THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF LOCAL CHURCHES

By Gary Ray Branscome

Every believer has a responsibility to find a congregation in which the gospel is faithfully taught, or to start one.

Christ said, “Feed my sheep,” and His sheep are not fed spiritually, “By bread… but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” including those words proclaimed through good Biblical preaching (John 21:16, Matthew 4:4). That is why the Bible tells us that, God has chosen to save those who believe, “Through the foolishness of preaching” (1Corinthians 1:21). It is by preaching that the seed of faith is planted, and “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). Of that seed, Paul’s words, “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase,” tell us that just as God uses preaching to plant the seed of faith in our heart, He uses it to water and nourish our faith, enabling us to grow spiritually (1Corinthians 3:6). And, through it all we are, “Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1Peter 1:5). That is why the Apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, organized congregations, ordained elders, and gathered believers into those congregations, and that is why we need to be in church (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, Acts 2:47, Acts 15:41 and 16:5, 1Corinthians 1:10).

The words, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and to the breaking of bread, and to prayers,” describe the actions of those filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42). And, the words, “Let us be concerned about one another and so promote love and good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the habit of some is; but encouraging one another,” tell us that those who are led by the Spirit of God will want to be with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Within the congregation, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, for you have been called to peace as one body in Christ; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; as you teach and counsel one another singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to the Lord, with grace in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15-16).