What is a local church?

I have said it before, and I will declare it again! The best expression of Christian fellowship is within a Bible believing local church. You may already know our English word "church" is from the German word "kirke". It is translated from the Greek word "ecclesia", meaning "a called out assembly". In the Bible it is sometimes used together with a specific place, for example: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth..." (1Cor. 1:2; cf. Acts 8:1). It has also been used in the plural tense, which indicates that there was more than one church in any given area (e.g. "...unto the churches of Galatia:” Gal. 1:2; cf. Rev. 1:4)

“What is a local church?” I’m glad you asked. A local church is a called out assembly of Bible believers. Those who by God’s grace have been born again (the Bible calls us saints), and meet together with pastors and deacons (Phil. 1:1). The purpose of a local church is to glorify God through edifying the saints and evangelizing the lost. This includes: public worship of God, teaching and preaching the Word of God, the observance of the ordinances of the church, and sending out missionaries (Acts 2:41-47; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Jude 3; 2Tim. 2:2; Acts 5:42; Acts13:1-3).

If you are born again, you need to be a part of a local, Bible believing church. It is not only nice to be a part of a lively local church, it is also necessary for your own personal growth and it is the best expression of Christian fellowship.