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MEMORY VERSE

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 KJV

“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing; but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25, NIV

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INTRODUCTION

The local church may be defined as a congregation of faithful believers in Christ Jesus, in any given community, who, being baptized in spirit and water, unite themselves voluntarily together in
accordance with the principles, precepts, and purposes of Christ as established in the New
Testament.

Whenever the early Christians entered new territories and won people to Christ; local churches
were established. People were brought together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Hence, we

read about the churches at Corinth, Jerusalem, Antioch, and so forth. These churches were
established to meet the needs of those particular Christian communities. It was here that they
could be nurtured into mature Christians as they drew strength from fellow members of the body
and, at the same time, contributed to the expansion of the church themselves.

No less is expected of the local church today. As new converts are won to Christ, it is our duty to
channel them into a local body of believers in a Christ-centered church, where they can be
nurtured spiritually and socially as they grow into mature Christians. Therefore below, the writer
will explore some of the basic functions of the local church today.

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Basic Functions Of The Local Church

1. To Provide First a Basic and Then an In-Depth Knowledge of God’s Word.

1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 3:17-19

Here, the church plays a dual role in the believer's life. It is called upon to be both the family and
educator. For example, in the natural family, a child first receives nourishment, which enables him
to grow while sensing love affection from those who care for him. Later on, the child is instructed
and educated in the things that will make him useful in life as he grows into a mature individual.
The same holds true in the spiritual world. The local church is to nourish and instruct believers in
the Word of God. It is the word that perpetuates spiritual growth. No wonder the Apostle Paul
spent so much time teaching the “babes” encouraging the disciples in the early church.
He spent a considerable amount of time in Antioch and various other communities, teaching the
new Christians and later returning to strengthen the disciples’ souls while admonishing them to
keep the faith.

Beyond doubt, Paul was ultimately concerned that the believers be provided with not just a basic
knowledge of the word but a more in-depth knowledge of God’s truth. Many times, when Paul
could not go to the believers himself, he sent other apostles. Aside from this to make sure those
early churches were being continuously fed the gospel; Paul put it in writing. He sent letters to the
Corinthians, the Galatians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Thessalonians.

2. To Provide Fellowship Among the Believers Colossians 3:12-16

Where, if not in the local church, will the believers be able to receive wholesome fellowship? Only
in settings where people are motivated by the same spirit and same life will they be able to
experience opportunities for sharing and exchanging true communion. One of the early Christians’ true characteristics was that they continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s Doctrine and fellowship.  Over and over in the Epistles, we find such expressions as: “Love one another, teach one another, edify one another”, encourage one another, and so forth. So, one of the greatest privileges the church can provide here below is a true fellowship which we, too, will someday enjoy in the presence of the Lord.

3. To Prepare and Equip Members for Christian Service: 2 Timothy 2:15.

It has never been God’s plan for the members of Christ’s body to depend on one or even several
designated Leaders to do the work of the ministry. Rather, He intends for the “Whole Body” to do
His work according to the measure of the gift of Christ that has been bestowed upon each person.  Consequently, when one becomes a disciple, it is his job to then be instrumental in helping to make other disciples. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the local church to equip its members to serve.

4. To help believers develop quality family life: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Colossians 3:18-21

The family unit has occupied a central place in the Bible throughout the ages, both in the Old and
New Testaments. Husbands and wives need to be instructed on how to grow in their relationships, even as the church grows in its relationship with Christ. Parents also must be instructed on how to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is a proven fact that strong Christian families make strong institutions. The same is true in church. If members of the family as a whole don’t know how to relate to each other, how can we expect good fellowship on the church level? Therefore, the church must take a strong stand in helping to build solid family units. This is especially true at a time when we are experiencing widespread disintegration of the family in our nation. Interestingly, both educators and sociologists agree that when families are not strong, all avenues of service in our nation suffer. Certainly, one of the greatest contributions the local church can make to the home, church, and consequently to the nation is to help produce healthy, strong, Christ-centered family units.

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​Questions​​

1. Can you name some other basic functions the local church should provide?
2. How would you respond to people who feel they can be all God intended them to be without
belonging to a local church?
3. Why is fellowship so important among believers?
4. What does it mean to be “babes in Christ?”
5. Is it possible for a person to belong to a church for many, many years and still be a “babe in
Christ?”
6. Can the church have so many activities that it weakens rather than builds Strong family units?

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