What The Relationship Of Congregations?
The term "church" is used in the New Testament to designate Christians in one community, or city. it is also used to include all Christians in a state, several provinces that may be designated. It is also used to include all Christians without any geographical boundaries named — all Christians on the earth.
1. The Christians in one city. (Acts 8:1.)
2. "The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace." (Acts 9:31.)
3. "I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18.) "He is the head of the body, the church." (Gal. 1:18.)
The treasurer of Queen Candace, was riding along the road in his chariot, reading from the book of Isaiah. He was reading aloud, and Philip, one of the Lord's preachers, hearing him, inquired: Understandeth thou what thou readest and he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth; In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: his generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from the same scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went down into the water; both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:30-38.)
You will take notice of the fact that the treasurer was baptized. The scriptures declare that believers are "baptized into one body." (1 Cor. 12:13.) The one body is the church — Christ "is the head of the body the church." (Eph. 1:18.)
Though the eunuch was baptized into the "one body," which is "the church," he was not a member of the local congregation in Jerusalem, nor in Corinth, for neither of the places knew of his baptism at the time of his baptism! He was not a member of either of the congregations named; but having been baptized into the "one body, the church," he was, of course a member of the church of Christ. May I use the term "universal, and say he was a member of the "universal" church of Christ? By this I mean the church in the aggregate, as distinguished from the local congregations, and was with all Christians in the church of Christ without regard to geographical limitation.
It must be learned from the foregoing that one can be in the church of Christ, without being a member of a local congregation. (I will not discuss "local congregation" in this connection.)
The promised kingdom mentioned in Daniel 2:44, has been established, and of it Jehovah said: "It shall not be destroyed." The church Christ promised to build, has been built, and the gates of hell "shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18, 19.) The church existed in the days of the apostles, as did the kingdom. (Acts 8:1; Col. 1:13.) The church that Christ built and the kingdom promised in Daniel 2:44 are co-extensive, as a church the ones "called out" by the gospel, and obedient thereto, are the church, and in becoming members of the church, they at the same time were born again, and became citizens of the kingdom. As related to the world, Christians are "called out" of the world, morally and spiritually, as relates to the government of God, they are citizens in the kingdom.
The congregation in "A" is engaged in a series, of meetings, which resulted in five additions; at the same time the local congregation in "B" is engaged in a meeting in which five were baptized. Neither of the congregations knew the other was engaged a meeting. Presuming each congregation preached the gospel: were they not cooperating in the work of the Lord? Though each congregation was increased by five new members, is it not true that the church in the "universal" use of the term, was increased by ten new members?
Some time ago, a congregation divided. Each claimed the property. There was a suit in the courts of the land over the ownership of the property. I was a witness in the court. Each side had an attorney. One of the lawyers said to me. "Mr. Nichol, I understand the teaching of the churches of Christ on the matter of autonomy of each local congregation; but I ask you: What relationship is there between the congregation of Church of Christ in Coleman, Texas and the congregation in this town?" The question was pointed. Brother, what should my answer have been? What would you have answered, had you been the "witness," on the stand being questioned by the attorney? Will you please do me the kindness to write me a personal letter, telling me the relationship between the congregations, presuming, of course, that each congregation was faithful in serving the Lord?
I thank each one, in advance, who writes me. I am anxious to hear from you — preachers, as well as others.