Use Your Bible ......
DIFFERENCES IN THE UNIVERSAL AND "LOCAL" CHURCH
Even a casual reading of the New Testament shows various applications of the word "church". "I will build my church" --- "the church, which is His body" --- "Unto Him be glory in the church" -- all, obviously, refer to the one universal church. (Matt. 16:18 Eph. 1:23 Eph. 3:21)
But "tell it to the church" --- "elders in every church" -- and "let not the church be charged" as clearly refer to the local or organized congregation, of which there are many. (Matt. 18:17 Acts 14:23 1 Tim. 5:16)
Apparently it is not so clear, however, that the differences in these is something more than size and number. Stuyd the differences listed below, and when you have grasped the significance (exemplified in some conclusions we have drawn) you will be able to add other "points" to this list.
Universal Church Local Church In both heaven and earth.
Eph. 3:15 Earthly, limited
Phil. 1:1 The Lord "adds" members.
Acts 2:47 We "join" ourselves to.
Acts 9:26 Entered by baptism.
1 Cor. 12:13 By agreement fellow-saints
3 Jn. 10 All saints are here.
Gal. 3:27 Certain saints here.
1 Cor. 1:2 None but the saved.
2 Tim. 2:19 Some "not of us" here.
1 Jn. 2:19 One Shepherd only. Matt. 23:8 Lesser Shepherds here.
1 Pet. 5:2 Assembled figuratively.
Heb. 12:23 Literally assemble.
1 Cor. 14:23 Satan can't prevail agnst.
Matt. 16:18 Can and does prevail.
Rev 2:5
A RELATIONSHIP OF SAINTS WITH GOD. A RELATIONSHIP OF SAINTS WITH SAINTS.
The universal church is a relationship of individuals with God, that comes first, and exists regardless of what men do or say (3 Jn. 9-10) as long as the individuals walk in God's truth. The local church is an additional tie, of saints with saints, which God wishes us to take in order that we may function as an organized unit --- function collectively --- to carry out His divine purposes.