Importance of Local Churches (Congregation of Believers)

The Word “Church” has fantastic meanings and the root words are exciting. The original word for Church was ‘Kuriakose.’  This word is composed of two elements, ‘Kurois’ means Lord, and ‘akos’ means a possession or belonging. Thus, Kuriakose means belonging to the Lord.  Many assume that the Church is derived from the Greek word ‘ecclesia’, but it is not true. The English word Church descends from the old English word cirice’ which is derived from the Greek word ‘Kuriakose’,  a possessive word of Kurios, Kuriakose simply means belonging to the Lord. 

Apostles could have used this word in the New Testament, but appears only twice in the New Testament and the word Ecclesia is used almost 115 times. Ecclesia does not mean ‘belonging to the Lord.’ The word Kuriakose has a proximity and warmness. Since the word church has a spiritual connotation that the Church belongs to the Lord. But Ecclesia stands different. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible gives a fantastic description. “In comparison with the other term Ecclesia is relatively neutral and colourless, conveying little theological meaning. It was open to use without a basic shift in meaning by unbeliever as well as by believers”

Bible dictionaries, lexicons, and commentaries agree that Ecclesia means "called out,” and generally implies an assembly of people. It lacks qualitative implication to anything either secular or spiritual. It describes anything that might be happening within a community that requires an assembly. This assembly could be social, governmental, or religious. It could be legal or illegal. 

It is essential to see the Hebrew word used for the Church. One of the popular Hebrew words used for Church is ‘qahal.” From this word ‘synagogue’ originated. Its usual translation is ‘congregation’ or assembly. Another similar word used for Church is “Edah.” These two words are simultaneously used for Congregation, assembly, synagogue, or Church, but, mean nothing more than the Greek term Ecclesia. Though Ecclesia is often used in the New Testament for the Church, the word Kuriakose is more adequate and exclusive because it feels a warmness and proximity to the Lord.

The Church was a mystery to the Saints of the past. It was hidden to Enoch who walked with the Lord three hundred years. It was not revealed to Abraham who was the friend of God. It has not conversed to Moses who confronted the Lord face to face. It was not intimated to David who was known as the man after God’s own heart. It was not revealed any renowned Prophets whom God has disclosed to them from the eternity past till eternity future. But it was revealed to us through Jesus Christ who was born as the son of God in the virgin Mary in the fullness of Time.

The Christian Church refers to the collective body of believers who follow Jesus Christ. It encompasses various denominations and doctrines, but it represents all individuals who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, and who follow the precepts of the Scripture.  The Church is one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic, as expressed in the Nicene Creed. It includes both the visible institutions where God’s Word is preached and the invisible body of all truly saved believers. There are views like universal Church, local Church, visible Church, and invisible Church, yet the Church is one and catholic in nature. 

It is indispensable to define universal and local church. “The universal church is a heavenly and eschatological assembly of everyone—past, present, and future—who belongs to Christ’s new covenant and kingdom.” A local church is a mutually affirming group of new covenant members and kingdom citizens, identified by regularly gathering in Jesus’ name through preaching the gospel and celebrating the ordinances. In other words, the local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to Scripture, they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of baptism and communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and to fulfil the great commission of Jesus Christ.

Why is the local church important? The local church is important because it is ordained by God. It is the channel through which God brings His Kingdom to the earth. The local church makes up the global church. Local churches are advisable based on the scripture. There were churches at Jerusalem, Galatia, Antioch, Corinth, and Macedonia, but they were harmoniously linked and united.

A local church may be large or small and have different weekly schedules and other distinctive differences, but every local church is defined by the presence of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. It is the Lord and His promised presence that makes a church different from any other gathering of people or organizations. (Mat 18:20)

The local church plays a vital role in the lives of believers. Though the universal church exists, primarily the local church reflects the activities and features of the church. The local church is incredibly important to God, which is why He made Christ the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). He addressed specific local churches through the apostles. The local church grows when we love one another (Ephesians 4:15-16). The local church is where we use our gifts to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 12:1-31). The local church is designed to be the place where we regularly worship (Hebrews 10:25). The local church helps to restore us when we are broken (Galatians 6:1-3). The local church is where we fall under the authority of the elders (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 5:17). Local churches support, fund, and make possible missions, ministries, and outreaches to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Church helps us to spread love and the gospel across the globe and to bring light to a world in moral darkness. The Church helps us to maintain organization, and teachings, and to create a support system for members. By establishing a church, the Lord ensures that the correct doctrines are taught. Moreover, the local church is where believers are equipped for ministry. In the same way that they need each other to develop personally, they need one another to develop the community around them. God gives the Body of Christ and the spiritual gifts to equip the saints.

To sum up, the following features will rectify the significance of the local church.

• Fellowship and Connection: The local church connects believers. It is not just about attending services; it is about opening homes, sharing possessions, and experiencing joy together.

• Spiritual Growth: In the local church, Christians learn doctrine, receive reproof, and train in righteousness. It provides growth opportunities that are unavailable elsewhere.

• Worship and Unity: The purpose of the local church is to worship Christ in unity. It is also a place where sound doctrine is taught, and believers are trained.

• Community Transformation: The local church impacts its community by caring for widows, orphans, and those in need. It serves as a standard for direction in the world.

Remember, the local church is not just a building; it is a vibrant community where believers grow, serve, and impact lives.