The Local Church
Why is the Local Church so important to be saved?
According to Dr. John Piper Former Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN and Chancelor of Bethlehem Theological Seminary,, the Local Church is the last sign-post that God uses to direct lost and depraved sinners like you and me to seek refuge in His Son, the God-Man Jesus Christ. Throughout History, God sent prophets, judges, teachers, priests, and also Himself through the person and work of Jesus Christ to warn His Creation of a coming judgement of those who reject the love that has been poured out on a people who refuse to worship and adore Him. This rejection of God’s Love (sin) leads us to be eternally separated from Him in a place of real conscious torment known as hell. There will come a time when God’s Mercy will end, and the offer to repent and turn to God from our rejection of Him will close. Thus, judgement will come when God finally says: “Enough.” The Local Church stands as God’s final offer to humanity, pointing to the Kingdom of God which has been given to Jesus Christ as a gift from His Father. Those who believe in the name of Jesuss Christ and worship him in the local church will be saved and written down in eternity forever (Revelation 3:5;13:8; 20:5; and 21:27.) Those who entrust themselves to spiritual leaders (local pastors and elders) and the congregation of the local church (believers) for growth, fellowship, and honoring the name of God through his entire word (The Holy Bible) with each other as a family through their entire lives will be saved at the end of days when Jesus Christ returns for His Church (Matt. 24:26- 44; Luke 21: 25-28; John 5: 28-29; 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15: 51-52; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 5:1-3; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1;7, 19; 11; and 22:12). The Bible beckons people that true mercy is not just social action/social justice, but is rooted in rescuing people from being spiritually lost and headed to hell through the Cross of Christ, Jesus. This offer must be accepted now, before it is too late. For no one knows the day nor the hour of Jesus Christ’s return . And when he comes back, it will be too late.
Throughout Scripture, we see that the Local Church is the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10) throughout creation both in Heaven and on Earth and it is through the Local Church to demonstrate and show to the world the highest order of intelligence (1 Tim. 3:15). It is, thus, considered to be the pinnacle of God’s truth. Paul instructs Timothy to hold himself to the highest standards of doctrine to support the foundation and to defend the eternal truth of the Gospel. It is ordained to hold the truth of the gospel in this world (that Jesus Christ died for us that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ, God Himself and a real person in History, went and paid the price of death on a cross in place of those who deserve it- us.) The church will be God Almighty’s infinite Wisdom and Grace demonstrated on Earth. The Church is preparing for the return of Jesus Christ and it must be the highest work of creation from God who is above for His Glory to the rest of creation who rebelled against him and refused to trust in the love offered to them. Paul’s entire ministry was directed to the Local Church, the local assembly of believers in the first century. It was for the sake of real people gathered in real assemblies scattered throughout Asia Minor and Europe that Paul risked money, time, resources and his life for the sake of local people around these parts of the world. These people were not large in number, they were not wise according to the flesh, and they were not high society people, but Paul saw them and their gathering together as the sole means that the True and Living God was going to manifest His glory here on earth to both men and Angels (1 Peter 1:10-12) by saving them from destruction when he ends everything to rebuild a new at the end of time. Therefore we are urged throughout scripture to not neglect the assembling of believers gathered together (Hebrews 10:25). To neglect God’s greatest plan of saving a people for Himself to reveal His Glory would be both folly to Man (Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:6-8), and heartbreak for God (Genesis 6:6; Ezekiel 16; 33:11, Hos. 11:8; 2 Peter 3:9 and Luke 19:41) who has created you to have a living relationship with His Son whom he has promised to give all things for all times: Jesus Christ (Psalm 2; Phill. 2:8-11; Hebrews 1:1-4; Revelation 5:2). And in return, Jesus Christ will deliver the Kingdom of God (the Church- all of us) to His Father, God (1 Cor. 15:24) so that the body of believers will be one with God, forever.
Find a Local Church Near You:
LOOK FOR A LOCAL CHURCH WITH THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A Fundamental/Orthodox, entire Bible-Believing and Preaching Church, with a Missions emphasis on spreading the Gospel both locally and abroad.
Church Directory- The Gospel Coalition
Church Directory- The Master's Seminary