Principles for the Local Church

2006-12-04

The following are four critical principles for the Church and why they are valid. What needs to be true of the church, regardless of time period or culture?

The local church has a doxological and theocentric purpose. The purpose of creation throughout all of history is to bring glory to God (Psalm 19:1; John 17; Revelation 4:11). The local church’s (body of Christ’s) main purpose is very much the same (Ephesians 3:21). Because of this fundamental aspect of the church, all other criteria will be related to this primary goal. It is also important to keep this in mind since it is very easy to become humanistic in one’s thinking. Does the principle advocate that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, with its members abiding in Him (John 15)?

The doctrine of the local church is derived solely from the Holy Scriptures. Nothing in the church’s life, activity, or philosophy should contradict the Word of God. It is especially important to keep the main tenets of the Faith in the center: Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven (1 Corinthians 15). It is by faith alone in what Christ has already done that one can be saved and have abundant, eternal life (John 3:36).

The members of the local church ought to seek edification of the entire body. Are the spiritual gifts, knowledge, and actions of the people used toward the goal of loving other people or are they seeking praise from others (Leviticus 19:18; John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:12)? Loving one’s neighbor is what Jesus declares as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39).

The local church is God’s primary witness to the world during the current age. God is using His church to preach the Gospel to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). It is His desire that all people everywhere will hear about His salvation and worship Him (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 96:3; Revelation 5:9).