The "universal church"

Wow... I am sure that this will not win me any friends but I do feel the need to write on it. I am not going to say anything new. I am sure that I will say nothing that has not already been said many times. I would however like to look at this topic of a "universal church". The idea of the "universal church" is an underlying root cause for a lot of problems in the church. There is this idea that floats around out there that intentional or not undermines and robs the local church its God given scriptural authority. It gives people the mindset that "I am a member of the (universal) church." and they feel NO need to submit themselves to the local church. This is a shame. In addition to this it gets people looking to a man made structure such as a pope, a council, an association, a convention, or what ever instead of the local church. NONE of those things were established in scripture, but the local church is. I know that people will get all uptight and rail accusations such as "then you are saying that unless you belong to a local church you are not a member of the church and then I can not be saved unless I am a member of a local church." Or that I must not believe in the assembly of the saints from the ages of all tounges and tribes and nations. These are so silly that it is even hard for me to respond. Any one that knows me knows that I do NOT believe that "church membership" in a local church saves ANYONE, and I absolutly believe in the assembly of the saint with the Lord in eternity. There is NO authority given to a "universal church" it is easy to be part of things that we do not have to submit ourselves to, but is what is easy always right? No. There is no bishop, elder, or deacon of a "universal church". There is authority given to the local church and people would do well to look at the scripture regarding these things...


1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.


Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

I am not talking about lording authority over the flock... I am talking about authority and order and the issue of being in unity and of one mind. May God help us to get back to these scriptural concepts.

1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

May God bless,

John Lane