Amplitudo

The Church is the body of Christ comprised of all genuine followers of Jesus Christ. That body is comprised of local churches, which are comprised of a regenerate membership of like-minded, genuine followers of Jesus Christ. That the Bible addresses both the general Body of Christ as well as individual congregations in the Epistles is self-evident and beyond dispute. No, the argument I made can't be applied to any other worldly religion. They do not possess the biblical congregational/relational model that the Church possesses either corporately or individually. The body of Christ is not composed of local churches, the body of Christ is composed of Christ's elect sheep. There are many goats within the church institution, to claim they are a part of the body of Christ simply because they are a member in good standing is a grievous error. Certainly, in many local churches can be found Christ's sheep, but the church needs the sheep, not the other way around. Do not be so heavy handed as to impose a post-reformation concept of a congregational church that has not only been impossible to maintain throughout most of history, but in most places in the world at this moment cannot be maintained due to persecution. Or are those dear believers who could not then, and cannot now, gather into organized churches second class citizens, outside the means of grace? Absolutely not. The body of Christ is people, not churches. I'm still interested to see you prove from Scripture your assertion that "local church" supersedes the individual child of Christ.

That isn't true. The Bible contains letters written to numerous local churches. Why would Paul be commissioned by God to start churches if they were unimportant or if being a part of them accomplishes nothing? Most mission work around the world is supported by local and/or independent congregations. Missionaries get their largest amout of support from either local churches or local and state denominational associations which are supported by local churches. Few missionaries are supported by individual people, as most individuals don't have enough money on their own to pay for all of the expenses a missionary encounters. Most local ministries that reach out to battered and abused women and children, pregnant teens, homeless and disabled people depend on support from area churches and without that support they would have to close their doors. When you are part of a local church, you can use the gifts God has given you in concert with other believers in ways that you could never do on your own. Your arms are longer, your tithes and offerings go further and you can make a bigger impact on the world for the Kingdom of God when you are plugged into a local church. Your resources are joined with the resources of others and that means that greater things can be done for the Kingdom as a body than can be done as an individual. Churches provide face-to-face accountability and fellowship/encouragement that no other medium of contact can match. There is no substitute for having a circle of friends in your local church to be there in body and spirit when you are facing tough times to come alongside you and lift you up and support you. For the purpose of discussion, please define your concept of "church" and then demonstrate it from Scripture through consistent exegesis. Let us not deal in opinion, but rather stand confident on the solid rock of truth that is the Word of God. The argument you have made for "church" could be applied to any wordly religion, be it Islam, Judiasim, Catholicism, etc. I prefer to rest in Scripture, not what sounds plausible and reasonable to man.

The signs were given to validate the authority of the apostles. It is not a consistent herminutic to look into Scripture and attempt to claim for ourselves today all that we see believers doing and accomplishing in history. Beyond that, there are zero confirmed reports of the signs given to the early church through spiritual gifts (healing, tongues, etc.) present in history after the early church or in the world today. Certainly, there are millions of claims, but none of them have ever been substantiated. Also, I am confident the verses belong.

There is only one "church" referenced in Scripture; the body of Christ. You are either a part of it, or you are not. Having your name on an official member roll of a local church accomplishes nothing. The argument, "But how do you submit to those who have authority over you without being a member?" is weak. The only authority any elder, teacher, or leader has is through the Word of God. If he can prove to you that you are in error, you submit regardless of what your ecclesastical affiliation is. I have been corrected by the writings and preaching of many men, past and present, of whom I will never meet and will never visit their churches.