The Church at ?(insert any town or city)

[Guest]

Hello Everyone,

I was doing some reading last night and came across a "teaching" that there should only be one "church" in a town or city. I suppose, in the same way the letters were addressed to various churches...at Rome, at Collose, etc etc. One of the reasons given that this is how it should be was because of denominational differences...a division in the Body of Christ. Personally, I find this very intriguing, worth a bit more reading and studying.

I'm curious if anyone else has heard of this teaching and if so, would care to share their thoughts about it.

Thank you,

God bless,

Randal

[Matthitjah]

The term Catholic applies to the thought that you are trying to express. Mind you, it has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church as now constitued.

[Guest]

The term Catholic applies to the thought that you are trying to express. Mind you, it has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church as now constitued.

Thank you. I do understand that catholic speaks of the universal church of which Jesus Christ is the head and we(the believers) are His body. I could of been more clearer. This teaching I was referring to is talking about the local "church." This is what intrigues me, for example,...New York City? Would that not be one large "church?" Ahhh maybe I'm gettting to far ahead of myself. I appreciate your reply, thank you.

[Guest]

I should of done this in my first post. I apologize for not doing it. Here is the information I read concerning the "church."

The Two Aspects of the Church

Watchman Nee saw that the church is both universal and local. In the entire universe there is only one church, the church of God (1 Cor. 10:32). This unique church is expressed in many localities on earth, and in each locality it is a local church. The universal church is composed of all the local churches, and the local churches are the practical expression of the universal church. In Matthew 16:18, the universal church is revealed, whereas in Matthew 18:17, we see the local church. Without the local churches, there is no way to participate in the universal church, and there is no way to have a practical church life. In the book of Acts, in the Epistles, and in Revelation, the church is expressed as local churches, i.e., the church in Jerusalem, the church in Antioch, the church in Ephesus, etc. The government of the church is not universal but local.

Denominationalism

At the same time he received revelation concerning the church, Watchman Nee also saw the error of denominationalism. Denominations divide the Body of Christ into many organizations. This is condemned in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 1:11-13).

In a way, this makes perfect sense, in another way, it seems that to accomplish this would be quite a challenge.

[Guest man]

I should of done this in my first post. I apologize for not doing it. Here is the information I read concerning the "church."

The Two Aspects of the Church

Watchman Nee saw that the church is both universal and local. In the entire universe there is only one church, the church of God (1 Cor. 10:32). This unique church is expressed in many localities on earth, and in each locality it is a local church. The universal church is composed of all the local churches, and the local churches are the practical expression of the universal church. In Matthew 16:18, the universal church is revealed, whereas in Matthew 18:17, we see the local church. Without the local churches, there is no way to participate in the universal church, and there is no way to have a practical church life. In the book of Acts, in the Epistles, and in Revelation, the church is expressed as local churches, i.e., the church in Jerusalem, the church in Antioch, the church in Ephesus, etc. The government of the church is not universal but local.

Denominationalism

At the same time he received revelation concerning the church, Watchman Nee also saw the error of denominationalism. Denominations divide the Body of Christ into many organizations. This is condemned in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 1:11-13).

In a way, this makes perfect sense, in another way, it seems that to accomplish this would be quite a challenge.

The gate that leads to life is narrow and there are few who find it.

[~candice~]

Watchman Nee is someone I would avoid. His teachings are mingled with mysticism. Check out the article on him at apologetics websites. As for whether or not there should only be one church per town, there is.

Eph 4

¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Just because they don't meet as one super congregation, doesn't mean they aren't part of the 'one body'. I presume that even in the early church, not all gatherings were every christian of the town together at the same time. Or more clearly, there is nothing wrong with a part assembly.

The argument would then need to define what a town is. In a group of a million people the church would be massive and it would be a logistical nightmare to have only one assembly.

[Matthitjah]

I get you now. You're talking about Watchman Nee and the Local Church. That actually is a denomination. There was Mod who serves here named Ovedya. He is a member of the Local Church.

I have one of Nee's books. "The Normal Christian Life." It's quite good.

[~candice~]

You can read the book here:

http://www.worthychristianlibrary.com/the-normal-christian-life-by-watchman-nee/

See the apologetics index article on him here:

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/n01.html

[j102]

is it just me or does anyone else notice that most pastors dont like it when a member of there church hangs out and fellowships with people from other churches, especially if its another denomination? as i see it that goes against what scripture teaches.

[~candice~]

is it just me or does anyone else notice that most pastors dont like it when a member of there church hangs out and fellowships with people from other churches, especially if its another denomination? as i see it that goes against what scripture teaches.

Most? All the pastors I have been under have actively sought unity between congregations in the same town. The one I am at now even has women's bible studies in the same place and time for 4 local churches.