We have bible studies and my Pastor is always telling us about a big movement for universal church. The big invisible body of believers.
We believe in Local church. We have authority over ourselves, and dont answer to a higher up. Our church is the body of Christ. Each member being a part of the body. Another local church is another body of Christ.
Just wondering how big it is, and how many people are believing it, and why.
2007-07-10 18:32:54 · 6 answers · asked by Bl3ss3dw1thL1f3 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
But then why did Paul write to the individual churches? Why did Jesus speak to each individual church in Revelation. If they were one big body, why did he speak individually to them?
2007-07-10 18:40:13 · update #1
I'm not sure what you mean about a "universal" church. There is one church, and one head of the church, Jesus Christ. All born again Christians are members of that "church".
2007-07-10 18:42:12 · answer #1 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are two different things. Those local churches preaching Christ are the local churches. If I get your meaning on the 'universal church' you are talking about all of the body of Christ. Paul talked about that too.
Romans 12:5
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
And so we belong to the body, the body of Christ.
I would refer you to study the formation of the word 'church' in the way it is used in English. As I understand it, it meant 'out called ones ' . So it was not a building, or 'going to church', but those who were being called out from their homes to a Christian meeting were called out and then they would gather. They were the 'out called ones'.
2007-07-10 18:48:05 · answer #2 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our body is the Church.
Jesus resides in us, not a building.
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2007-07-10 18:37:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All believers are part of the body of Christ. There is only one body of Christ; therefore only one body of believers.
2007-07-10 18:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by JonB 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By universal church, i belive he is refering to churches that tell people what they want to hear, not God's Word!
2007-07-10 18:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/06/05/the-vitality-of-religion-to-salvation/
2007-07-10 18:37:42 · answer #6 · answered by magic eye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋