Many fail to see the distinction the Bible makes between the local church and the individual Christian. Some argue that since the church is made up of individual Christians, whatever they do, it also equals the church doing it. This argument is not well thought out and leads to some ridiculous conclusions.

  • When the individual Christian gets married, is the local church also getting married?
  • When the individual Christian kisses their spouse, is the local church also kissing their spouse?
  • When the individual Christian votes, is the local church also voting?
  • When the individual Christian sins, is the local church also sinning?
  • When the individual Christian starts a business, is the local church also starting a business?

Contrasting the Christian and the Local Church

  • Domestic Distinctions
    • Read 1 Corinthians 7:2, Ephesians 6:1-4, and 1 Timothy 5:8. What can individuals do in this realm?
    • What different set of instructions are given to the local church in this realm (1 Timothy 5:16)?
  • Economic Distinctions
    • Read Acts 18:1-3, Ephesians 4:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:10. What can individuals do in this realm?
    • What different set of instructions are given to the local church in this realm (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)?
  • Benevolence Distinctions
    • Read Matthew 25:31-46 and James 1:27. What can individuals do in this realm?
    • What different set of instructions are given to the local church in this realm (1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Romans 15:25-26; Acts 11:29-30)?
  • Spiritual Distinctions
    • Read Galatians 6:1-2 and Matthew 18:15-16. What responsibilities are given to individuals in this realm?
    • What different set of instructions are given to the local church in this realm (Matthew 18:17)?
  • Social Distinctions
    • Read Acts 2:46 and 1 Corinthians 10:27. What can individuals do in this realm?
    • What different set of instructions are given to the local church in this realm (1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 34)?

Fellowship Distinctions

  • Fellowship with God
    • What did the Lord know about some disciples at Sardis (Revelation 3:4)?
    • Was Saul in fellowship with God even though he was initially denied fellowship in the Jerusalem church (Acts 9:26; 1 John 1:3)?
    • Was John in fellowship with God even though he was not accepted by Diotrephes (3 John 9-11)?
  • Fellowship with the Church
    • Was the immoral brother in fellowship with God even though he was in fellowship with the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:1-13)?
    • Was Diotrephes in fellowship with God even though he was in fellowship with a local church (3 John 9-11)?
    • Was “Jezebel” in fellowship with God even though she was being tolerated by the church at Thyatira (Revelation 3:2:18-23)?