WHY THE CHURCH IS LOCAL AND NOT UNIVERSAL

By Edwin Jardinel

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Part 1 - The meaning of Church and the Body of Christ.

Q.1
The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means _________. *

Q.2
The English word "universal" comes from the Greek word "katholikos" which means __________. *

Q.3
Hebrews 2: 12 is Christ's quotation from Psalms 22:22, and the word church is translated as _________ in that exactly the same statement. *

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
(Hebrews 2:12)

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
(Psalms 22:22)

Q.4
The Greek word ekklesia is found in Acts 19:32,39,&41, and they were translated as __________ *

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
(Acts 19:32)

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
(Acts 19:39)

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
(Acts 19:41)

Q.5
When Christ said, "I will build my church" the Greek word of church is "ekklesia" and though it is a collective noun, it is _________ in form. *

The Greek word for churches is ekklisies (plural). Ekklesia is the Greek word used in the passage.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:18)

Q.6
Christ did not build two kinds of churches *

The Greek word for churches is ekklisies (plural). Ekklesia is the Greek word used in the passage and it is singular.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:18)

Q.7
Paul used the word _______________ because there are more than one churches in Asia. *

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
(1 Corinthians 16:19)

Q.8
There ___________ in the house of Aquila and Priscillla. *

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
(1 Corinthians 16:19)

Q.9
When Christ said, "I will build my church", he was talking about ______________. *

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:18)

Q.10
Christ built denominational churches *

Q.11
Christ's church was commanded to execute the commission and produce other churches but they are to be the same kind of churches. *

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:19-20)

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
(Acts 16:5)

Q.12
The church is ________________ *

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(1 Corinthians 1:2)

Q.13
The church mentioned in Acts 8:1-3 was under persecution and they do not have a particular location. *

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
(Acts 8:1-3)

Q.14
"And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was _____________." *

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
(Acts 8:1-3)

Q.15
Would the church suffer persecution if it is invisible? *

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
(Acts 8:1-3)

Q.16
If the word "church" means all believers, is it possible to gather all the believers in this world in one particular location?

Q.17
Is it possible for the whole church to be gathered together? *

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
(1 Corinthians 14:23)

Q.18
Did Christ establish a church in order to preserve the right doctrines? *

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
(Matthew 5:13)

Q.19
Is the church a pillar and ground of the truth? *

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
(1 Timothy 3:15)

Q.20
What is being referred to as the manifold wisdom of God? *

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
(Ephesians 3:10)

Q.21
The very heart and core of ecumenism is the universal church idea. *

Q.22
Can the universal church uphold the truth? *

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
(Philippians 2:16)

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
(1 Timothy 1:19)

Q.23
What church could execute the great commission, to go preach, baptize and teach all things the Lord commanded? *

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Q.24
Can the universal church commemorate the Lord's Supper? *

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
(Matthew 26:26-30)

Q.25
Concerning church discipline, can a brother tell the church if the church is invisible and universal? *

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Matthew 18:15-17)

Q.26
The universal church is ______________ *

Q.27
Paul used the word "body" to illustrate a ______________ church. *

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
(1 Corinthians 12:18-22)

Q.28
A great functionless body is like a ______. *

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
(Ecclesiastes 9:4)

Q.29
A body is an organism occupying space and has _____________. *

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
(Revelation 2:1)

Q.30
That there should be ___________ *

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
(1 Corinthians 12:25)

Q.31
God has _____________ *

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
(1 Corinthians 12:24)

Q.32
You _____________ demonstrate care to other members if the church is invisible and universal *

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
(1 Corinthians 12:25)

Q.33
The word "body" or "body of Christ" is an analogy of __________. *

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(1 Corinthians 12:12)

Q.34
Paul encouraged cooperation, unity, and the use of their spiritual gifts in the _________ as he used the analogy "body of Christ". *

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(1 Corinthians 12:12)

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:4)
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
(Philippians 2:1-2)

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
(Romans 12:5-6)

Q.35
Name *


Q.36
Email Address: *