By Larry Rosenbaum
A few years ago, I read an article titled “Why I am not a member of a ‘local church.’ ” The editor prefaced the article: “We would like to have been able to print letters from readers in defense of the traditional church norms, if such can be done biblically. However, thus far, no champion has yet arisen to vindicate the institutional churches from the biblical challenges raised.”
The writer of the article basically argued that the various local churches he has seen have all been unbiblical in their structure, run by unbiblical leaders, and not holding to a biblical standard. Therefore, he should not join himself to them. He began with elders, noting that the Bible says that elders must be blameless, the husband of one wife, self‑controlled, hospitable, etc. He does not believe the elders of the various churches he has visited meet these requirements.
Next he went into the order of church services in light of 1 Corin. 14:26. “Where is it to be found that one man is to dominate a gathering of saints?” His conclusion is that the various churches he has visited are not true New Testament churches but worldly religious clubs. “You wish me to become a part of a local church? Gladly! A local religious group? No!”
I agree with many of the author’s criticisms of many local church fellowships. Often, elders are ordained who do not meet biblical standards. Often, there are unbiblical practices. But what does the New Testament say about our involvement in an organized Church fellowship? Hebrews 10:24‑25 says “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” Later we read, “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your soul” (Heb. 13:17). If I am not part of local church, there is nobody who has rule over me, watching for my soul. Therefore, I cannot obey this command.
How does the New Testament describe the “assembling of ourselves together” which some have forsook? In Acts 1 we see 120 believers gathered in an upper room. At the end of Acts 2, we read “they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house….” In Acts 5 we read “and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch” and “daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” In Acts 6 they appointed seven deacons.
I don’t have space to go into everything the New Testament has to say about church life, but it is clear that the “assembling of ourselves together” described in Acts and the epistles involved organized meetings, ordaining of elders and deacons, and church discipline.
What should we do if we see things that are unbiblical in our fellowship? There was plenty wrong with the Corinthian church. They argued about whether they should follow Paul or Apollos. One of their members was involved in fornication. They were suing one another in court. They used the spiritual gifts improperly. They took communion improperly. Paul wrote the church to correct them. But he never suggested that people should leave the church — even if the elders did not obey his instructions.
What are we to do about unbiblical practices in our fellowship? 1 Tim. 5 says, “Rebuke not an elder but intreat him as a father.” We can, in humility, bring these matters to our church elders. We must pray for them. Other than that, you can either stay or find a different fellowship that is more biblical. That option did not exist in the early church. At that time, all fellowships submitted to the same leaders ‑‑ the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 16:4).
Most cities in the U.S. have at least one biblical fellowship. But you might live in a small town or rural area where there is no fellowship that can truly be called Christian. Stay away from fellowships whose leaders deny the basic tenets of the faith, are not walking right with God, or are abusing their authority (1 Peter 5:3). If God has called you to live in a place where there is no true “church,” He probably wants you to help start one by gathering together the true believers in your area and bringing others to Christ.
