The Necessity of the Local Church (Part b)

The Acts of the Apostles
The Growth and Expansion of the Church in Jerusalem

Parenthesis: Why the Church? (2)


Christianity vs the Local Church

Why the Local Church is Not Necessary
Why the Local Church is Necessary
●Believers are addressed as part of gathered communities of saints
●The execution of the “one another” exhortations
●The fact of Jesus’ resurrection
●The believer’s responsibility to submit to their elders
●The mission of the church

●The believer’s responsibility to submit to their elders
○keep watchkeep awake, be awake; keep alert, be alert
○givegive, give back, sell, repay
●The command to attend church in person
1.The Context of the Command: The Sacrifice of Christ
2.The Basis of the Command: The Priesthood of Christ
○confidencefearless, boldness
○inauguratedgo into effect, put into effect
3.The Command: The Way of Christ
a.The Nature of These Exhortations
b.A Desire for Greater Intimacy with God
c.An Intent to Persevere in Our Faith
d.A Commitment to Draw out Jesus’ Life from Others within the Local Fellowship
1)The Nature of the Duty
○considerto direct one’s mind towards
○stimulateto stir to anger
to incite
2)The Place of the Duty
○forsakingabandon
○habitcustom, practice