“1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you {those affiliated with the local church at Ephesus and, respectively, all members within all local churches} that ye walk worthy of the vocation {the priesthood of all believers} wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting {complete equipping} of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect {completeness in spiritual growth, mental knowledge, and moral character} man, unto the measure of the stature {maturity; i.e., to be like Christ} of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love {with the intent of helping others grow in grace rather than merely condemning them and their sin}, may grow up into him {spiritual growth to become a little Christ; the body; the local church as a body of believers grows to be in proportion to its adult head; i.e. Christ} in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

     There is considerable Scriptural evidence that there are both visible, local churches and that there is a presently invisible, Church of the future being built for the Kingdom Age. However, it is critical to discern Dispensationally which of these two a Scripture text is referring to lest we confuse God’s commands within various texts. Often, both are in view. To begin with, the visible local church is the functional, governing entity for believers during the Church Age. Visible local church membership is comprised of individuals with a testimony of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. They must also be baptized by immersion thereby signifying an identification and accountability to other believers who have already covenanted together to daily die to their Sin Natures and live to the glory of God. In this covenant, they agree together to submit themselves to God’s ordained governance of Pastoral administration and congregational polity. Another aspect of this covenant is their commitment to be discipled so as to become able and effective in doing “the work of the ministry.” To not formally be part of a covenant accountability with other believers of like precious faith within a locality is completely foreign to the Scriptural pattern.

     Visible, local churches receive individuals into their membership (covenant group) by a testimony of salvation and by being water baptized, agreeing to, and committing to, mutual accountability to the Covenant and doctrinal statement of faith (a brief outline of beliefs from the Word of God). Since a local church (covenant group) is comprised of its members and administrated by a Pastor called of God, each local church examines those wanting to affiliate regarding these specifics. This examination is critical in the spiritual dynamic of God’s blessings upon a local church in that every person within that covenant group now forms a family unit that God views collectively. If one person within the covenant group lives in unrepentant and unconfessed sin, the whole of the local church is held accountable before God until the failure is corrected.

     Therefore, local church discipline becomes a major aspect of accountability within the covenant group and part of congregational polity. It is the responsibility of the whole covenant group (local church) to hold one another accountable to their covenant before God. It becomes the responsibility of the corporate covenant group (local church) to evaluate the genuineness of a person’s salvation testimony and the continuing and ongoing reality of each person’s commitment to live out the covenant agreement made initially in their individual water baptism and as outlined within the local church covenant. Failure to maintain a proper testimony in any area of life constitutes a need to re-examine a person’s testimony and his/her local church membership. This too becomes a congregational responsibility.

     The invisible, yet future Church is being built from every soul saved from the Day of Pentecost to the second coming (Tribulation martyrs will be resurrected at the second coming and rule with Christ and His Church during the Kingdom Age). The invisible, yet future, Church is not a functional entity until it is first assembled at the “trump of God” (I Thess. 4:16-17) and until Christ returns with His Bride (the future Church) at His second coming. The invisible, yet future, Church membership is made up of both living and dead believers.

     Often in the Word of God (such as Ephesians chapter four), Christ addresses all believers in all local churches throughout the world at any given point in time merely as the Church. In other words, the truth taught is corporately applied to all Christians in all local churches. We should not confuse these portions of Scripture to make leaps of application and suppositions regarding the yet invisible Church of the future.

     Shortly, we will look at a list of the 79 uses of the word “church” in the New Testament. In every case the word “church” is translated from the Greek word ekklesia (ek-klay-see'-ah). The context determines the meaning. The question is, does the word always mean local church or does it occasionally refer collectively to all believers in the Church Age?

     The answer is obvious. The vast majority of the use of the word ekklesia refers to local churches. In a few instances the word ekklesia obviously refers to the corporate body of believers (all believers collectively). The issue of the doctrine of the church is if the Word of God teaches local church only or a so-called universal church only position. The answer again is obviously No to both of these extremes. We would divide these to applications into two categories.

1. The church as an ORGANIZATION (local, visible body of believers)
2. The church as an ORGANISM (all believers collectively within local churches)

     The Church local must be distinguished as a governing body intent on regulating the human conduct of professing believers. That is central to congregational polity and a local church’s purpose as an organization (Ephesians 4:11-12).

     The use of the word organism refers to all of the “new creation” created “in Christ Jesus” collectively. This organism is being built. It is not yet complete, it is not yet a functional entity, and it will not come become a functional entity until the rapture (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). It is not a functional entity during this dispensation in that it is made up of both living believers and dead believers. It will be the perfect Church because it will be composed only of saved, resurrected, and glorified believers living in perfect unity and sinlessness. The presently invisible collective of all believers is the Church Christ is building during the Church Age through the agency of local churches.

     Therefore, throughout the Dispensation of the Church Age, the Church is always local and visible. Those verses that refer to the collective “body” are prophetic in nature and refer to the Theocratic Church as a ruling organism, ruling with Christ during the Kingdom Age. From that perspective, we can view the following Scriptures in the light that they are intended. Although we might not agree on every application of the use of ekklesia, we can surely see it has various meanings and applications in the N. T.

Matthew 16:18 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. (The Collective Organism)

Matthew 18:17 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. (A Local Body)

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (refers to the congregation of Israel as a corporate body)

Acts 8:1 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. (Local Body)

Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. . (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. (Local Body)

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Local Body)

Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Local Body)

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Local Body)

Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (Local Body)

Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. (Local Body)

Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. (Local Body)

Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: (Local Body)

Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. (Local Body)

Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Local Body)

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Local Body)

Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. (Local Body)

Romans 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. (Local Body)

Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. <<Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.>> (Local Body)

I Corinthians 1:2 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: (Local Body)

I Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

I Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (Local Body)

I Corinthains 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

I Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:23 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? (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (Local Body)

I Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

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

II Corinthinas 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (Local Body)

Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (Local Body)

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. (Local Body)

Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. (Local Body)

I Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Local Body)

II Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (Local Body)

I Timothy 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (Local Body)

I Timothy 3:15 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. (Local Body)

I Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. (Local Body)

II Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. <<The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.>> (Local Body)

Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. <<It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.>> (Local Body)

Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: (Local Body)

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (quote of Psalm 22:22 referring to the corporate body of the congregation of the nation of Israel)

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Probably Local, but may be local, collective, or both)

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (Local Body)

I Peter 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. (Local Body)

III John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: (Local Body)

III John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (Local Body)

III John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (Local Body)

Revelation 2:1 ¶ 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; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (LOCAL BODY with a prophetic application to all churches collectively of a particular period of Church history)