Local Church Only
No universal chuch! That’s the typical answer most Baptist preachers here would give when asked about it. You see, most of these folks are schooled in strong Landmark theology colleges or taught by missionaries with these tendencies (the locals that is). Hence, the unwillingness to even ponder the plausibility of such teaching is prevalent. Most aren’t teachable anyway. Several are downright dishonest because while they acknowledge the fact, they aren’t willing to public admit it. Come on, preachers of truth (at least that’s what you are supposed to do), admit it and embrace it.
The chief fear is that an affirmation of universal invisible church (UIC) doctrine would open the door for ecumenical compromises,etc. In other words, downhill slide from henceforth. A belief in UICwould do that? Man, what then, if we beleive (which we do) that a man who by believing in Christ alone for salvation would be born into the family of God? Wouldn’t that too, open up the door to ecumenical movement? What nonsense! A belief in John 1:12 would no more emphasise ecumenical movement than a mere acknowledgement of UIC. Fear, then, is the fuel that drives the engine of denial, and for some, the lying before their own congregation about UIC.
Why don’t these people study the bible for themselves? Well, it’s because they aren’t taught to study the scripture, but to affirm traditionally, via rote memory their invaluable tradition wrongly perceived as truth. For if they study the scripture via context, they would no doubt have arrived at a rightconclusion.
The doctrine of the church, where the Body of Christis concerned, unequivocably affirms universal concept. Where would a believer be – the sphere of existence – when we say he is “in Christ”? Really, what does it mean? It simply means he is placed into the Body of Christ at spiritual birth. Again, landmark theology wrongly explains 1 Cor 12:13 to say it is water baptism, and refernce is to local chruch. A good question is to ask, where was Paul’s baptism? In Antioch or in Corinth. if former, then why does he uses the first person plural pronoun “we” in this text? If local church only, then why would he? Small matter? Nay, personal pronouns are important. Just see Ephesians 2 and one can easily see the switch between you and we. significant.
The body of Christ, cannot exists without its Head (Eph 1:19-21), and it is not talking about an organization, but an organism. The metaphor speaks of vital living relationship between the Head and every member of the Body; between each member of the body. It emphasises the equality of existence clearly in Eph 2, whereby the BOCis a new class of people – not Jews nor Gentiles. A new community of beleivers in Christ. All in Christ have same access by the same Spirit before God. Because of being rightly related to Christ the Head.
Incidentally, a body cannot exists without the Head. Hence, the church cannot have its functional existence prior to the resurrection. That’s why i reject the notion that the church of CHrist started during John the Baptist or even the Lord’s earthly ministry. No resurrection, no Body of Christ, no christianity, let alone church. In fact, the logical sequence follows the resurrection, exaltation and appointment (See Eph 1:19-22). That’s a sidenote.
