Local Church Discussions - View Single Post - The Not-So Practical Expression of the Church

Shawn · 07-26-2008, 06:11 AM

hi All,

To me the practice of the local church meeting in one city only becomes real when the distinctions of each group, drop by drop, lose their significance. As I am meeting in a "local church" already, I will qualify this to include the distinctions of my own fellowship, till something that expresses the oneness of the believers is manifest for all to see.

I appreciate Only by Grace's practice within his smaller city, but would suggest that while it is commendandable to gather together, to withdraw back into each group shows the reality of the oneness has not yet been manifest. This I see as handshaking over the fence as opposed to a true embracing of each other as a testimony of the church.

I believe that the New Testament picture of how a local church for each city is possible to see "recovered," but to go to a city, set up a table and boldly declare "we have taken the ground" is true only in that the ground of another denomination has actually taken place.

However a fellowship can begin in a city where a vision of "taking the ground" may be developed with other brothers and sisters within that community that may start in gatherings as Only by Grace had mentioned and as this vision is confirmed by the Spirit, the fences may start to diminish. Gatherings of home meetings may begin to become more practical in neighborhoods, rather than based on which group you belong to. The distinctions that made each group different from each other will start to become less important and finally, a coordination free of any denominational restrictions can begin to occurr that can begin to impact the community in gospel outreach as well as works consistent with a compassionate, Christ filled church.

Am I dreaming? Is this something that had a wonderful beginning in Acts, but is impossible to realize today? I believe the desire for this is in every believers heart, as seen in Only by Graces post that can be sought after and prayed for in each city. Will it look like my "local church?" No, I don't think so, but if this vision is practiced, something will be manifest that even the unbelievers will have to acknowledge that a work of God has been done in this city.

07-26-2008, 06:11 AM	#13
Shawn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 54	Handshaking vs. Embracing hi All, To me the practice of the local church meeting in one city only becomes real when the distinctions of each group, drop by drop, lose their significance. As I am meeting in a "local church" already, I will qualify this to include the distinctions of my own fellowship, till something that expresses the oneness of the believers is manifest for all to see. I appreciate Only by Grace's practice within his smaller city, but would suggest that while it is commendandable to gather together, to withdraw back into each group shows the reality of the oneness has not yet been manifest. This I see as handshaking over the fence as opposed to a true embracing of each other as a testimony of the church. I believe that the New Testament picture of how a local church for each city is possible to see "recovered," but to go to a city, set up a table and boldly declare "we have taken the ground" is true only in that the ground of another denomination has actually taken place. However a fellowship can begin in a city where a vision of "taking the ground" may be developed with other brothers and sisters within that community that may start in gatherings as Only by Grace had mentioned and as this vision is confirmed by the Spirit, the fences may start to diminish. Gatherings of home meetings may begin to become more practical in neighborhoods, rather than based on which group you belong to. The distinctions that made each group different from each other will start to become less important and finally, a coordination free of any denominational restrictions can begin to occurr that can begin to impact the community in gospel outreach as well as works consistent with a compassionate, Christ filled church. Am I dreaming? Is this something that had a wonderful beginning in Acts, but is impossible to realize today? I believe the desire for this is in every believers heart, as seen in Only by Graces post that can be sought after and prayed for in each city. Will it look like my "local church?" No, I don't think so, but if this vision is practiced, something will be manifest that even the unbelievers will have to acknowledge that a work of God has been done in this city.