Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
In Rev. 2-3 there are quite a diversity of churches. Contrary to LC teachings, their differences were both positive and negative. Yet the Son of Man walked in all of their midst, knowing each intimately, and speaking to all of their needs. He also acknowledged that there were individuals in each of the churches that were not included in the general character of the church.
Philadelphia, and to an extent Smyrna, stand out as exemplary, yet these were never heralded as "the true local church," rather they were all "true" local churches, i.e. lamp stands, with varying degrees of concerns and spiritual needs. Perhaps, since each letter was addressed to "the messenger of the church," these instructions were given to them firstly in order for them to have heavenly guidance to shepherd their own church.
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There was no need to call them "true local churches" because the false ones (denominations) did not exist yet.
The fact that Jesus calls them churches, with a lampstand, in a certain locality, proves that to Jesus, a genuine church is a church in each locality.