There is a growing movement away from an unreflective and restrictive use of the language of "church" that is limited to local congregations and denominations. Overwhelmingly, the New Testament speaks of the church (singular) in a particular city (Acts 8:1; 11:22; 13:1; 20:17; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14).
Because the church is defined solely by Christ's relationship to it, and not by variations of belief, race, class, age and so on (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11), the only abiding distinction between churches in the New Testament is on the basis of location. Christians in the same city (or town) belong to the one church in that city.
As believers appropriate this truth, and begin to live and act as one, the presence of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) will become more intense in a city, revealing that the favour of God is on his people (Psalm 133; Acts 4:33). The result will be an increasing number of its inhabitants to turn to Jesus as the one sent by the Father as the Saviour of the world (John 17:21).
Where unity is truly Christ-centred and expressed in corporate prayer for the progress of the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit will consistently lead and empower the church in every location. He sends it forth into constantly new initiatives, local and global, so that all people might have the opportunity to hear the gospel and turn to Jesus as Saviour and Lord (Acts 4:23-33; 13:1-3).
Because the church is defined solely by Christ's relationship to it, and not by variations of belief, race, class, age and so on (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11), the only abiding distinction between churches in the New Testament is on the basis of location. Christians in the same city (or town) belong to the one church in that city.
As believers appropriate this truth, and begin to live and act as one, the presence of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) will become more intense in a city, revealing that the favour of God is on his people (Psalm 133; Acts 4:33). The result will be an increasing number of its inhabitants to turn to Jesus as the one sent by the Father as the Saviour of the world (John 17:21).
Where unity is truly Christ-centred and expressed in corporate prayer for the progress of the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit will consistently lead and empower the church in every location. He sends it forth into constantly new initiatives, local and global, so that all people might have the opportunity to hear the gospel and turn to Jesus as Saviour and Lord (Acts 4:23-33; 13:1-3).
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