Daily Reading

Churches of Christ are autonomous in government. Each one is independent of all others. Each one has its own leadership. We read in the New Testament of churches in a district such as “the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). However, there was no district organization. Each of the churches in Galatia was self-governing.

Daily Reading

The word “church” is never used in the Bible in a denominational sense. A denomination, by its own claims, is not the universal church. Most denominations claim to be a part of the universal church along with all the other denominations. Therefore, a denomination is smaller than the universal church. But most denominations are made up of many congregations. Therefore, a denomination is larger than the local church. An organization smaller than the universal church but larger than the local church is not found in the Word of God! Denominations were established by men. They exist without the blessing of God for they are completely unknown in God’s Word!

Daily Reading

Second, the word “church” is used in the local sense. When Paul addressed the First Corinthian letter to “the church of God which is at Corinth,” he was speaking to a group of Christians in Corinth who met together to worship and serve God (1 Corinthians 1:2). The universal church is made up of all the local congregations everywhere. Paul referred to this when he said: “The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16).

Daily Reading

The word “church” is used in the New Testament in only two senses. First, it refers to the called out people of Christ in all the world. This is the universal sense. When Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock, I will build My church,” He was including all believers in all the world in His church. Thus, He was speaking of the universal church.

Daily Reading

THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
The meaning of “autonomy” is independent or self-governing. The church we read about in the New Testament is made up of autonomous congregations. The word “church” means “the called out.” It is used to describe God’s people who have been called by the Gospel ( 2 Thessalonians 2:14). They have been called out of the world and into the service of Christ.

Daily Reading

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Daily Reading

Let us respect God’s authority! We must not add to the things which God has commanded! We must not subtract from any of the things God has commanded (Revelation 22:18,19). If we do not respect God’s authority in the Bible, we can not be saved (2 John 9-11). Are you saved? Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16), Why not believe and be baptized today?