What A Universal Church Cannot Do Part 4 – Baptists view of the Church by Dan Nelson

Dan Nelson 02/19/20

What A Universal Church Cannot Do Part 4

Baptists view of the Church The mere function of the church proves the church is local and not universal. Many want both definitions but the so-called universal church cannot function as a gathered assembly of baptized believers carrying out the duties of a New Testament Church. Baptists have always known this truth throughout their history. The visible assembly of baptized believers joined together for the fellowship of the gospel was the primary and, in most cases, the only definition of the church among English Baptists. (It was the only practical definition). This definition was identical to the Anabaptists ‘ quest to free themselves from the abuses of the state church.” English Baptists of the seventeenth century were clear on what makes a true church. They regarded the church as a gathered community of redeemed men and women who had covenanted to walk together under the discipline of the Word of God and, with a properly appointed leadership, to proclaim the gospel and observe regularly the ordinances.”1 Robert Torbet,. A History of the Baptists 3rd ed. Judson Press: Valley Forge, PA:, 1950.The difference is clear as to the makeup and organization of the Baptists with other groups. Local Church autonomy reigned and influenced the Baptist understanding of the church.The difference between a universal church and what a New Testament church is defined as is stark. Here are some realities about what the Universal Church cannot do.-It cannot assemble on a regular basis.-It cannot baptize believers with the authorization Jesus gave His disciples and their successors through the Great Commission.-It never assembles to observe the ordinances. -It does not practice church discipline-It does not have an address, zip code, email address, or telephone number-It has no accountable membership-It requires nothing for membership outside of saving faith in Christ if they believe only born-again Christian believers-It has no place to invite people to on a regular basis-It has no pastor or leaders to call for funerals, weddings, hospital visits, and counseling- It has no group on a regular basis to join voices in song and praise to God-It has no place to say that is my church or the church I am a member ofDo you get the point? I could go on and on. I know there are people who say they believe in “The Big church” but attend or may be members of a local church on a regular basis. However, when you get right down to it they chose the one they say is all believers over the local assembly in most cases. God has not given us that luxury. The Universal Church has no authority, no worship service, no pastor, no congregation, no Sunday school, no place for children to grow in Christ, no place to call my church home and you are telling me that is more important than what the Bible really calls the church! I know why a lot of people chose the universal church over the local one. They don’t want to be accountable to anyone. It’s easy to come and go and not really feel any obligation to be a member of a local church that you attend on a regular basis. It lets them off the hook and with these days of virtual services because of the virus it will be easier to say no to local church involvement. But no one has any right in this country to shut your church down! Don’t tell me the “real church” is carrying on Christ’s work? How are they doing that? I have seen fewer people coming to church, witnessed to, being baptized, and joining churches. We used to affirm the Church Covenant and in some cases posted a large copy of the covenant in the church. The last phrase of the standard covenant states:”We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.”Whatever happened to that in our churches? Many don’t even know such a statement exists. The belief in a “universal church” does not give you a free pass out of being a part of a New Testament one. Baptists have always believed what the church is and stood against its dilution. May we do so in our world today to be in the place God has promised to bless.