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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
The term church has two usages in Scripture: (1) the church as a whole, which would involve all
Christians as a part of the church of Christ in a universal sense (Rom 16:16); (2) the church in a local sense,
meaning the particular congregation to which a person belongs, such as the church at Corinth (1 Cor 1:1, 2),
Galatia (Gal 1:1, 2), etc. Every true Christian is a part of the church as a whole, but must also be a part of a
local church, or congregation. So, as Gaius was a part of the church as a whole, the churches of Christ, he
was also a part of the local church at Corinth. His responsibility to the universal church was to be manifest in
his responsibility and actions toward the local church, which in his case was the church at Corinth. It is
absolutely necessary, then, for a Christian, once he is added to the body of Christ as a whole (Ac 2:47), to be
a part of a congregation in the community where he lives (Ac 2:41). As a part of a local congregation there
are certain responsibilities, which must be manifest. Despite this fact, many act as if there are no
responsibilities whatsoever to either the local nor universal church.
When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he explained that in a local congregation each
member/person, is a part of the whole unit/local church. Each person is to have a job, which ensures the
proper function of the whole. He describes this relationship as that of a human body in chapter 12—having
ears, eyes, a nose, hands, etc. In order for the human body to function properly each aspect of it must fulfill
its role, and so it is with the local church.
Our responsibilities to the local church would involve attending each assembly and other fellowship/Bible
study functions (Heb 10:25); giving a contribution, which helps the local church meet a budget and function
properly (1 Cor 16:1, 2); participating where needed in cleaning, visiting, evangelizing, song-leading, praying,
maintenance of the building, etc. It involves planning vacations properly to be certain the work of the local
church will function properly in our absence. It involves “making up” our contribution when we are out-of-town,
in order that the local work is not hindered. The local church is to be a family, hence a home.
What is the local church to you? Do you feel as though you are a part of the family of believers in
Morgan City? If not, why not? May it be because you have made little effort to be a part of it? Do you live up to
your ability in caring for the needs of the local church? If not, why not? Is it because you are not interested? Is
the care of the local church at the top of your priority list? If not, why not? Is it because other things are more
important to you? These questions you must answer being honest with yourself. Our responsibilities to the
local church are too many to number in this short article, but any serious student of the Bible will quickly be
made aware of them. Yes, the local church needs you, but you need it more (Ac 20:28).