Six Characteristics of a Genuine Local Church

“Now there were in Antioch, in the local church….” (Acts 13:1)

To fulfill His ultimate goal of building the church (Matt. 16:18), His Body (Eph. 1:22-23), Christ redeems His believers. And immediately after a person receives Christ as his Savior and life, there usually arises within him a spontaneous desire to fellowship with other Christians. This desire certainly coincides with the biblical revelation, for at the moment of his salvation, he becomes a member of Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12:27). In accordance with both his sensation within and the Scriptures without, he should be assembled together with other believers (Heb. 10:25) and be gathered in a local church (Acts 11:26). It is therefore not adequate to speak of the church as merely a mystical spiritual entity; the New Testament testifies equally to the practicality of the local church in each locality.

Though the term “local church” has been loosely invoked in modern Christian vernacular to refer to any Christian congregation, we do well to examine the biblical standards and conform to the biblical pattern of a local church, for the New Testament terminology differentiates among local churches (Acts 13:1), parties (1 Cor. 11:17), divisions (12:25), sects, and factions (Gal. 5:20). Witness Lee says on one occasion:

In this country the term “local church” has become popular merchandise. Many groups loosely call themselves the local church. We must be able to discern whether a group is in fact a normal, proper, genuine local church. We must discern.

(Witness Lee, Visions of Ezekiel, 43)

In other words, not every self-appointed local church may be considered a genuine local church when strictly and uncompromisingly measured against biblical criteria.

Witness Lee, a prolific Bible expositor and faithful servant of the Lord, raised up more than two thousand local churches in his lifetime. In step with his co-worker Watchman Nee, Witness Lee realized that the unity of God’s children and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s purpose depends on the proper establishment of the local churches and on the scriptural practice of the local church life. Throughout his lengthy ministry, Witness Lee never focused on merely winning converts or raising up congregations; rather, Witness Lee ministered Christ to build up genuine local churches. Witness Lee was fond of saying that the local churches are the procedure to attain to God’s ultimate goal, the eternal New Jerusalem.

Through diligent study of Scripture over many decades, Witness Lee outlined at least six biblical characteristics of a genuine local church, which this website aims to present to all of God’s children. May we examine each of our concepts and our practices in the light of the biblical revelation concerning a genuine local church.

Six Characteristics of a Genuine Local Church

A. A Local Church Having No Particular Name

B. A Local Church Having No Particular Fellowship

C. A Local Church Having No Particular Teaching

D. A Local Church Having No Isolated Fellowship

E. A Local Church Having No Separate Administration

F. A Local Church Having No Hidden Connections with Other Organizations

(Outline adapted from Young People’s Training, by Witness Lee)

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