A question that is generally asked is whether a local Church is independent? What is a local Church? Though a strict definition is not given in the Scriptures, we would make a number of stipulations on the basis of Bible truth and then arrive at a definition of an ideal local church.

    The Church began on the day of Pentecost (Cf.1 Cor. 12:13), and will be raptured when the Lord comes again. A local church is a body of believers gathering unto the Lord in any local area. They are those who have accepted the two ordinances of the Lord, viz. baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 18:19,20; Acts. 2:41,42; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Ideally there should be elders and deacons in such groups (1 Cor. 16:16; Heb. 13:17; Tit. 1:5). The Head of every local church is Christ, and functions under the direction of this Head, who has given them the Word of God, which is sufficient for their life and practice. This body also provides a spiritual environment in which believers can exercise their spiritual gifts for the common benefits (Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 14:26)). These are the minimum ideal requirements of a local church.

    The local churches are called, (a) the Churches of God (1 Thess. 2:14; Acts. 15:41), (ownership of the Churches); (b) Churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16) ( Christ is the Redeemer and Director); (c) Churches of the saints (1 Cor. 14:33) (the church is composed of those who are separated unto God); (d) Churches of the gentiles (Rom. 16:4) (believers in these churches are those who are separated from the Gentiles); (e) Churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:1) (there were more than one local church in the area of Galatia).

    Since there are many local churches in different localities of the globe do they have anything in common? And how do they interact one with another? What do the Scriptures teach us regarding this?

    Apart from the one Universal Church, which is composed of all believers gathering unto the name of the Lord from the day of Pentecost till the Rapture, and the local churches (which are groups gathering in a particular locality) mentioned above, there is no mention of another type of church in the New Testament. To elaborate there is the Catholic Church (i.e. universal church) but no Roman Catholic Church; there are many such local churches in England, but there is no Church of England; there are churches in India both in the South and the North, but there is no Church of North India or Church of South India etc. There is also no church called after the name of a person, no church of Paul, Peter, Thomas etc. Neither is a church divided because of language, like English church or Malayalam church. These distinctions, if any, are purely manmade and have no authority of the Bible.

    Though every born again believer is a member of the universal Church, and the moment he is born again is added into the body of Christ (Acts. 2:47) his existence is not isolated. The Spirit of God indwells him. The believers in a local church are not a jumble of living stones but are built up a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:4,5). Thus they are united. They need not make this unity. It is already there by the fact that the Spirit of God has united them into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). But they are commanded to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).
[Back to Top] 

    There are three essentials of this unity, viz., one authority; one standard; and one control.

1. One Authority

    The Lord is the Head of the Church, and every local church. There is no other visible head over any local church or universal church. In the vision that apostle John had at Patmos (Rev. 1), he saw the seven golden lamp stands (the seven churches), and one like the Son of Man walking amidst the seven golden lamp stands; He alone has control over every local church and each of them functions under his direction.

    They gather unto His name. He is the gathering center of the local Church. His name unites them together. The Lord’s promise was: “where two are three are gathered in my name there am I in their midst” (Matt. 18:20). No splinter group flouting the authority of this Name can claim the above promise of the Lord. Saints in any local church quarreling and splitting and gathering in separate groups in the same locality and sometimes in the same building is unscriptural. By this they only mar the unity of the Spirit. Such gatherings neither respect the authority of His Name nor bring honour to His name. When any such disputes arise in a local church, wiser counsels should prevail and the believers should wait on the Lord in humility so that the Lord would heal the breaches.

    The church is holy and the holiness is to be maintained. “Holiness becomes thine house, O Lord, for ever” (Ps. 93:5), and God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints  (Ps. 89:7). Discipline is administered in a local church in His name to maintain this holiness. When a wicked one was to be punished in the local church at Corinth Paul advised them to do this “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 5:4).

    Concerning the authority of His name we also read that (a) there is salvation in no other name; (b) repentance and remission of sins is to be preached in His name; (c) baptism is to be administered in His name; and (d) prayer is offered in his name (John 16:23,24).
[Back to Top] 
2. One Standard

    All that a body of believers need for their life and godliness is provided in the Word of God. The Word is the only standard provided for the church. This is the rulebook of the Church. This standard is contained in the 66 books of the Bible, which is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God. All Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). As in the days of the Pharisees (Matt. 22:29) we also do err not knowing the scriptures or the power of God. The Word is the standard in any situation and for all times. The world may change, the cultures may change, and the people may change but the Word does not change. Church is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Everything should be built upon truth and the church should proclaim truth. This is the Word. Thy word is truth and it is the sum total of the Word which is truth. We can and we must apply the word in every situation. Paul wrote to Timothy so that he should know how to order his life in the church. Not to him only but to us also (1 Tim. 3:15).

    Traditions are valid only if the Word confirms it. Tradition should never supercede the Scriptures. The Lord rebuked the Pharisees that they make the word of God of none effect by their traditions (Mark 7:7,13).
[Back to Top] 
3. One Control

    The Holy Spirit indwells the Church and each local such is thus under the control of the Spirit. He controls every activity.

    The manifestation of the unity in the church is evident by the activity of the Holy Spirit in the Church. They are specially seen:

                   i).     In worship and prayer (John 4:24)
                   ii).    In the gifts given by Him for the edification of the body (1 Cor. 12:7,11)
                  iii).    In appointing elders to oversee the flock of God (Acts. 20:28)
                  iv).    In the missionary outreach (Acts. 13:1-2).
[Back to Top] 

    In the creation account of Genesis One we read that God created the vegetable kingdom, grass, herb, fruit tree etc. whose seed was in itself (Gen. 1:11). The same is the case with the gospel. The seed of the gospel is in the gospel itself. The church is a living organism. Every provision to propagate and thus to reproduce is provided in the church itself. It needs no help from an outside agency. Therefore we could say that the church is a self-growing living organism.
[Back to Top] 

    The Spirit of God has appointed elders in the local churches to oversee the flock of God. As under shepherds they serve under the Lord, the Chief Shepherd, according to the Scriptures and under the control of the Spirit, and await their rewards when He returns. Their ministry may be broadly categorized into four areas viz  a) Heeding; b) Feeding; c) Caring and d) Steering.

    They are asked to “take heed to themselves and to the flock of God” (Acts. 20:28). This is a warning. They should be watchful so that the enemy does not either overpower them or carry the flock away. In this sense they are the guardians of the flock. As good shepherds they should find green pastures for the flock and lead them beside still waters. They should take care of them, comfort them and heal the sick. It is also their duty to pilot the assembly as a helmsman steering it clear of the rocks. Without authority there will be no order but only confusion and chaos. As in the case of Israel, since there was no king, everyone did according to his pleasure

    Keeping the above in view we should ask the question: Is a local church independent? Independent of what? Or independent of whom? If the question is asked to use the so-called independence as a cloak to cover the over indulgence of some, or the rampant individualism of another, the answer is a very emphatic ‘No.’ No local church is independent. She works under the direction and guidance of her Master and Lord. She has freedom only to function, as she ought to. As a lamp stand she is to witness her Lord in the surrounding darkness. She has freedom to keep her purity and chastity.

    If the question is asked to know whether outside of the Lord anyone person, group of person, any other local church or a group of local churches has authority over her, the answer is again an emphatic ‘No.’ No one has authority over a local church except the Lord. There have been instances among the assemblies to discipline a local church. The Lord alone has this authority, and has not delegated it to any group of assemblies. In this sense a local church is independent of all others. What does this independence really mean?
[Back to Top] 

    It is far better to say that a local church is autonomous rather than independent. It is autonomous in the sense it is a self governing body. The word comes from two Greek words ‘autos’ (self) and ‘nomos’ (law or rule). This is the power and right of self-government. The word independent means ‘not subject to control by others.’ A secondary meaning is ‘not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct’. The word may seem synonymous with autonomous. But in popular usage ‘independent’ means not affected  by the action of others. So, the autonomy of the local church really means that it is a self-governing body (with the built in control) but it does not mean that it is not affected or influenced by the action of others. The later point could be explained by ‘interdependence’ of the local churches.
[Back to Top] 

    Self-government of a local church should be confined to only the administrative functions. This does not mean isolation from other local churches. Isolation only deprives a local church of the fellowship of saints in other churches. Writing to Ephesians, Paul Says, that they “may be able to comprehend with all saints (emphasis added), what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18, 19).

    As guardians watching over the flock the elders should see that no wrong doctrine enters the church. This is not achieved by isolation. Too much reliance on self sometimes fails to identify and correct false doctrines. Also it deprives the flock of the vast resources that are available in the body of Christ. Each local church ideally should be a visible and tangible manifestation of the One Church. But unfortunately it is not so and is imperfect in many ways. Only as it conforms to and manifests the church of God as defined by apostolic doctrine and practice it is ideal.

    Apostle Paul in his epistles reminds local churches of what is happening elsewhere. They should be interested in what is happening in other congregations.

a. Gospel is preached and producing fruits in Colosse as it is doing                   elsewhere (Col. 1:6,23).
b. Paul spoke to the saints of Macedonia of the zeal of Achaia in giving (2         Cor. 9:2).
c.  The epistle to Colossians should be read in Laodicea and vice versa             (Col. 4:16).
d.  Paul’s order for collection to the saints was given to Galatia and Corinth        (1 Cor. 16:1).
e. Paul’s instructions and advice was common to all the churches (1 Cor.          7:17; 4:17; 14:33).

    Interdependence of the local churches are seen mainly in five major areas, viz. relief, communication, itinerant preachers, inter-church councils and churches as models.
[Back to Top] 
1. Relief Work

    Prophet Agabus came from Jerusalem to Antioch and prophesied of the famine that was to come throughout all the world. Then the saints in Antioch according to their ability sent relief to the saints in Jerusalem (Acts. 11:27-30). Still later saints in Macedonia and Achaia made a contribution to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:26). Though they did this willingly, in the next verse Paul underlines the principles. The gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual blessings and it is therefore their duty to share in material blessings. By this they manifested their oneness in the Lord and their fellowship with one another and love for one another.
[Back to Top] 
2. Letters of Communications

    The New Testament churches communicated one with another When the saints in Corinth requested apostle Paul for a letter of confirmation regarding his status, he wrote to them (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-6). Paul writes to Ephesians that Tychicus a brother and faithful minister will tell them of his welfare (Eph. 6:21). When Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon he writes to receive him. When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia the brethren in Ephesus wrote to them exhorting them to receive him (Acts. 18:27). Paul commended sister Phebe to the saints in Rome (Rom. 16:1). John writes to Gaius and comments Demetrius (3 John 12). These communications are meaningful only if they have fellowship one with another.
[Back to Top] 
3. Itinerant Preachers

    When these saints traveled and visited many local churches they were asked to be helped (3 John 5-8). Barnabas visited Antioch and exhorted them to cleave unto the Lord (Acts. 11:22-26). Apollos visited Corinth to teach. Such brethren are welcomed only because they are one in Christ.
[Back to Top] 
4. Church Councils

    When the legalistic Jewish believers visited Antioch with their false gospel, the church in Antioch took the initiative and sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to consult the elders and apostles there. The reply from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem clarified to them the doctrinal position. This helped them to live in peaceful co-existence (Acts. 15).
[Back to Top] 
5. The Church as a Model

    Writing to Thessalonians apostle Paul says that they were an example to those in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:7). The Corinthians were very zealous in giving and thus became a model to other churches (2 Cor. 9:2) but in many other respects they were not and Paul exhorted them to conform to the practices followed by other churches (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 14:33, etc.).

    World Council of Churches and other similar bodies have tried to introduce a spirit of man made unity among the Churches and this has not helped one to identify the true Church. Uniformity is not unity. So when we speak of the interdependence of Churches we need to be very cautious. Is it possible for us to identify a Church that functions according to the pattern given in the New Testament? We believe, from the foregoing chapters it is possible for us to do so, Without being sectarian.

    Such Churches have fellowship one with another and though each such church is autonomous they are interdependent. Their interdependence is evidenced by the precepts they follow and their practice, by what they do and not by what they do not do. They realize that they are members of one another (Rom. 12:5). As in a body the eye cannot say to the ear I have no need of thee, one local church cannot say to another, I have no need of thee. They need one another.

i). They accept one another as the Lord has accepted them (Rom. 15:7)
ii). They bear one another's burden (Gal. 6:2).
iii). They encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11)
iv). They edify one another (Rom. 14:19)
v). They admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)
vi). They honour one another (Rom. 12:10)
vii). They greet one another (Rom. 16:3, 6, 16).

    Thus they manifest their unity and their interdependence.
[Back to Top] 

    There is nothing wrong for assemblies of the same persuasions to gather together for ministry, and for gospel outreach. The organizers of such meetings/conferences should be careful to see that such meetings do not spill over to the Lord’s Day. Every local church should gather on the Lord’s Day to remember the Lord. This is one of the two ordinances given by the Lord to the Church. This is the witness of the Church. If the above common gatherings come in the way of the testimony of a local church it is very dangerous and the Lord will not be pleased about it.

    Sometimes the youth in the assemblies gather together for a time of fellowship and ministry. This is permissible. But it is an unhealthy practice for these young men to forsake their own assemblies on Sunday mornings and gather together to break bread. Such gatherings are not “a local church” in any sense of the Word. The Lord’s Supper is to be observed only when “the whole church comes together into one place” (1 Cor. 14:23.26).