By Bro. Stephen Iluman (Bishop)

Download Lesson

This is a controversial subject or topic because of our differences. In reality, some of us do not see anything wrong in universal evangelism because of Christ’s commandment according to Matthew 28:18‐20. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.

This is the great commission that Christ gave to all Christians all over the world – Mark 16:15‐16, Acts 1:6‐8. With this understanding, we are told to study according to 2 Timothy 2:14‐15. 14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to [a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
On this note, we have collective evangelism on local basis or the individuals on personal level.

To get more detailed understanding on this topic, let us have the definition of the word Universal according to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary. Universal: done by or involving all the people in the world or in a particular group. Such problems are a universal feature of old age. Agreement on this issue is almost universal. The right of all the people in a country to vote. Universality of religious experience. It is very clear and understandable that the church of Christ is universal quite alright and this is the reason the gentiles were converted to the body of Christ (the church) – Acts 10:9‐ 16 –

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [a] the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four‐footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [b]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Peter was summoned to Caesarea – Acts 10:17‐20 – 17 Now while Peter [a]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter
thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

Peter met Cornelius about the way forward – Acts 10:24‐33 – 24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason  have you sent for me?” My dear brethren, listen properly to Cornelius’ respond in vs 30‐31 – 30 So Cornelius said, [a]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your [b]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [c]When he comes, he will speak to you. 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all
the things commanded you by God.”

Preaching to Cornelius’ household – Acts 10:34‐43 – 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [a]children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [b]they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[c] of sins.”

The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles. Dear brethren, it is proper to have detailed knowledge about how come the universal church of God or Christ. It was God that did that through the invitation of Peter as we also need invitation to do His work – Acts 10:44‐48 – 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Similarly, those who were baptized by John the Baptist heard the gospel of Christ and were baptized into Christ’s church – Acts 19:1‐5 – God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit worked together as one as Christ also prayed for unity among believers – John 17:20‐26 – 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [a]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

At least we have got the understanding that the church is one universally, but the organisation, management or administration of the church is only on local rule as the bible revealed. While the church is universal in nature, it is made up of hundreds and thousands of individual congregations and each congregation is made up of many individual members. This means that the government of the local church is local and not national or international. In other words, the Lord’s church does not have an earthly head or earthly headquarter.

The scripture teaches that Christ is the head of the church. Let us observe the following verses: ‐ 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. ‐ Ephesians 1:22‐23. 23

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body– Ephesians 5:23.

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence Colossians 1:18.

How many head are there? Just one, and Christ is that one, sharing that position with no other.
In keeping with this, Paul said, 3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God ‐ 1 Corinthians 11:3.

Next, each local congregation is to have its organisation with Christ as head, from among the members, elders and deacons are to be appointed to see after the spiritual and physical needs of the church.
The elders are to watch for the souls of the members – Hebrews 13:17. The deacons look after the physical side of things – Acts 6. Notice too that the scripture always speak of a plurality of elders and deacons over each congregation instead of one  elder and one deacon ruling over them.
Neither do you ever have the elders and deacons of one congregation taking control of another or of a group of congregations. Now this is the divine organization of the church. Christ is the head, with each congregation having its own elders and deacons. Under their authority would be the preachers and teachers and members. In the Lord’s way, if one congregation drifts into error, the others may continue faithful.
Or if all of the congregations depart from the truth except one, then it is possible for that one to be faithful. In the Lord’s plan of organisation, each congregation is autonomous or independent from others. We have to be very careful as Paul prayed Romans 10:1‐4 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [a]Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of
the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

God knows I am not lying, about six to seven years ago, some brethren from various congregations came to me that all
congregations should have a foundation and open an account with the bank so that brethren could be paying into that account and by the time we have enough money, we can now be building meeting halls for churches of Christ and as well be employing ministers to such congregations as this is a good work but I told them not, but I was surprised they came back to say that I should be the treasurer of that organisation, I told them scripturally that it is not scriptural.
Remember last year, I spoke on the topic that involved the mentioning the seven churches of Asia where only two congregation were commended. All we need is apostolic examples, necessary inference and commands from the bible.

Conclusion:

We the elders are bound to guard the church from false teachers according to Acts 20:28‐32, 1 Peter 5:1‐5. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but [a]willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being [b]lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
1 Timothy 4:16 – Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
May God bless us as we continue in Jesus Name – Amen.

Download Lesson