The Local Church

The Church as I Thought I'd Only Get to Read About

The simplicity of the church as depicted in the New Testament seemed so attractive, yet so elusive--nowhere to be found. Why are there so many denominations with little or no intercommunication or fellowship? This puzzled me greatly after I became a Christian and caused me to wander and/or multi-associate. Where was the church I read about in the Bible?

Having been raised in a Catholic family and believing the things told me I thought I “had the ticket to heaven” by association with the proper “church”. But when I was shown what the Bible had to say about salvation, I was compelled to consider my position and my beliefs. The result was being born again, regenerated, in my early 20's and leaving Catholicism to pursue after a real relationship with God, a pursuit that caused me to meet with several different groups, often concurrently. Still I was truly bothered by the degree of separation between the various free groups, not to mention denominations. I couldn't attach myself to just one. I had seen something in my Bible reading; something about the church being the Body of Christ and about believers being members one of another. I felt a sense of rivalry or criticism and sometimes even disdain between some groups. I never sensed anything like this in Catholicism and was shocked to find it in such serious God-seekers, yet I met with them gladly as I was seeking true Christian fellowship with others who wanted God and not the forms or trappings of religion.

One day a co-worker saw me reading my Bible at work and offered me some tracts authored by Witness Lee and Watchman Nee, unfamiliar names to me. They were short enough to squeeze a whole one in on my breaks, and very enjoyable to read. He had a drawer full of them to which I was granted free access. Eventually the topic of where we met came up. My interests were peaked when he explained that he met with other Christians as just Christians in the city, not taking a name but recognizing that the Bible indicates that the boundaries of a church are the boundaries of the locality (Revelation. 2-3; Acts 8:1, 13:1; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23). They were “just the church in Spokane” and yet they had fellowship with other believers around the globe who, like them, were stepping out of denominations to meet as just the church with no “mother church”, or hierarchy. Because it was my practice to “circulate” in the “Body,” I had to go see. That day changed my life and I both praise and thank the Lord for it.

What I witnessed was a group of people excited about God and all the believers. Everyone who wanted to could share! The simple enjoyments people expressed of their recent experiences or what they read in the Bible were well received by all and, as I was discovering, very inspirational, very “living”, and full of the supply of God's life, I had a deep realization within: Isn't this the way it was when the Lord walked the earth? He could stand up and share even when the “rulers” were opposed to Him. Doesn't Corinthians mention each one can share, two or three at a time in good order? (1 Corinthians 14:26-3) And these types of gatherings, they are occurring now in hundreds or thousands of localities. Something deep within me connected with this. And to top it off, while considering the appearance and eloquence, or lack thereof, on the part of those speaking, I distinctly heard the Lord whisper “Close your eyes and listen to what the Spirit says to the church.” Upon doing so, I was clear that God was anointing many who spoke--the Spirit was speaking within me! From that point on I knew that if there is nothing perfect in the world, this was the best. I gravitated to meeting solely with the church in Spokane as one would toward a more abundant source of food.

I was captured by the ground of the church--the ground of locality--and brought on by the Spirit of life being supplied in the fellowship and rich ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. The Lord will build His church, which is His Body; not an organization. It is no mistake that God would lead anyone into contact with this, His wonderful building work. I am so glad that the Lord answered my prayers and brought me to where I can experience what I had only read about in the Bible.

Bob Hooper | Back to List

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