Berean Bible Church – Edgewater, Florida
By Hal Bekemeyer & Pastor Doug Dodd s.b.g.
Introduction
The false doctrine known as "Lordship Salvation" was produced and designed by men trying to stop
the lousy life style of those who called themselves Christians. I believe that there is a similar
if not duplicate motivation in the No-Church Church movement.
Today, if seems many are dissatisfied with the contemporary church and seek to either divorce
themselves from it, or redefine it. Martin Luther said, "Farewell to those who want an entirely
pure and purified church. This is plainly wanting no church at all."
After examining much of what has been written the following points can understood by the framers of
the No-Church Church movement.
Point One: "The tradition of the Babylonian religious system has, for the most part,
replaced "the church in thy house." In the process, the organic nature of the church has been
replaced by manmade institutions and organizations. This all comes from a failure to follow the
simple Pauline pattern. And are we not to follow Paul?"
Point Two: What is the church?
"The word church is not, at first, easily defined or identified today because of the influence of
centuries of religious tradition. If we would clear our mind of these traditions we would find that
this word conveys quite a very simple truth … "
The Common definitions
Among the common definitions of the word church, we find the idea of:
1. A physical building, as in, "It’s our turn to clean the church."
2. An organization, as in, "We are members of First Church."
3. A meeting, as in, "Church starts in a half-hour."
4. A doctrinal system, as in, "I’ve spent all my life in the Baptist church."
The writer concludes with: "These are all NON-BIBLE churches."
Point Three: This then, brings us to another aspect of the definition of the church.
The one true church has but one head, and that is Christ. There is no other head
of God’s church. This is how we can identify the true church - by its headship.
"Now, the question is, who is the head of "your church"? Are you satisfied with the headship of
Christ over His church? Or, do you desire to belong to another "church" that has another head?"
Point Four: "God’s building"
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
"God’s building" --just think of it! God has a church building in this dispensation. It is made up
of those of us who have been saved by His wonderful grace. Praise the Lord for the church building
of God! Are you satisfied with this truth? Or, do you embrace another "church building" instead?
Are you the house of God? Or, do you attend a man-made building that has been fraudulently pawned
off as the house of God?
Point Five: "If you go somewhere to worship the Lord, are you not, in reality denying
the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus? Are you not worshiping the Lord in the flesh, rather than
in t he spirit? Hasn’t someone corrupted your mind "from the simplicity in Christ"
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the
woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Note: Many people have left "grace churches" and started "home churches" because of these 5 basic
points…. This causes us to consider, debate and to question some things and this is good!
Questions We Have Been Considering In The Light Of These Points
Is it wrong for a church to own buildings?
Is it wrong for a church to have a pastor & organization?
Is it wrong for a church to have a name other than the "Church of God"?
Should churches on/y meet in homes?
As we consider these questions we turn to the final authority for all matters of faith and
practice… the Word of God – Rightly Divided.
Concept Of The Church From The Pauline Epistles
One: The Church Is Christ’s Body
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things
to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth
all in all.
There is nothing ambiguous about this passage the church IS his body.
Two: The Church Is The House Of God
1 Tim 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry
long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Three: The Church Is God’s Building
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's
building.
Four: The Church Is God’s Temple
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Five: The Church Is God’s Habitation
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
So, the church is a spiritual entity, and these trappings around us are irrelevant; RIGHT?
Question - Defining the spiritual nature & character of the church is essential
in defining who we are as the children of God but what are the practical aspects of this truth here
in the Physical world?
The word church, like many other Bible words, is generic and requires modifiers. On
Examples would include: Baptism, Gospel and Righteousness.
One of Paul’s most common modifiers is location!
Rom 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at
Cenchrea:
Commentary… Funny I thought the Church was in Rome or in Me or in you… you mean it
can be in more than one PLACE at a time??
1 Cor 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in
the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Paul Also Uses The Possessive Form:
Col 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of
the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
1 Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians
which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the
saints.
2 Cor 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Question: Could I say then, based on these verses the Berean Bible Church In
Edgewater? Could I say the church of the Saints in St. Pete or Tampa??
What then, can I or do I learn about the nature & character of the local church from Paul’s
modifiers?
One: It is locally expressed, not universally at large
Two: Letters to the church at large? How delivered?
Three: Not an ethereal entity but a practical reality.
It has an address!! (A VERY practical point we will look @ later)
Four: Being local, it is distinct member among many
1 Cor 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in
the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach
every where in every church.
Paul uses the plural twenty (20) times in his writings.
Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Five: The "church", while not a building, IS associated with it’s meeting
It is a PLACE to "come together"
1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there
be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
It is a PLACE for "teaching".
1 Cor 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
It is a PLACE where there are rules of conduct
1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God.
1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also
saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is
a shame for women to speak in the church.
NOTE: Clearly a reference to the place of gathering & not the church "at large"
The PLACE is NOT necessarily a house!
1 Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the
Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry,
and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or
despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise
you in this? I praise you not.
The Church Has A Local Address And Thus A Local Identity
It is not really at issue whether the church meets in a house, tent, hilltop, vale, gymnasium or
cellar, or owned building. What is at issue is whom it is that meets, and what transpires there!
If you went to Thessalonica in Paul’s time do you not believe you could ask directions to that
church?
It had a NAME
It had an Address
It had meeting times
It had identity!
I appreciate labels - gives me at least an idea of the contents. Imagine a grocery store with no
labels on the cans!
The Issues Of Identity And Mission
The Church has an Identity and needs an identity to maintain its mission which in its most basic
form is the reaching of the lost and the edification of the saints.
The Church Is …
A Lighthouse Of Truth On The Sea Of Confusion:
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I
may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. – Written
to the church @ Philippi!!
A PLACE for the lost to find the truth & God’s people
1 Cor 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with
tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not
say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart
made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you
of a truth.
A PLACE to have our spiritual needs met
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye
henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
You need a doctor you need an address. You need groceries you need an address.
You need a lawyer you need an address. You need the truth? You need an address!!
A PLACE where the truth is upheld
1 Tim 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry
long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
A PLACE where the saints care
1 Cor 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the
same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer
with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of
Christ, and members in particular.
There are TWO in the world rules all children should be taught
1. Life isn’t fair
2. No one out there cares
The church, the body of Christ, is to be the exception
A Place Where We Learn Of Our Identity – v.27 above
A Place To Find Guidance & Accountability
1 Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among
yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,
support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man;
but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Conclusion
There is much more that could be said but we have said enough, I think.
The No-Church Church movement is not sound in doctrine.
The No-Church Church movement is all but invisible to the eyes of those looking for the truth. With
no names, no addresses, no dates, no times there is no HOPE.
You see we agree with the basic premise of the 5 points made at the beginning of this message,
however we understand that moving the problem from one location to the next does not solve the
problem, it only moves the problem. Does the church need reformation? No, it has all it needs in
Christ. The church only needs to remember who they are, In Christ!
Is it wrong for a church to own buildings? - No
Is it wrong for a church to have a pastor & organization? - No
Is it wrong for a church to have a name other than the "Church of God"? - No
Should churches only meet in homes? – No
Should the church run to the hills and hide because the church is not functioning properly? NO –
you stay and fix it!
The Church – It Is Not The Place, Rather It Is Who And What You Find There
