Two Types of Churches in the Bible

1. There is more than one type of church found in the scriptures.

            The universal church

            The Bible speaks of the universal church comprised of all the redeemed elect from all time as the church.

            Heb 12:22 – But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

            Heb 12:23 – To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

            This is the whole family of God.

            Eph 3:15 – Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

            This church is the bride for which Christ died.

            Eph 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

            Eph 5:26 – That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

            Eph 5:27 – That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

            A person was added to this church by God’s election before the foundation of the world.

            Eph 1:4 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

            Eph 5:27 – That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

            Eph 5:30 – For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

            This is not the church that a person is added to by water baptism.

            The local church

            Church – III. 10. A congregation of Christians locally organized into a society for religious worship and spiritual purposes, under the direction of one set of spiritual office-bearers.

            The Bible also speaks of local churches as “the church”.

            1Ti 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.

            1Co 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.

            Act 14:27 – And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

            The word “church” in the Bible almost always refers to a local church.

            There are many local churches.

            Act 9:31 – Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

            Gal 1:2 – And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

            Each local church is the whole church.

            1Co 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?

            This is the church that a person is added to by water baptism.

            Act 2:41 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

            Act 2:47 – Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

            Act 1:15 – And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

1. There is no universal church on earth, of which local churches are parishes, like the Roman Catholic church or other denominational systems.

            There is not one mother church on this earth, but there is a false mother church on this earth (the Roman Catholic Church).

            Rev 17:5 – And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

            Rev 17:9 – And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

            Rev 17:18 – And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

            But there is a mother church in heaven.

            Gal 4:26 – But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

            Rev 21:2 – And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

            Rev 21:9 – And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

            Rev 21:10 – And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,