Is it correct to say, “Universal Church” or just “Local Church?” Can you explain what the Bible says or what is written about this in the Bible?
When the Bible mentions the word “church” it never uses the word “universal” or “local” to describe it. It may be speaking of the “universal church” and at other times of a “local church.” We will now look at these two from examples in Scripture
The UNIVERSAL CHURCH. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (NKJV). Peter had just confessed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (verse 6) and this belief in Christ IS THE ROCK upon which the church is being built. Jesus said “I will build” so the church had not yet begun. When did it begin? We have the “birthday of the church” in Acts chapter two where on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down from heaven to “baptize all believers in Jesus Christ into the church” (Acts 2:1-4 with 1 Corinthians 12:13). From that moment on every time one believed on Christ as their Savior they were instantly added to the universal church. We see this clearly in Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” So, the “universal church” includes everyone in every nation who has “believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation” (Acts 16:31). It would include not only all believers alive on earth, but also those who have died and gone to heaven. The truth of the universal church is beautifully expressed in Ephesians 5:25, “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her.” Jesus Christ loved everyone who would believe on Him and become a member of the church and He proved His love for her by His death on the cross. The church began on the Day of Pentecost and the church will be completed when the last soul believes on Him during this “Church Age.” At that time Jesus will return to take the church home to heaven (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1).
The LOCAL CHURCH. In 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 we read, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, TO THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH IS AT CORINTH.” Here the church obviously refers to “all believers in any given LOCALITY (city or town).” Paul was inspired to write this letter to the believers at Corinth who had special needs that had to be addressed. Yet he also gave them instructions that would be for ALL LOCAL CHURCHES. We see this in 7:17 where we read, “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain IN ALL THE CHURCHES.” The first “local church” that was formed was at Jerusalem (as we saw in Acts chapter two). The church there came together for “church meetings” as we see in verse 42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Their fellowship together was a public testimony to all those living in Jerusalem. As time went on the gospel spread to other communities and local churches were formed there. They too continued “in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers,” and thus the truth of the “universal church” was expressed by those in each “local church.” Each local church is but a representative of the whole church, for though separated by distance THE CHURCH IS ONE BODY IN CHRIST. Please read the following verses to see this precious truth: Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; and Colossians 1:18. (DO) (637.1)