Four Fundamental Relationships in the Local Church

You may have seen the fictitious advertisement: Wanted: Good Woman, Must be able to clean, cook, sew, dig worms and clean fish. Must also have boat and motor…..Please send picture of boat and motor. That man is not looking for a spouse he is looking for a servant. Proper relationships are one of the keys to fulfillment in life. That is certainly true in our relationship to God and His Church.

No one can deny the primacy of the local church in the NT documents. Of the approximately 115 usages of the word ekklesia in the NT, 95% refer to the local church. Early Christians were fiercely loyal to four basic commitments concerning their church.