The Local Church

Many Local Churches, One Body

I am a 24 year-old college graduate and a newlywed. I have been a student for most of my life. I never really imagined myself being out of school. I thought my degree would be the answer to all of life's little problems. I thought my husband would be, too. As much as both of them mean to me, I've realized that the only thing that can truly help me through life is knowing Jesus Christ and meeting with others who love Him. My husband and I have both found what we need in the local church.

I have met with a number of local churches. I grew up meeting with the church in Chicago, IL until my family moved to Texas. We now meet with the church in Arlington. After high school, I moved to Austin, TX to go to the University of Texas at Austin. I met with the church in Austin while I was there. I ended up moving to Denton, TX to finish college and while I was there, I met with the church in Denton. As you can see, I have had quite a bit of exposure to the local churches. Nobody ever made me meet with the local church. I always chose to. The reason why is because I have never found another place where I felt so welcome and at ease. I can testify that no matter which city I lived in, the church meetings were always the same. We always read and talked about the Bible and then we each got a chance to share what we enjoyed about God's word that week. I really appreciate the opportunity to hear everyone speak about their own experiences. It has really helped me to understand the Bible and how the Word applies to every one of us even in our own individual situations today.

Even though the local churches are separated geographically, the meetings are the same and the enjoyment is the same. The believers in the local churches often come together for regional conferences to meet with other believers that we don't get a chance to see every day. I have even enjoyed traveling and meeting with the local churches in other cities.

Although we can not all physically come together in one place yet, we will be able to one day. The Lord tells us so. Until then, I enjoy meeting with the people who live near me who love God and enjoy speaking about Him.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us that there is only one church, one Body. Romans 12:4 says, “So we who are many are one Body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

When I was younger, I never really understood what God meant when He said that there is only one Body. After meeting with other believers in other cities and finding that I can enjoy God's Word with them just like I can with people in my own hometown, I finally understood what He meant. We are all members and are joined to this one Body. We all have the same God and we can all speak and enjoy Him with others, no matter where we live.

Kristi Pike | Back to List

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