Hebrews 13:3 (KJV) Decoding the Mystery

Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

I believe very strongly in the local church. I do not find any Biblical support for the doctrine of a universal church, whether in its visible form, as taught by Catholics, or in its invisible form, as held by Protestants. Furthermore, I believe the term body as in the body of Christ, is a reference to the local church and not to a corporate union of all believers everywhere. My understanding of the local church and the body of Christ demands that I reject traditional Protestant interpretations of many passages of the New Testament in favor of an attempt to understand them in a more local church context.

I frequently get pushback on this. The books of 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, for instance, are especially prone to be understood in the context of a universal body of believers. The book of Hebrews is often viewed as belonging to Jewish Christians independent of church at all. Somehow someone decided that if a Jewish individual becomes a Christian, they are not obligated to join a local church.

So here we are in Hebrews and here we have a mention of “the body.” I believe this squarely places Hebrews into the context, not just of Christianity, but also into the context of the church setting. This happens to be in Hebrews chapter thirteen where we also find,
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

To the best of my knowledge, especially within Baptist circles, it is widely accepted that this verse pertains to the pastor, affirming its reference to a local, rather than universal, body or church.

Bottom line – it is evident that the book of Hebrews, like the rest of the New Testament, pertains to the local church and should be interpreted within the local church context.

#LocalChurchDoctrine #BiblicalInterpretation #ChurchContext #NewTestamentPerspective #HebrewsExplained

Decoding the Mystery: Insights for the Local Church

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Hebrews 13:3 (KJV) Decoding the Mystery