Many passages in the New Testament Scriptures refer to the church or assembly at a certain
locality, such as Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, and others (Acts 8:1; 13:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Cor.
1:2; 16:1; 16:19; and many others). Let us look at the relation between these local gatherings and
the entire Church, the Body of Christ.

First, we have an important principle illustrated in the first epistle to the Corinthians:"Unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,
with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1
Cor. 1:2). The apostle here uses the name "church of God," which is the title of the whole Body
of Christ, and applies it locally, "which is at Corinth." He describes those who are included in it,
"them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." Thus, all there who were believers
in the Lord Jesus Christ formed the church of God which was at Corinth.

But to show that this church was not to be regarded as independent of the whole Body of Christ,
the apostle adds, "With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord."
Whatever the special needs of the particular assembly at Corinth might be, the principles which
were to govern them were those for the whole Church, to be applied wherever there might be the
same state of things.

But more than this, the linking of the whole Church of Christ with the assembly at Corinth shows
that the whole Church was concerned in the matters to be presented to that special assembly_that
there was a responsibility which could not be evaded, and that distance from the locality did not
create a severance in the Church. In other words, the truth of the one Body must not be lost sight
of. "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all
the members rejoice with it" (1 Cor. 12:26). Immediately preceding this verse, in verse 25, we
read, "That there should be no schism in the Body; but that the members should have the same
care one for another." A member of the church of Christ in Africa is just as really linked with us
as one with whom we are in daily association.

This is a most important principle, for without it the various assemblies of Christ would be so
many independent congregations. Corporate unity would be but the unity of "the invisible
Church," and all public testimony to that held so dear by our Lord would be at an end.

An expression, "a circle of assemblies," has been used to describe all assemblies which seek to
carry out the relation of unity between the local assembly and the Church at large. While
disavowing any name not given in Scripture, we need not hesitate to acknowledge the
scripturalness of the thought suggested. There are many Scriptures which justify the thought of
"a circle of assemblies" (1 Cor. 7:17; 11:16; 14:33; Gal. 1:2; among others). That such a circle
primarily includes all saints, none could question; but in the present state of confusion, the circle
of actual fellowship must be reduced to those who are subject to the truth of God governing His
Assembly. If we have Scripture warrant for a single assembly gathered in separation from what
is contrary to God, we have the circle, and it would include all assemblies similarly formed.

Nor is all this in the least inconsistent with the exercise of discipline and all other necessary
functions in a local assembly. On the contrary, the right apprehension of the truth gives power and
adds impressiveness to the smallest act. Witness the apostle’s words to the assembly at Corinth
in the matter of dealing with the wicked person:"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye
are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here we have the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, which has been put upon the whole Church (1 Cor. 1:2,10), and
His power, which is the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the whole Body. We have here, then, no act
of a small body to be taken up and reviewed by some larger and more authoritative one, but the
act of the Holy Spirit, through this assembly_an act for and binding upon the whole Body of
Christ throughout the world.

These truths afford us comfort in a day of almost universal departure from divine principles as to
the Church of God. Principles remain, no matter how much the Church may have failed; and these
principles are presented for our guidance now as much as when they were first given to the
assemblies addressed in the several epistles we have been considering.

May the Lord, who loves the Church, and gave Himself for it, speak to the hearts and consciences
of His beloved people and constrain them, out of love and devotedness to Him, to listen to His
voice, and to obey it.

(From The Church and Its Order According to Scripture.)