This document discusses the doctrine of the universal church versus the local church. It traces the doctrine of a universal church back to Catholicism and explains that most Protestant-descended churches hold to central Protestant doctrines. The Bible teaches of a "called-out assembly" or local, visible church in all but three of the 119 times the word "church" appears. Believing in a universal church rather than emphasizing the local church has weakened Christians' commitment to their local congregation and hindered the work of the local church.

1. Upon this Rock
Lesson Twenty
A Study in Baptist Doctrine
Dr. Marvin McKenzie

2. I. THE HISTORY OF THE
DOCTRINE OF A
UNIVERSAL CHURCH
A. This doctrine is traceable back to
Catholicism.
B. When the Protestants came out of
Rome, several things had to change.
C. Since all of the Community
Churches, Bible Churches, and
Charismatic Churches are of
Protestant descent, it is only natural
that they would hold to most of the
central doctrines of their Protestant
parents.

3. II. THE BIBLE'S VIEW
OF THE CHURCH
A. The word church is the Greek
Ekklesia
It means "a called-out assembly."
B. The word church is found in the
New Testament 119 times.
Of them, all but three teach, without a
doubt, the doctrine of the local, visible
church.
C. We have to apply the rules of
interpretation.

4. III. THE CONSEQUENCES
OF THE UNIVERSAL
CHURCH DOCTRINE.
A. It has placed many Baptists in
the same camp as the Protestants.
B. It has loosened the Christian's
commitment to the local church.
C. It has weakened the work of the
Local Church.

5. Finally
• 1. God would have all men to be
saved.
• 2. God would have all the saved
to be united into a local church.
• 3. God would have local churches
to be a witness for the Lord.