We live in the very last days, the days of the great falling away, and one of the bad fall-outs of this time is that many Christians no longer have a Biblical understanding of the church, the local church and the way the body of Christ universally is supposed to relate to one another. Now, it’s I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of John MacArthur… On every street corner new churches are started daily, each with its own brand and flavor. And when you meet them they invariably say that you should join them and belong to them, all competing for a slice of the pie.
Now, in light of this rather odd scenario what should a disciple of Christ’s opinion be? Let me tell you how i relate to the body of Christ. I see the small gathering of saints i meet with as a part of the body of Christ. Not a body, but a part of the body. That we are free to gather together in Jesus name within the relationships (real friendships) which God has opened up.
There is a very simple logic here. Most groups want you to join them, and many of them will relate to you in a negative way or not at all if you do not “cooperate” and join in with them. Many would even judge you as being in sin if you don’t join them.
So, a thinking Christian knows that this is a spiritually bankrupt concept to begin with.
If you are not compelled to join any group or church, but you know according to the NT you should and must have fellowship with the body of Christ, then that leaves you free and gives you a right to congregate and assemble together according to your conscience, according to the relationships you have in Christ.
Then, as you yourself are freely assembling you will not compel others to assemble with you, you will leave them free to decide with whom they will fellowship.
And in this manner all the body of Christ can function in harmony with one another, without competition or sectarianism (denominational-ism). If disciples know Jesus and heed the NT then there can be many groups all over a city who harmoniously relate to one another by discerning the body of Christ.
Then, if a person compels you to join their group you can also ask them to fellowship with your group. But if they say, Oh, I can’t do that as yours is not a REAL church like ours!, then the disease has been diagnosed for you, the spirit of it has been exposed. They need help.