Topical Encyclopedia
The term "local" in a biblical context often pertains to specific geographical areas, communities, or assemblies that are mentioned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible, while a universal text, is deeply rooted in the particularities of place and community, reflecting the importance of local settings in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Geographical LocationsThe Bible is replete with references to specific locations that hold significant theological and historical importance. For instance, Jerusalem is a central locale in both the Old and New Testaments. It is the site of the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, and the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem is often referred to as the city of David (
2 Samuel 5:7), and in the New Testament, it is the focal point of Jesus' ministry and the early church (
Acts 1:8).
Other notable localities include Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (
Matthew 2:1), Nazareth, where Jesus grew up (
Luke 4:16), and Galilee, where much of His ministry took place (
Matthew 4:23). Each of these places is not merely a backdrop but plays a crucial role in the narrative of Scripture, emphasizing the incarnational aspect of God's work in specific times and places.
Local AssembliesThe New Testament highlights the importance of local assemblies or churches. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often addresses specific congregations, such as those in Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi. These local churches were the primary means through which the early Christians gathered for worship, teaching, and fellowship. In
1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul writes, "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours."
The local church is seen as the body of Christ in a particular place, tasked with the mission of spreading the Gospel and serving the community.
Hebrews 10:25 encourages believers not to forsake assembling together, highlighting the importance of local fellowship and mutual encouragement.
Cultural and Social ContextsThe Bible also reflects the cultural and social contexts of its local settings. The customs, languages, and societal structures of ancient Israel, Egypt, Babylon, and the Greco-Roman world are woven into the biblical narrative. Understanding these local contexts is crucial for interpreting Scripture accurately. For example, the parables of Jesus often draw on local agricultural practices and social norms to convey spiritual truths (
Matthew 13:3-9).
Local Impact of Global EventsWhile the Bible addresses universal themes, it often does so through the lens of local events and experiences. The global impact of events such as the Babylonian exile is seen in the local suffering and hope of the Jewish people (
Jeremiah 29:4-7). Similarly, the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (
Acts 1:8) begins with local witnesses and communities.
In summary, the concept of "local" in the Bible underscores the significance of specific places, communities, and cultural contexts in the divine narrative. These local elements are integral to understanding the broader theological and redemptive themes of Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to a particular place, or to a definite region or portion Of space; restricted to one place or region; as, a local custom.
2. (n.) A train which receives and deposits passengers or freight along the line of the road; a train for the accommodation of a certain district.
3. (n.) On newspaper cant, an item of news relating to the place where the paper is published.
Greek
4314. pros -- advantageous for, at (denoteslocal proximity)...... 4313, 4314. pros. 4315 . advantageous for, at (denotes
local proximity),
toward (denotes motion toward a place). Part of Speech
...1786. entopios -- of a place, a resident
... Word Origin from en and topos Definition of a place, a resident NASB Word Usage
local residents (1).local. From en and topos; a resident -- of that place....
752. archisunagogos -- ruler of a synagogue
... 752 (from , "first" and 4684 , "synagogue") -- properly, the chief elder (overseer)
presiding over alocal synagogue; a "an administrative officer, supervising...
2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose
... refers to such as: "the leading thought" in one's mind, ie to esteem (regard highly);
or a leading authority, providing leadership in alocal church (see Heb 13...
1926. epidechomai -- to accept as true, to receive besides
... 9,10). This envisions all the "nasty spin-offs" that went with Diotrephes
to "aptly welcome" people into hislocal church. [1926...
1223. dia -- through, on account of, because of
... A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide
applications,local, causal, or occasional) -- after, always, among, at, to avoid...
3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with
accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to...
3326. meta -- with, among, after
... A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment;
"amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive...
2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... This represented the core theological convictions prevailing in thelocal churches
in the "post-apostolic era" (particularly from ad 100 on)....
1249. diakonos -- a servant, minister
... in the NT usually refers to the Lord inspiring His servants to carry out His plan
for His people -- ie as His "minister" (like a serving Him in alocal church...
Library
WhetherLocal Distance Impedes the Knowledge in the Separated Soul...
... OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SEPARATED SOUL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whetherlocal distance
impedes the knowledge in the separated soul? Objection...
Whether Bodies Obey the Angels as RegardsLocal Motion?
... HOW ANGELS ACT ON BODIES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether bodies obey the angels as regards
local motion?... For thelocal motion of natural bodies follows on their forms....
Of theLocal Movement of the Angels (Three Articles)
... OF THELOCAL MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS (THREE ARTICLES). We must next consider
thelocal movement of the angels; under which heading...
WhetherLocal Distance Influences the Angelic Speech?
... THE SPEECH OF THE ANGELS (FIVE ARTICLES) Whetherlocal distance influences
the angelic speech? Objection 1: It would seem thatlocal...
Concerning the Holding of aLocal Synod at the Time Appointed.
... Canon VI. Concerning the holding of alocal Synod at the time appointed.
Concerning the holding of alocal Synod at the time appointed....
Adjusting theLocal Church to the Community
... CHAPTER VII ADJUSTING THELOCAL CHURCH TO THE COMMUNITY. In his book on
Social Control Professor Ross has pointed out that certain...
God Accordingly, in his Kindness, Condescends to Mankind, not in...
... Chapter XII. God accordingly, in His kindness, condescends to mankind,
not in anylocal sense? God accordingly, in His kindness...
Curious views Respecting God's Method of Working with Matter...
... Chapter XLIV."Curious Views Respecting God's Method of Working with Matter Exposed
Discrepancies in the Heretic's Opinion About God'sLocal Relation to Matter...
The Lateness of the Revelation of Marcion's God the Question of...
... Therefore God both Himself occupiedlocal space, and caused the world to occupy
local space; and thislocal space, too, will be greater than God and the world...
Whether an Angel Can be Moved Locally?
... OF THELOCAL MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether an angel can be moved
locally? Objection 1: It seems that an angel cannot be moved locally....
Thesaurus
Local (5 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to a particular place, or to a definite region or portion
Of space; restricted to one place or region; as, a
local custom.
...Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... In Plutarch Mor. 566 D, it occurs in the remarkable phrase, "that which is earthly
of the soul." Its meaning is primarily merelylocal ("being on the earth")....
Presbyter
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: Thelocal synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders...
Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: Thelocal synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders...
Hades (11 Occurrences)
... That dead believers abide in alocal Hades cannot be proven from 1 Thessalonians
4:16 1 Corinthians 15:23, for these passages refer to the grave and the body...
Province (66 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada, having a governor,
alocal legislature, and representation in the Dominion parliament....
Judge (297 Occurrences)
... continuation of the plan adopted by Moses. Probably thelocal courts were not
organized till the time of David. In the days of the Judges...
Government (20 Occurrences)
... guv'-ern-ment: I. APPROACH TO SUBJECT 1. The General Sense 2. TheLocal Sense II....
Two perfectly distinct senses are found, namely, a general and alocal....
Jupiter (3 Occurrences)
... god in the developed Greek pantheon, and Zeus in turn, in accord with the syncretism
of the period, was identified with countless deities in thelocal cults of...
Fox (2 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:32)): The foxes of different parts of Europe and Western Asia differ more
or less from each other, and some authors have given thelocal tyes distinct...
Resources
Are the teachings of Witness Lee and the Local Church biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the universal church and local church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat factors should one consider when trying to find a good local church? | GotQuestions.orgLocal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
