A Worship Ministry Similar To The Ministry of Apollos In the N.T.
Sometimes people ask me which church is my home church. What they mean is: Which individual congregation is the one I call my home church? Well, the answer does not fit any neat theological definition, and God can't always be put into a neat theological box in how He works. This uniqueness of calling was seen in the life of the traveling minister named Apollos in the pages of the New Testament.
Not only was Apollos not mentioned as being sent out by a local congregation like some others, but he apparently was sent out by God himself. Apollos apparently did not have any home individual congregation, but instead his home church ( local church ) was geographically defined. Just as the ministry of Heaven's Worship Restoration Ministries, under the founder, is geographically defined also. Here is an explanation below to corroborate this fact.
Geographical Definition of “Local Church” in the New Testament Context
In the New Testament, the term ekklesia (church) is sometimes used in a way that implies a broader geographical context, meaning the churches in a region or a network of congregations that belong to the same broader body of believers. This can be referred to as a local church in a region or regional church.
Examples of Geographical Usage in the NT:
“The churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:1):
Here, ekklesia is used in the plural form, implying multiple congregations across the region of Galatia (a province in Asia Minor). These congregations were considered part of the same local church in the broader geographical sense.
“The church of God that is in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2):
This refers to the local church in the city of Corinth, but it's implied that within that city, there might have been multiple gatherings of believers (house churches, as described in Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:19). While each of these house gatherings would have been a “local church” in one sense, they still form a broader local church in the geographical area of Corinth.
“The churches of Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 8:1):
This again refers to the collection of local churches within the Macedonian region (which included cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea). While each congregation was distinct, they were all part of a broader geographical church.
"The seven churches in Asia" (Revelation 1:4, 11):
Here, the term refers to multiple local congregations within the geographical area of Asia Minor. While they are distinct congregations, they are all considered part of the same "local church" in the broadest sense.
Possible Geographical Meaning:
In this sense, “local church” can include multiple congregations that gather in different places within a certain geographic area or region. These congregations may not all meet in the same location, but they are all connected and considered part of the same body of believers in that region.
New Testament Understanding of Local Churches as Geographically Defined
Though the primary emphasis is often on individual congregations, it's clear that the New Testament church had a geographical dimension as well, where multiple congregations within a city or region were often considered part of the same “local church” in a broader sense.
Example from the Apostle Paul’s letters: Paul often wrote to multiple local congregations in one region, such as in Galatia (Galatians), Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8), and Asia (Revelation 1:4). Even though these congregations were distinct, Paul treats them as part of a larger local expression of the church in that region.
Example of regional oversight: Paul appointed elders in every church within a region (Titus 1:5), indicating a regional or geographical network of local churches, each of which had oversight but was part of a larger body within the region.
Local Church as a Geographical Network of Believers
When we understand the term “local church” in this broader, geographical sense, it could refer to all the believers in a certain region or all the congregations within a particular area, even if they met in different places. The unity comes not just from physical location, but from their shared faith and leadership.
Summary: Yes, the term "local church" can be understood geographically to mean more than just a single congregation.
In the New Testament, the local church can refer to all believers within a specific region or multiple congregations within a city or province.
However, this does not mean that every local gathering of believers automatically refers to all believers in a region. It often depends on the context and the way the term ekklesia is being used.
So imagine we try to define the "local church" geographically for Apollos, would a single congregation make sense or would a geographical meaning of the term be more appropriate?
When we consider Apollos and his relationship to the local church, defining the "local church" geographically might actually be more appropriate than limiting it to a single congregation. Let me explain why:
Apollos’s Movements and Ministry
Apollos was a traveling minister, and we see his connection to multiple places in the New Testament:
Ephesus (Initial Ministry)
Apollos was first introduced in Ephesus (Acts 18:24), where he was eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures. However, he only knew about the baptism of John, and Priscilla and Aquila took him aside to teach him the way of God more accurately.
After being instructed, Apollos wanted to go to Achaia (the region that included Corinth), and the believers there encouraged him (Acts 18:27–28).
Corinth (Influence)
Apollos then traveled to Corinth, where he had a powerful ministry, greatly helping those who believed through grace (Acts 18:27–28).
In Corinth, Apollos’s influence was significant. We see this in 1 Corinthians 1:12 and 3:4–6, where some believers were dividing into factions, claiming, “I follow Apollos,” while others said, “I follow Paul.”
Apollos was an important teacher in Corinth, even though his ministry was not permanent—he was more of a transitional figure, often moving from one city to another.
Other Locations
In Titus 3:13, Apollos is mentioned as being on the move, suggesting that his ministry continued to expand across the broader regions.
He is also associated with the churches of the region, especially in the context of Corinth.
Defining the Local Church Geographically for Apollos
Now, if we try to apply the term “local church” geographically to Apollos’s ministry, we are really talking about the broader geographical area where he was most active—Corinth, Ephesus, and possibly other regions he visited. In this case, "local church" would refer not just to a single congregation, but to multiple congregations or all believers in a city or region that were connected to Apollos’s ministry, and whom he influenced.
Why Geographical Makes Sense:
Corinth as a Larger Region
In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of “the church of God that is in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2). While this could technically refer to a single congregation, it’s likely that multiple house churches existed in Corinth (as we know was common in the early church), especially considering the size of the city.
Apollos would have been a key leader within that larger “local church” (i.e., all the churches in the Corinthian region or the broader gathering of believers in the city).
Ephesus as a Starting Point
Apollos began his ministry in Ephesus, a major city with a growing Christian community. The local church in Ephesus likely referred to all the believers in the city, which could have included multiple house churches.
Apollos’s training and teaching in Ephesus contributed to the larger local church network that eventually sent him to Corinth and beyond.
Apollos as a Regional Minister
Apollos’s influence wasn’t confined to one congregation but spanned regions. His travels between Ephesus, Corinth, and potentially other regions suggest he was active in a broader sense, working with a network of churches in multiple cities or regions, making a geographical definition more fitting than just a single congregation.
Fellowship Across Local Churches
In the early church, believers often viewed themselves as part of the same body, even if they met in different locations. Paul’s letters demonstrate this when he refers to the “churches of Galatia”, or the “churches of Macedonia,” suggesting a unity across multiple congregations in one region.
Apollos, being part of this network of churches, would have contributed to the unity and mutual edification of the local church in that broader sense.
Conclusion:
For Apollos, defining the "local church" geographically seems more fitting than focusing on a single congregation. Since Apollos was a traveling teacher, connected to multiple cities and churches (Ephesus, Corinth, and potentially other areas), the term “local church” in his case would likely refer to the regional or geographical body of believers in each area he ministered to—particularly in Corinth and Ephesus, where he had significant influence.
Thus, the “local church” for Apollos would include not just a single gathering but the entire network of believers in those regions, united under the broader umbrella of Christian faith and fellowship.