Welcome to the very first episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century in 2025. I can't believe that we are,

amazingly, a quarter of the way through the 21st century. But we're glad you've taken time here to join us on this

particular episode. Today we're going to be talking about something that is very important to

apostolics and very important to Christians everywhere, at least should be. We're going to be

talking about why you should be part of a local church. And with us today, as always, is Dr. David K. Bernard, who's going to be

talking about the importance of being part of a local church. Dr. Bernard, I doubt there is a single

apostolic person out there who has had not had this experience of witnessing to somebody. Maybe I'm

speaking a little too generally, but many of us have had that

experience. We've witnessed to somebody. We've invited them to church, and we've gotten a response

that was something like this. They might say, I'm a Christian. I believe in Jesus. I read the

Bible, but I'm not part of a local church because my faith is personal. It's between me and Jesus and I don't need to be part of a church.

I don't need to attend church.

How should you respond to that argument?

My answer is that according to the Bible, we should be part of a local congregation.

And that philosophy is very individualistic. It's really

contrary to human nature and it's certainly contrary to scripture. I've also had people say,

well, I just go where the spirit leads me. And I would say, well, the spirit is not going to lead you

personally contrary to what the spirit is told, everywhere through the written word.

So, for example, Hebrews 10, 25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. So that's pretty pertinent. And even more so as you see the day approaching.

So as you see judgment coming, how much more should you be connected?

The same book going into Hebrews 14 talks about, obey those that have the rule over you.

And it's not talking about dictatorial leadership, it's talking about being accountable to spiritual authority.

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