Something more is demanded and expected. Action is required. Still others think the work done by the local church of which one becomes a part by local identity, viz. , attendance, giving and encouraging those who actually do the works, is all that is required. It is evident that believers are burdened with responsibilities which are not to become the burden of the local church. One cannot, therefore, fulfill all God expects of him as a Christian by faithfully discharging his duty as a member of the local church.
Additional work is required.
Such reasoning is without logic. In the first place, there is no scriptural authority for the local church to be involved in such activities but, even if there were, it would not relieve the Christian of his responsibility to do the works God specifically requires of him. Teaching Neglected Over the past third century, discussion of issues relating to institutionalism and the work of the local church have somewhat eclipsed our teaching concerning the Christian's personal work. One could readily get the impression that God's people only work through the local congregation, or that at least most of the work is to be done by the organized efforts of the local body. The institutionalist position in essence destroyed the need for the Christian to work.