Please comment on the controversy of the Local versus Universal Church.

First, as to the local/universal church argument. I believe that I believe that the church has its present, visible manifestation in the institution of the local church. And, I believe that this local church is the main emphasis of the New Testament and is the church through which God does His earthly work in this age.

Yet, I also believe that there is a spiritual body of believers. This is the body of Christ to which all believers belong. In the sense that all believers are "in Christ" and members of His body, flesh, and bones (Ephesians 5:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
See All...), in that sense we are in the body of Christ. This body of all believers is ultimately the church for which Christ died on the cross (Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
See All...).

However, this body of all believers is not the body through which God does His work on earth today. It is incomplete since some have not yet been saved. It is scattered with some on earth and others in heaven. It has not yet met for its first church service. It is indeed the church in prospect and will in the future be the body through which God does His work. Though it is today a spiritual reality, it is not yet in operation practically. Knowledge of its existence provides a wonderful inner blessing but it cannot be used in a plan for world-evangelism--that is the job of the local church--the church of this age.

Now, as to what constitutes a New Testament church. It is a body of baptized believers organized for the purpose of assembling as a church, ministering to each other, worshipping God, and reaching out to a lost world. Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
See All... where two or three meet together in His name is only the seed doctrine for the church. It is not a full definition. That must be developed from many scriptures.

Ultimately, the church is the people. We see this in Acts 14:27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
See All... where Paul comes to Antioch and the church is gathered together so that he might report to them. But a church must also be scripturally organized as a church. A casual meeting of believers is not a church. A church is tied to a location throughout the New Testament. I believe it is made up of baptized believers (Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
See All...). It is to be ruled over by a pastor (1 Timothy 3:4-5 [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; [5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
See All...) though it certainly does not cease to be a church when it is between pastors.