Episode 2: Is Church Membership Biblical?

In this episode we will discuss the meaning of Church Membership and explore the biblical patterns and examples that we are to follow.

This ministry is sponsored by “Words of Hope”.

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Transcript

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Welcome Words of Salvation. This is the second episode of our series. Why is Church Important? In this episode, we will answer the question is church membership biblical? While the Bible does not directly give us a handbook of church membership. The model of Jesus' expectation is clearly taught and it is scriptural. Unfortunately, people's perception of what church membership means is more often influenced by culture rather than the bible. When we hear membership, we immediately think of Sam's Club or the YMCA. think of signing contracts, paying dues, and getting special ID cards. But God has a plan for every saved person, and the church is at the center of God's plan for every Christian today, but it's remarkable how many people claim to be saved by the grace of God through Christ. Yet in the same breath they say they do not have to be a member of the church to be a good Christian. This is clearly not the biblical model, and as a result, the church has been severely devalued in our society to understand the necessity of church membership, we must have a proper view of the church. Let's begin with a brief recap of our previous episode. What does a New Testament church look like? The local church is a visible institution or representation of the Kingdom of Christ left on earth, established by Jesus Christ during his personal ministry and consist of born again baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Many try to justify their own existence as a congregational group by claiming the church to be an invisible spiritual group made up of all saved people. However, the Bible knows. No such doctrine. We have previously addressed the institutional meaning of the church in the aggregate sense. The biblical word for church ecclesia is used 36 places in the Bible as plural churches, and 75 places used in the singular other figures are also used for the church and confirms the one meaning assembly, building, body, bride, congregation, company, family, flock, fold, house, slam temple, vine wife, woman Christ used the word ecclesia 22 times and there can be no question that he meant a local visible assembly. So why do you need church? Here's three primary reasons. Number one, Jesus set it up. Number two, he wanted his people to publicly assemble for worship. Number three, the church has the commission to spread the gospel and not individuals. It is God's plan that we would belong. To local churches. God's plan for his church is that every saved person is required, or at the very least, expected to belong to a local covenant community of faith known. As the church, church membership is biblical and it is also for our own protection, spiritual growth, and for the good of others. Many do not view church membership as a God giving requirement as it should be. One major problem is that many Christians want to reap the spiritual benefits of salvation without labor and commitment toward the Lord's Church, and that's a problem. What is a member, a member? Can be defined as an individual of a community or a society. Every citizen is a member of the state or the body public. So the individuals of a club, a corporation, are called it's members, so again, we asked the question, is church membership biblical? Let's look at what the Bible actually teaches. Member is a biblical word. Three words in the New Testament are translated as member. Oh, chaos. A member of a household, Ephesians two and 19 says, so then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the Saints and members of the household of God. Metha, a member, a share or participant is used in Ephesians three and six, Mel Loss, a member or a body part is used in numerous places. Romans 12 14, 1 Corinthians six 15, Ephesians 4 25, 5 and 30, Colossians three and 15. But these three Greek words give us insight to what member means from a biblical perspective. First, it denotes a family connectivity. This is why Christians have called one another brother and sister since the earliest days of the church. These labels aren't Christian jargon. They make a theological statement about who we are as members of God's Covenant family. Second, it implies active participation, mutual giving, and taking, and doing life. I. Together. This is a very rich expression for the intimate life sharing connectivity that it means to be a member of the Lord's Church. Third, it teaches our union with Christ and our union with one another. The body of Christ is not just a symbolic metaphor for the church. It's a statement about who the church is in relation to the world. The analogy of the body given in Corinthians is contextually referring to the local body of the church at Corinth, one Corinthians 12 and 27. When Christ left the earth, he didn't really leave. He actually chose to manifest himself differently through the church, his body, by the end, dwelling of his Holy Spirit and empowering the church through his Holy Spirit. Matthew 18 and 20 says, for where two or three are gathered together in my name. There am I in the midst of them? As odd as it sounds, if people to physically experience Christ, they are to look at the church, a member, and this understanding is a body part of Christ. The church is to be a pitcher. Of this image. Membership, also places upon us in escapable obligations and obligation to make our church and its work first in our lives. An obligation to use our time and our talents for the glory of God. An obligation to work for the church, an obligation to use our talents, our influence, our means. Churches are never stronger than their membership and a membership of worldly. Careless, negligent Christians will prevent a church from accomplishing much for the Lord. Every church's need is for every member to be consecrated, trained and enlisted in active service. There are a lot of objections to membership that I have heard some people say, I don't need to take a class or sign on the dotted line to be a part of the church. It's really about a heart commitment, not membership. The church is corrupt. It's just about money. Or a pastor's ego or one might say, I love Jesus. It's the church I have a problem with. When you organize the church, it becomes legalistic and loses power. Today's church is full of hypocrisy and imperfection. But let me answer those objections by saying this. In our rebellious society, fewer and fewer are willing to submit to the God-given authority in the local church. Subordination is a requirement not only to the Lord, but also to each other through. The local church. It is an act of rebellion and denial of the accountability we hold toward one another to forsake the assembly. The early Christians were to show proper respect to those in leadership positions, and they were to submit to their spiritual instructions so long as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Savior and the Holy Word of God. The obligation to obedience does not extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of conscience or a violation of the word of God, but making a mountain out of a molehill only causes. People to stumble. The doctrine is that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord. That is biblical. Hebrews 13. 17, obey them that have rule over you and submit yourself for they watch for your souls as they must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief. For that is unprofitable for you. I am thankful for good pastors and good leaders that give good examples. So what is the meaning of membership? Let's look at a few things. First, it means that you realize that you're not only called to Jesus, but you're called into an Ecclesia, a congregation, or a community. We don't believe people are saved by God through becoming church members, but we understand when God saves. We are to be a biblical example and immediately identify with a community of other Christ followers. We are saved into his fellowship of the Father, son, and the Holy Ghost, and we are to unite with the fellowship of all others who share in that divine life, and that is called church. It means that you are recognizing that you're weak and that you therefore need support of other Christians to hold you to the commitment and accountability and support of your weakness. We are all weak. We all sin. We all make mistakes, but being part of a church community means we are accountable one to another. It also means that you're choosing not to treat the church like a consumer product. There are church shoppers and church hoppers, but we are to identify with a local church and we are to take care of God's business it means we have made a commitment and backing out becomes much more difficult. If there's conflict that arises, we are to deal with it and not run away. It also means that we help lead and guide the church and enjoy the benefits that the Lord has commanded. It means that we're to engage in discipleship. It means that you want to be fully committed. As a part of the vehicle that God has created to change the world, it also means that you are willing to promise God and fellow Christians to commit your life for the cause of Jesus Christ. Church membership is a privilege. It's not a right. did not give myself this right. I did not earn this privilege. This honor was bestowed upon me by Christ and the church. Jesus Christ saved my soul, and I became a part of his church, and specifically the members of the local body that I am accountable to and I am. Thankful to be a part of the Lord's Church. The church doesn't beg for members, nor should it compromise the truth to get them. We are instructed to follow the Lord in baptism and identify with a local body in Christ. The message of repentance and baptism go hand in hand. Jesus said in the gospel of Mark, he who believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, 3000 souls were converted or saved and united with the church at Jerusalem. So there are three prerequisites of church membership number one. It's the new birth. You must be born again. You must be a qualified candidate. We do believe and teach and regenerate church membership. Secondly, scriptural baptism, a proper candidate which is saved. The proper mode of baptism is immersion by the proper authority, which has been given to. The church, every church has the responsibility to assure scriptural baptism and so does the individual. Thirdly, there must be evidence of a Christian character, evidence of a changed life. The Gospel of Matthew 28 and 20. Jesus says, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever. I have commanded you and low I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. So let's talk about the pledge of membership. As a church member, we are pledging our lives to serve Jesus Christ through his church. A pledge is a promise or a covenant, which is biblical. Church membership is a covenant relationship. You have a responsibility first to Christ and secondly to the body of Christ, which is the church to which you belong. Church membership is a pledge of commitment to maintain your responsibilities and when you join the church, you enter into a covenant or a promise with God's people. So there are many examples of covenants in the word of God, and that is biblical. Exodus 24 and seven, and he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the audience of the people and they said all that the Lord has said, we will do and be obedient. God made a covenant with the people and the people made a covenant with one another. As members of a New Testament church, we have promised to support one another, support his church with our attendance, our finances, our efforts as members. The church's success is our responsibility and its failure and our fault., It's spirituality is our responsibility, and it's carnality. Is our fault. It's good. Name is our responsibility and it's bad name is our fault. Second Thessalonians three and six. Now we command you brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourself from every brother that walketh, disorderly, and not after the tradition which he has received of us. The church does have a right. To oversee the members which are identified with that local body. Church discipline can be a difficult subject, but is a necessary one. Let's talk about identifying with a local body and look at some scriptural examples of church membership. When you become a member, you are identifying. With that local body and you're committing yourself with the congregation, and that is the way they did it in the Bible. The Lord adds to the church Acts two and 47 and praising God and having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved. The proper order is repentance and baptism. And then identifying and serving Christ through the local church. I've been asked the question about communal living as a biblical model. In the early church, we see the example of Paul. You can read in Acts 1120 through 27, he was baptized by Ananias and Damascus. Later he came to Jerusalem. He identified with this body, the Church of Jerusalem. But being persecuted and hated by the Jews who were trying to kill him, he fled. He had to leave. Paul spent a number of years in isolation before God opened the door for his ministry. I. Barnabas had went to Antioch and was helping there, and he sent for Paul's assistance and Paul came and committed himself to the church at Antioch. And if you're looking for a good example of a transference of membership, this is a good one. Paul taught there for a solid year and revival was breaking out at Antioch. And this is where Paul based his ministry. And guess what happened? The Lord opened the door. Acts 13 and two says, as they ministered to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said, separate me, Barnabas and saw for the work. And two I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them. They sent them away. Paul was ordained there. He began his ministry, the work of his three missionary journeys and established many local churches and fulfilled his commission as an apostle born out of due season. The practice of church letters is also biblical. I don't want to go too deeply in this, but let's look at it from a biblical perspective. Acts 18 and 27. Apollo moved from Ephesus to Corinth, it says, and when he was disposed to pass into Acacia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him. A letter was simply that of a recommendation that a traveler carried with them when moving from one place to another. During that time, if you were not a citizen of Rome, you had to have such letters so that you could move about freely. Paul was a free man, but we see many examples of those who are recommended to other churches in this manner. Citizenship was required to move about freely. Slaves or non-citizens could carry letters from a recognized citizen to state their business, and such was the practice in the church. Romans 16 and one is a good example. Paul says, I commend unto you, Phoebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church, which is at Centuria. That you receive her in the Lord as become a saints and that you assist her in whatsoever business. She hath need of for sheth, been a secure of many and of myself. Also Phoebe identified with the Church of Rome. Why is church membership important? I'll give you three reasons. Number one, the Bible instructs us to come together as a church. We're not to be renegades. We are to assemble ourselves one with another. Hebrews 10 and 25, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching. Secondly, a covenant relationship with Christ and with other Christians. The New Testament or the new Covenant Church, we are to make that pledge, that promise we are to enter into a covenant relationship with other believers. And lastly, it's the only institution on Earth commissioned directly by Jesus Christ himself, with the authority to preach his gospel and carry out his commands. The Great commission in Matthew 28 and 19. Was given to the church. Go ye therefore, and teach All Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Well, let's look at some benefits of church membership. It is a great joy to be a church member. You can receive something here that cannot be purchased. Spiritual joy. What a blessing it is when God's spirit shows up collectively, when God's people are gathered together and pours out his Holy Spirit, there is no comparison. It's not only a spiritual joy, it's a social joy. There's a network of friends. Some of the greatest friends in relationships that I have ever had have occurred. Through the church and it is a divine joy to know that you are in the center of God's will and something that he created for us and that should give us great peace and contentment. I. Again, we will state that there are all types of memberships in this country. You can be a member of Sam's Club, a rewards member of Chick-fil-A. Yet all of these memberships are voluntary in church membership. Unlike all of these, there is something fundamentally different about being a member of the Lord's Church. It is the greatest privilege that we can have as a Christian to be a part of his local body. Church membership is biblically modeled. We talked about the word member and it's used in a few other vital places in the scriptures like Romans 12, four and five, one Corinthians 12 and 12. In Ephesians five and 29, each of these passages refers to individuals becoming members of the local church. In Acts chapter six. The church is neglecting the care for certain widows. Surely the daily distribution was not for all widows of Jerusalem, but it was speaking specifically about those for the church. So the church acted upon this, and it was a church that made the decision to look out among them and choose seven men to. Look over this work, and it was the church's responsibility to look out among them and choose seven men who were full of the Holy Spirit to take care of this work. And they were ordained as the first deacons and the church, both Matthew 18, 15 through 18 and one Corinthians five, one through 12. Deal with church discipline. When a person continues in sin, the issue must be told to the church and can eventually lead to the removal from the church. A lot of people have a problem with church discipline, and I know we all make mistakes and we all have sin, but those who do not conform to the image of Christ, or those who bring a public reproach upon the Lord's Church are to be dealt with accordingly, In conclusion, every penitent believer is a generate person. And regeneration is the spiritual process by which we become new creatures in Christ Jesus, or in other words, we're born again, born of the spirit, born from above quickened together. So that is the first requirement for church membership to be saved. Baptism is the threshold in the church. And let's take a moment to deal with baptism. Baptism is extremely important and it's. Just not the biblical model to be saved and not be baptized and be a part of the church. Baptism is the immersion or dipping of a believer in water, symbolizing the complete renewal and spiritual change in the believer's life, and testifying to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the way of salvation. Baptism has also been one of the identifying marks of the true church down through the ages of time. It identifies an individual with a visible body of believers. It is the ceremonial requirement for the church. Baptism is not a requirement of salvation, but it is a requirement of obedience. Baptism is a first step of discipleship. Although all meanings of baptism are significant, the one most often that comes to mind is that water baptism is a picture of having to come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Baptism is not the event, but rather a picture. Of the event. So the pattern of obedience is to come to Christ and faith and repentance and the submit to the local church through baptism there must be outward signs of Christian character that are visible as a born again believer in Christ abstinence from open, blatant condemning sin should be evidence of a new life in Christ. There should be fruit or evidence of a godly lifestyle that is present after a person is saved no person is a qualified candidate for church membership or baptism if they are not willing to live a moral lifestyle that reflects Jesus Christ and the commandments given in his word. Sin that is present must be confessed and is not continually to be embraced. So you can get saved and go to heaven without ever being associated with a church. And examples of the thief on the cross, you can be associated with a group of people that call themselves a church and never be saved. The New Testament makes the assumption that once you get saved, you will voluntarily submit to baptism and identify with the local body or the New Testament Church. If you want to reap the full benefits of Christianity, it must be accomplished through the local visible church. Is church membership biblical? The answer is absolutely and emphatically yes, it is biblical. While human imperfection will always exist, the church has prevailed through the centuries of time and will be preaching the gospel when Christ returns. Finally, the church is the espouse bride of Jesus Christ and she is the apple of his. I, God bless you, is our prayer. Thank you for listening to Words of Salvation. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments at words of salvation tn@gmail.com. Please continue listening to a very beautiful rendition of it as well with my soul. Thank you and God bless you. Is our prayer.