Biblical Church Membership

Believe and Belong Lesson 2 Church Membership

Texts:?Matthew 16:15 He (Jesus) saith to them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God….18. And I say also unto thee: that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word (Peter’s sermon) were baptized, and the same day there were added to them (the church) about three thousand souls. 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47. Praising God, and having favor with all the people: and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Introduction:?

The church, or?ekklesia?(Greek – called out assembly) is mentioned twice in Matthew by Jesus. A few months later at Pentecost, we find a group of about 120 persons filled with the Holy Spirit assembled together, and 3000 new believers were baptized and added to the church. Soon an additional 5000 men were added. After they were threatened by the Jewish leadership, the apostles went back to “their own company” (Acts 4:23). They were meeting in the temple on Solomon’s porch, and after the disciplinary deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, others did not dare to join them without considering the cost carefully. After Paul was saved and baptized in Damascus, when he came to Jerusalem, he made an effort to join the church, but all feared him until Barnabas introduced him to the apostles. Therefore, we see that there was a specific group of individuals set apart together in Jerusalem which formed a specific church, well identified, and separated from unbelievers. Church membership was important and not something considered lightly.?

What a difference today! Many never go to church, or perhaps only on Christmas and Easter. Others go to church when they feel like it. Still others decide on a church based on their music or extra-curricular activities. Faithfulness to the services, service and fellowship with other believers are deemed unimportant. Little consideration is given to the teaching (doctrine) and beliefs of the church, or the testimony of its membership. So-called church hopping becomes common. Church discipline becomes difficult because the disciplined member simply leaves and joins another body of believers without worrying about setting things right before his departure. No wonder the church has minimal impact on society. Instead of the church invading the world with the gospel, the world is invading and changing the church.

The church has a definite structure in the Bible. It consists of a group of baptized believers who are voluntarily joined together to fulfill the great commission. They are separated from others. They have a set of beliefs. They have certain behaviors which are manifested because Jesus lives in each member, who is expected to reflect Jesus’ presence in his life.?

The church has a definite membership consisting of baptized believers. When the church began to accept individuals who were not truly born again, the church became weakened. When the state began to use infant baptism as a means of strengthening the state and establishing a state church, with the state supporting the church, the church again was weakened, and its testimony became tainted with worldliness and immorality.?

Several metaphors describe the church. I will mention three:

1.?????The church is described as?the body of Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head.?I Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (speaking of spiritual gifts) 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ….26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all members rejoice with it.??Colossians 1:18a And He (Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church…??To properly function, the body needs all its parts, each of which has a specific task for which it is uniquely formed. The head, of course, directs what the rest of the body does. Furthermore, you may not put someone else’s body part in your body – your immune system will detect and reject it. The commonality of the body is its DNA. When you try to put together those who are truly saved and those who are not, you are asking for trouble. All are welcome to come and hear the gospel, but not all are to be members. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, they can try to conform on the outside, but there will be trouble on the inside of the individual which will later likely cause trouble in the body. On the other hand, for all the parts of the body, if one part hurts, the entire body feels it. And if one part is honored, the honor goes to the entire body. If one part is removed from the body, the body is weakened and the part which is removed cannot function further.

2.?????The church is described as a?household.?Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.??A household lives and works together. Each has his place and his role.?

3.?????The church is described as a?building.?Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly formed together growth into a holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.?A building has many parts, but if the parts are not in the right place, then the building cannot function properly. If the various building blocks are scattered on the ground, they are of minimal value until they are put into the building. In the same way, believers who are built into the church need to be in the right spot faithfully.?

In conclusion,?church membership is important for the members, and??for the church. To be maximally effective, the church requires a saved membership of committed baptized believers who will manifest Christ in their lives and bind together in the church, which is the body of Christ, with Christ as the head.?

Dr. Bob Patton Professor of Missions and Health, Crown College www.teachingmissions.com

Note: I am planning to add additional newsletters from time to time on various topics. I recently updated five textbooks on missions, and plan to share information on translation, the topic of Issues in Missiology Volume 3, in the near future.