Membership in the Church
As we have stated in a
previous article, the church is the collection of members; The Called Out, and
not the building. In this article we will look at how to become a member of the
church; both universally and locally.
Am I member or not?
Several years ago, a friend
of mine was baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:38, 47). I was preaching a
lesson later that evening and commented that he was added to the church but was
not a member of the local congregation. The next day, as I was studying with
the local preacher, he brought up what I said and the confusion it brought on
my friend when I made that statement. His question was, Am I a member or not?
From there members explained to him the difference between two “types” of
churches.
The Universal Church
To become a member of the
universal church, which is also known as The Kingdom, you have to show obedience
to the gospel. To that you must do all of these listed below…
Believe Jesus is the Son of God
(John 8:24)
Confess Jesus is the Son of God
(Rom. 10:9-10)
Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)
Become baptized to wash away your
sins (Acts 22:16)
Live Faithfully even unto Death
(Rev. 2:10)
Once you’ve been baptized
you then become a member of the universal church. Peter preaches about this in
Acts 2 and verse 47, praising
God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved. The reason that there is a
difference is because there are churches (congregations) all over the world.
You read of different congregations in Acts and the epistles. In Revelation
chapters 2 and 3, seven different churches are mentioned.
One can be a member of the
Universal church but not yet be a member of the local church. Yet, when you
travel to other cities, states, and countries, you’ll be welcomed by
congregations who will recognize you as a member of the Lord’s Body (Eph.
1:22-23; Col. 1:18).
The Local Church
To become a member of the
local church, all one has to do is to inquire of the local brethren and show an
interest in joining. Usually one joins a congregation that is, not only
faithful but also, in the area of where you live. Naturally this isn’t always possible
as the local congregation where you live is more of a liberal group (more on
that in a future article).
One thing to remember is
that just because “Church of Christ” is on the sign, doesn’t mean that they are
a faithful congregation. You have to know what they stand for while comparing
it to what the bible teaches. If they aren’t on the same page with scriptures
(pun, not intended), then they aren’t a faithful group.
Sometimes a local
congregation may be a town or two away with the possibility of traveling for an
hour or more just to get to the building. It may seem an inconvenience but to
be a true member you have to go where the faithful assemble. If you are
determined to meet with a faithful congregation then that 50-minute drive won’t
be an inconvenience at all. If possible, perhaps you could move closer to the
area to make sure you will continue to assemble. It’s all too easy to argue
that it’s too far and choose a different congregation that’s closer even if
they aren’t as faithful as you’d like.
Newly baptized members
usually will stay on with the group that they assemble with, while those who have
been Christians (for a while) may move into a new town and want to place
membership. In the case of the latter, either the elders or some of men of the
congregation will get together and discuss bible beliefs to make sure that they
are compatible with the one who seeks membership.
Do I have to join a Local congregation?
This question may come up in
discussion with those who are new to the area and simply begin to assemble with
a local congregation but don’t express any interest in placing membership. They
might not feel the need to since they are Universal members. It’s important to
the local group as you will be seen as a member and not simply a visitor. A
member will be given a more active role in the congregation; men to partake in
the service and women to teach younger women and children during bible class.
To become a member of a
local congregation shows that you are concerned about the things that happen in
that place and want to help in the edification of its members. Not that we
don’t trust visitors, you might not be allowed to assist in the Lord’s Supper,
leading a prayer, or teaching a class. When you become a member, it shows your
full dedication to that assembly and not another.
Some might not join a local
congregation to avoid being withdrawn from. In 1 Cor. 5 there was a serious
issue among the brethren there that a member had his father’s wife (vs. 1). It
goes on to tell them that they need to withdraw in the hopes of getting him to
repent (vs. 5). Paul had warned them not to keep company with these types of
people (vs. 9-11).
Now suppose that man stated
that he was never made a member of that congregation therefore he couldn’t be
withdrawn from? People like this see it as a form of loophole in scripture.
Paul has the solution to this in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, But we command you, brethren, in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who
walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. The
phrase “from every brother” would include any member of the Universal church even
if they aren’t of the local congregation.
Conclusion
Membership in the local congregation
is just as important as that of the universal church. It gives you a sense of
belonging as well as accountability for your own actions. Join to edify the
brethren there in addition to being edified by the brothers and sister in
Christ who will care about you.
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