Is Church Membership Biblical?
QUESTION: Is Church Membership Biblical?
ANSWER: Formal Church Membership IS NOT explicit, BUT it is the LOGICAL CONCLUSION of the New Testament.
Let me give you 5 REASONS we believe this —or— 5 Gospel-Displays or 10 Arrows (3 ways to present the same information) LISTEN to the sermon on this topic.
5 REASONS
5 Reasons we believe Church Membership is the logical conclusion of the New Testament.
REASON #1: Membership in the Universal Church is lived out as membership in a local church.
Acts 2:36–47; 4:32; 5:14; 6:7; 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; 14:23; 15:41; 16:5; 18:22; 20:17; Romans 16; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1; Phlmn 1; Rev 1:4; Phil 1:1
REASON #2 Membership SUBMITS to the Authority of Christ through His Church.
Keys of the Kingdom (Matt 16:13–19; Matt 18:15–20)
Authority to Affirm True Confessions thru Baptism (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38)
Authority to Deny False Confessions thru Discipline (Matt 18:15–20; 1 Cor 5:1–12)
REASON #3 Membership FACILITATES the Shepherding of Christ over His flock.
1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17; 1 Tim 5:17
REASON #4: Membership FUNCTIONS as the Discipleship Relationship in which the Great Commission is fulfilled.
Matt 28:18-20; Titus 2; 2 Tim 2:1-2
REASON #5: Membership CULTIVATES the Covenant-Community we see in the New Testament.
1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Pet 2:4-12; Heb 3:12-13
5 GOSPEL-DISPLAYS
How the local church displays the Gospel, grace, and glory of Christ.
Ultimately, the best way for THE Church to display the Gospel, Grace and Glory of Jesus is through COVENANT MEMBERSHIP in a local church.
#1: Christ ORDAINED His Church to be an outpost of His Kingdom in every place.
Membership in a local church glorifies Christ by identifying with His Church in your local community.
Acts 2:36–47; 4:32; 5:14; 6:7; 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; 14:23; 15:41; 16:5; 18:22; 20:17; Romans 16; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1; Phlmn 1; Rev 1:4; Phil 1:1
#2: Christ AUTHORIZED His Church to AFFIRM true confessions through Baptism and DENY False Confessions through Discipline
Membership in a local church glorifies Christ by submitting to His Authority.
Matt 28:18-20; Matt 16:13–19; Matt 18:15–20; 1 Cor 5:1–12)
#3: Christ SHEPHERDS His Church through ordained elders – and He will hold them accountable.
Membership in a local church glorifies Christ by being led, fed, and protected by His under-shepherds.
1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17; 1 Tim 5:17
#4: Christ COMMISSIONED His Church to make, baptize, and teach disciples.
Membership in a local church glorifies Christ by fulfilling that commission according to His discipleship model.
1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Pet 2:4-12; Heb 3:12-13
#5: Christ REDEEMED His Church to create the New Covenant COMMUNITY.
Membership in a local church glorifies Christ by covenanting with that community to demonstrate His love to “one-another.”
1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Pet 2:4-12; Heb 3:12-13
10 ARROWS
10 Arrows that point to Church Membership in the New Testament
The Church is the result of the Gospel, not individual disciples (Corporate-Nature of God’s People from Israel in Gen 12 to Revelation).
Membership understands corporate vs individual nature of God’s people.
The Church became local churches (Acts 13:1; 14:23; 1 Cor 1:2; Rom 16)
Membership identifies with a specific local church.
The local church consists of three kinds of people: saints, elders, and deacons (Phil 1:1).
Membership is being one of these kinds of people within a local church.
The fact the Lord “added to” the Church and they kept numbers and lists. (Acts 2:47; ex: widows 1 Tim 5:3-16)
Membership is being added to a church, included in their number, on their list.
The Keys of the Kingdom and the reality of Church Discipline (Matt 16:15-19; Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:1-12 “be removed from”)
Membership submits to the authority of Christ through His Church.
The elders’ responsibility to God’s Flock (1 Pet 5:1-4; Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17 “give an account”).
Membership defines those the elders are to shepherd and for whom they will give an account.
The Christian’s relationship and responsibilities to their leaders (Heb 13:7,17; 1 Tim 5)
Membership submits to the elders of a specific local church.
The Great Commission and Discipleship Relationship (Modeled by Jesus, Paul, Titus 2)
Membership functions as the discipleship relationship in which the Great Commission is fulfilled.
The Metaphors used to describe the church: Body (1 Cor 12; Rom 12, Eph 4), Building (1 Pet 2), Family (Eph 2; Gal 6; Titus 2)
Membership actualizes these metaphors.
The covenant-community and ministry of “one-anothering.” (ex: Heb 3:12-13)
Membership cultivates this Covenant-Community.
IMPORTANT: While we believe church membership is biblical and, therefore, best for every Christian, we WELCOME non-members to join us in worship, community, and mission. EVERYONE is welcome here!