3 Key Principles for Biblical Church Membership

Introduction

What church membership is...

“commitment to a local community of believers that are part of the bigger global church. A place to exercise commitment to the body of Christ, an opportunity to serve the Kingdom and the community, and a place that provides biblical accountability.”

What Church membership is not...

“a social club created to be self serving. Membership in a local body does not equate to salvation nor does it provide a ticket for entry into eternity.“

I. Church membership was modeled in the early church.

Ekklesia

In the NT, there is a single Greek word that we translate "church:" ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklesia)—along with five variations.

Strong's Concordance defines this word as "an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers."

In total, this word is found 114 times in the NT.

Ekklesia is comprised of two Greek words: ek, which means "out from and to", and kaléō, which means "to call." In other words, the word literally means "the called out" or, when applied specifically to Jesus' church, "the called out of the world and to Jesus."

Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary definition:

[Ekklesia] has two applications to companies of Christians, (a) to the whole company of the redeemed throughout the present era...(b) in the singular number (e.g., Matt. 18:17, RV marg., "congregation"), to a company consisting of professed believers..." (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary, W.E. Vine, p.42)

Paul’s Epistles

Rome

Romans 1:7 NASB95

7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Corinth

1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB95

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

2 Corinthians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:

Galatia

Galatians 1:2 NASB95

2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Ephesus

Ephesians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Phillippi

Philippians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Colossae

Colossians 1:2 NASB95

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Thessalonika

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

II. Church leadership responsibilities require church membership.

1 Peter 5:1-11

Hebrews 13:17-18

III. Church discipline cannot occur without church membership.

What is church discipline?

How is church discipline exercised?

Matthew 18:15-17

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Conclusion

The requirement of Salvation...

Epistle introductions...

Our Mission

Love God

Love Others

Make Disciples

“Disciple” - a believer maturing to live and serve like Jesus.