Church Membership

Text: Acts 2:40-47

1. Those that gladly received the message Peter preached- Believed by Faith

2. They were baptized-Greek word baptezo, meaning to “dip in or under” “to be drowned”

3. 3,000 souls were ADDED TO THEM! (JOINED WITH, BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH, MEMBERS)

*THEY HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON, EATING TOGETHER AND FELLOWSHIPPED TOGETHER, MEETING EACH OTHERS NEEDS!

4. THE LORD IS WHO ADDS TO HIS CHURCH!

*Remember that during this time, there were in general only one True New Testament Church in a particular city or town.

It is true that you will not see the word membership in the Bible! But the Bible is written as to understand that membership of a church is foundational. Just like the word Trinity is not in the Bible, but it is to be understood as a foundational truth implied throughout scripture!

SO WHY IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SO IMPORTANT?

I attend a couple Sunday’s a month, I give ever now and then, SO what is so important about filling out a membership card and being biblically baptized?

*I am so glad you asked!! here we go!

1. Membership is VITALLY IMPORTANT TO JESUS!

a. Jesus is not indifferent about the church- He died for it!

b. The church is His body- (1 Cor 12:27) 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

c. The church is His bride- (2 Cor 11:2)

d. We can not overstate the level of Christ’s commitment to the church!

*so why would we ever think lightly about our own commitment?

2. Membership matters for pastors

a. it has eternal implications- (1 Cor 3:9-15)

b. who exactly makes up the flock of God that I am accountable for? (Heb 13:17)

is it everyone that comes through our doors?

is it everyone in our town?

is it every person I meet?

c. How do I define “the flock”?

it has to be the church membership list! Those on that list should be born again believers who have committed themselves to our church.

these are the ones I am most responsible for!

3. Membership matters to our church/community

a. IT IS NOT ONLY PASTORS who have a God given responsibility to care for the local church! Every believer has a part in this as well! (Gal 6:2) (Heb 10:24-25)

b. By committing to membership, we say this to other members: “I am committed to you, and I trust that you are committed to me.”

c. Membership actually bolsters genuine community!