The Church Defined: Health Indicator #6 Church Membership

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Acts 2:41–47 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Are you a gamophobic?

91 percent of Americans claim to be religious. 63 percent of the 91 reject the idea of absolutes.

According to a 1998 Barna poll 43 percent of people that claim the Christian faith say that they are absolutely committed to the Christian faith.

What Is a Church?

Not a building : New England Puritans called the building the “meeting house.”

Not merely a club

The majority of the time the word is used in the New Testament show that it refers to a local gathering of believers.

Few passages seem to refer to a spiritual or universal group. But this could mean that the principles taught are universally applicable to every local church.

Why Join a Church?

Modern church growth experts would say that church membership is unnecessary and even counterproductive to church growth. These hold a belief that as long as you more and more people attending and giving then you shouldn’t worry about their commitment to the church. Rather you should worry about providing their wants.

But the responsibilities of the church belong to believers, commited believers. Those who will not be afraid to identify with Christ through Baptism and church membership.

Christians who regularly partake of the Lord’s Table and desire to hear God’s Word preached and obey Him. They desire regular fellowship (not just around the crock pot).

We desire to show the fruit of the Spirit within and without the church meeting house.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. To Assure Ourselves

John 13:17 KJV 1900

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 14:14 KJV 1900

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 14:21 KJV 1900

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 15:10 KJV 1900

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

How can you do these things without committing yourself to a local church?

Many times people will say that they do not want to join a church because it is not exactly what they want the church to be. But becoming a church member is more about trusting the Lord than the people that make up the church.

1 John 4:20 KJV 1900

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

2. To Evangelize the World

Galatians 1:7–9 KJV 1900

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

1 John 4:1 KJV 1900

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

3. To Expose False Gospels

4. To Edify the Church

1 Corinthians 14:4 KJV 1900

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV 1900

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 10:19–25 KJV 1900

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

5. To Glorify God

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12 KJV 1900

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

What Does Church Membership Entail?

Church membership duties can be divided into two subcategories. Duties to other members and duties to the pastor.

The church is to live in a way that shows the world that we belong to a new King and kingdom. A kingdom of holiness, righteousness, justice, love, mercy, and grace. We show this by how we treat one another. Ignoring each other till the next service, forgetting to pray daily for one another is a great way to quench this. (seek peace and unity 1 cor 12:13-27).

The pastors are to be regarded with honor. This afternoon at 2:30 we will discuss the role of the pastor and how the church and pastors are co laborers.

In Action—Initially by Baptism

1. Attend Services Regularly

2. Attend Communion Particularly

3. Attend Members’ Meetings Consistently

4. Pray Regularly

5. Give Regularly

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 KJV 1900

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.