American Reformation Church: The Biblical Case for Church Membership

Introduction:

Body:

1. Church Membership Was Practiced in the New Testament.

Those “reluctant to join” Acts 5:12-15

Acts 5:12–15 NKJV

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

b. The List of Widows 1 Timothy 5:9-12

1 Timothy 5:9–12 NKJV

Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.

c. The Punishment of the Majority 2 Corinthians 2:6

2 Corinthians 2:6 NKJV

This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,

2. Church Membership is Required in Order to Obey the New Testament.

Good and necessary Inference

Church Discipline 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 NKJV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

1 Corinthians 5:9–13 NKJV

I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

c. Accountability to Leaders Hebrews 13:17

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

3. Church Membership is Formalized With a Church Covenant.

Conclusion: