Why church membership?

Church membership displays the gospel

Ephesians 2:11–16 “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

Church membership appears throughout the New Testament

The NT church kept track of people

Acts 2:41–47 - “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Christian mutual edification assumes we are heading in the same spiritual direction

1 Corinthians 14:12 “So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

Once upon a time, there was a church attender who would slip into church a few minutes late and leave right after the closing prayer. His pastor decided to ask him why this was his habit. He said, “I don’t get anything out the rest of church because everybody else slows me down spiritually.”

The pastor lovingly responded, “Have you ever considered that maybe God wants you to link arms with these people, and that perhaps even though they might slow you down a little, you might help to speed them up? Perhaps that’s part of God’s plan for how we’re supposed to live as Christians together.”

As we are going in the same direction, we can share love and experience unity. We can hold each other accountable. We can pray for each other during times of temptation and struggle. We can study God’s Word together and be prepared for spiritual battle together. We can sing praises together. We can encourage one another. We can bear one another’s burdens

Church discipline points to church membership

Matthew 18:15–18 ““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Church membership advances the gospel

1 Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

By defining people inside the kingdom of God and understanding there are people outside the kingdom of God, advancing the gospel becomes essential.

The love that church members should have for one another is one of the puzzle pieces to advancing the gospel.

Application

Finally, when we agree to church membership, we commit to know each and be known each other. There is a degree of vulnerability in that statement, but joining hands for the cause of Christ makes us vulnerable.

When we agree to church membership, we commit to help and encourage one another.

When we agree to church membership, we commit to challenged when there are inconsistencies between our talk and our walk.

Does your relationship with Christ change your life and change the lives of those around you?

What is your mission at Trinity?