Starting Out - Church Membership (Study 5)

Church Membership

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All true Christians love their brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 3:14). They should demonstrate this love by becoming members of their church. New members join the church by being received into membership special occasion, either immediately after baptism, or at the next Lord’s Supper. By becoming members of a church Christians are simply recognising the commitment they owe each other. God does not want Christians to wander from church to church, or to be on the edge of church life. He wants them to participate fully and loyally in the activities of their church. This is what we find Christians were doing in the early church, and what Church Membership is all about.

1. CHRISTIANS BELONG TO EACH OTHER

In the New Testament, believers in Jesus Christ are compared to a flock of sheep, a family or a body. This is the Holy Spirit’s way of showing that Christians belong to each other, and are part of something greater than themselves.

When you become a Christian you are adopted into God’s family. God does not 4 want you to live in spiritual isolation. After baptism God wants you to

join a church, as the local expression of His family:

Compare
Acts 2:41 (NKJV)
Then those who gladly received his word were baptised;
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

With
Acts 9:26 (NKJV)
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples;
but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

The Church is called the Body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV)
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Just as a body consists of many parts, so does the Church. As the parts of a body belong together and work together, so Christians should be joined to one another, and should co-operate in God’s work. And as different parts of a body perform different functions, so Christians are gifted by God to serve Him and His people in various ways.

Being a member of any family brings privileges and responsibilities. Let us consider the privileges and responsibilities of a Church Member.

2. OUR PRIVILEGES AS CHRISTIANS

a) Support of the Church: God has given us one another for mutual support. This may take a variety of forms, but other members will be encouraged to pray for you and to help you in practical ways as the need may arise. The following verses illustrate this point.

Romans 15:26 (NKJV)
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution
for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV)
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) Sharing in the Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper is the church’s family meal, when we remember our Saviour’s death, and meet with Him in His risen life. This symbolic meal holds a special richness and blessing for Church Members. After the early Christians had joined the Church they "broke bread" together in memory of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. The Lord’s Supper was described as "the breaking of bread":

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

c) Sharing in Decision Making: In the Christian Church, major decisions rest with the whole Church family when they meet to discuss the work of the Church. However, it is important to realise that our task at such meetings is to seek God’s will and do it. We are not there simply to decide what we would like to do! An example of decision making is:

Acts 6:3 (NKJV)
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation,
full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

What do you think is meant by this passage?

3. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CHRISTIANS

a) Supporting the Fellowship:

By our attendance when the Church meets — especially Sunday Worship, the Lord’s Supper, mid-week Prayer and Bible Study, and Church Business Meetings:

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

By our prayers — for your pastor, elders and deacons, fellow-members, those with special needs, and the sick. Praying together was typical of the Early Church:

Acts 1:14 (NIV)
They all joined together constantly in prayer,
along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

By our giving, which is the response of a spiritually enriched heart:

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) Serving the Fellowship:

By encouraging (exhorting) others. Be a Barnabas:

Acts 11:23 (NIV)
When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God,
he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

By using our God-given gifts to help each other:

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

By living a life of love towards one another, as Jesus commanded:

John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

By sharing in the Church’s witness to others especially by the way we live:

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

CONCLUSION

So you see, being a Church Member is a great privilege, but it also demands real sacrifices.

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