Church membership what is it

Paul tells Timothy that the local church in Ephesus is like a family with members 1 Tim. A body part detached from the rest of its body is not beautiful or cool. And think of what happens to a church body when you refuse to attach your part, or you violently detach from it. But can you really love all Christians in the world equally well? And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Is Jesus telling the disciples that anytime any professing Christian remains unrepentant, that every Christian in the world should be told about it?

But as soon as we say that, we are assuming that there was a clear way of discerning who was part of the local church. Who did they tell? Every Christian in the same city? Every Christian who had ever attended that local church more than once? Paul assumes as much in 1 Corinthians Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Evidently, they had exercised church discipline toward this man. The majority of that number had decided to subtract this man from that number, to warn him that he should not count himself redeemed if he remained unrepentant. Which leaders are those? All Christian leaders everywhere?

Or even just the leaders in your city? And Ephesians 5, in the context of addressing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, says we do this as we submit to one another. Which Christians are we to both build up and submit to with our words? All the Christians in a city? No, the Christians who have committed to regularly gathering together in one place—a local church.

When we baptize, we baptize someone into the name of Father, Son and Spirit. And in so doing, we make their profession and discipleship public. What is the authority of the local church? Baptism is the front door. Both of these are the signs of church membership.

Let me offer two final thoughts. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. Philippians May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

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.

Hebrews Each of these pictures suggests people who are closely bound together and recognisably committed to each other. Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Acts Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

He lives with his wife and four daughters in Cheverly, Maryland, where he is an elder at Cheverly Baptist Church. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. Give Today. Read Now » Ask a Question ». Resources Donate. What Is Church Membership?