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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS IN THE BIBLE
ACTS 2:42-48
Andres C. Guevara Jr.
June 18, 2023, SUN p.m.
Some popular reasons why a person doesn’t go to church:
Many of us have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church. You may even catch yourself asking, If I believe in Jesus, why do I need to join a church? To put it simply, when you are saved from your sin, you are saved into a community characterized by fellowship and accountability.
There are some biblical reasons why church membership is essential for displaying the gospel in your life.
There are Biblical reasons to join a local church: I – PATTERN OF THE FIRST CHRISTIANS The first reason to join a local church is because of the pattern of the first Christians.
The Christians in the early church who were saved and baptized publicly committed and attached themselves to a local church.
Acts 2:41-47 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Acts 2:41,47 “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” NASB
Acts 2:41, 47 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” ESV
If you gladly received the gospel of salvation, saved as a believer (baptized by the Spirit into one body, the universal church), the next important thing you need to follow in your Christian life is to follow water baptism in order to be added to the Lord’s church (local church). Notice in verse 47 it is the Lord that added the believer to the church. KJV; Also, notice the word "adding to their number" NASB and "added to their number" ESV which signifies that they were added to the number of members of the local church in Jerusalem.
After salvation and baptism is the commitment to the local church (Acts 2:41-47 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly (loyal or committed) in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 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, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”).
The words in verse 41 “were added” in Greek “prosetethesan” was a verb, Aorist indicative passive – third person plural and in verse 47 “added” in Greek “prosetithei” was a verb – Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular both of the words meaning to place (put) to, add, I do again. From “pros” and “tithemi” means to place additionally.
If you are saved and baptized, then you must be added to a local church. You are not just added to the church without purpose. You must be committed member of a local church.
The NASB translate verse 14 “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,”
The NIV translate verse 14 “Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”
Notice the words in KJV “added to the Lord” now, who is that person with a right mind refuse to be added to the Lord?
Notice the word in NASB “constantly added” in Greek “prosetithento” means to place additionally like repeat.
Acts 9: 26 “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.” ESV
The KJV and ESV version used the words “to join” in Greek “kollasthai” from “kolla” (to glue, unite or to stick – strong concordance) or “kollao” primarily “to glue, or to cement together,” then, generally, “to unite, to join firmly,” is used in the passive voice signifying “to join oneself to, to be joined to” (Vine’s Expository dictionary).
II– PASTOR'S CARE FOR THE FLOCK
The second reason to join a local church is because of Christ's under-shepherds.
Christ is the good shepherd (John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd:”), great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20 “our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood“), and the chief shepherd (I Peter 5:4 “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory”) who appoints elders and pastors to be His under-shepherds and overseers in each local flock.
Christ is the Chief Shepherd; as such a One, He shepherds His flock – the saints in all the churches – through the elders of the churches (I Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”).
But this truth, requires each elder/pastor to know exactly who is in their flock, for whom God will hold them responsible as under-shepherds.
I Peter 5:2-3“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
The pastor/elders’ shepherding of the saints should be Christ’s shepherding through them who are under-shepherds. For this, they need to know the Lord’s all-inclusive tender care in a fine, detailed, and personal way, realizing that they themselves are “sick sheep”, broken-hearted, in need of shepherding from the Lord. These sheep’s need to let the Lord gain them, mend them (maisaayos), and heal them, so that through these cared flocks many other broken hearts will be healed.
Notice the command given to the elders (I Peter 5:2 “feed the flock of God” ) and (Acts 20:28“feed the church of God”). The Greek verb (poimaivnw) is used. The meaning of this Greek verb here is broader than the English translated “feed.” This verb “poimaivnw” is form of the noun “shepherd.” The responsibility of shepherding the flock in a broader sense include all things a shepherd does to care for his flock: feeding, protecting, leading, and oversight of the flock. All the physical needs of the flock must be cared by the shepherd. The Pastor or elder in the local church has a spiritual ministry and he is to attend to all the needs of the flock.
How can you have a healthy spiritual life as a flock of God if you are not committed member to receive the feeding of the flock as God intended responsibility for those who take the oversight of the flock of God, the church.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
It is unprofitable for any sheep not to obey and submit themselves to the overseers or pastors who rule over them, watch for their souls and will be accountable for God for them as members of the local church.
Furthermore, the Lord needs to touch the deepest part of their being that is their disposition; in shepherding others, our disposition always hurts them and offends them. Whenever the disposition comes out, the self is expressed, and even though we may say the right thing, the others are hurt by what we are.
As under-shepherd, we need to let the cross deal with us, break our disposition, not be quick to speak, and allow the Lord to flow through us to our fellow sheep. We as under-shepherds or overseers, all need to learn to shepherd others not in the old way of the flesh but by the resurrected Christ as the Chief shepherd.
Becoming a committed member of the local church shows that you are submitting to the way that your God-given leaders believe this flock can best be ordered, protected, and built up.
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
How can you know them and esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake if you are not member of the local church and committed in the flock where the overseer is laboring and admonishing as God’s under-shepherd?
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
How can you be heed and be feed by the overseers if you are not a faithful and committed member of the church of God? Notice, the Holy Spirit had made the overseer/Pastor to feed church of God. Are you a member of the church where the Holy Spirit wants the overseer to feed.
The primary function of the elders is to shepherd the church of God, over which the Holy Spirit has placed them as overseers. Therefore, the elders are required to become the same as God in their being in order to shepherd the flock according to God. But are a member of that church of God?
The under-shepherds have to go through many things in their experience of the Lord, touch Him deeply, so that they can shepherd the flock of God as the reproduction of the Chief shepherd. Without the elders’ shepherding, the church cannot be built up.
Membership is allowing your shepherds/Pastor to care for you in the way they believe most honors God and best cultivates unity, purity and order in Christ’s church.
III – PRIVILEGE FOR COVERED MEMBERS OF THE FLOCK The third reason to join a local church is because of the fellow believers who are members of the church.
Church membership allows all of the members in a certain church to know who wants to be held accountable to the protection and nurture and loving discipline and restoration of that flock. If you are not covered by the membership, you are not under the responsibility, custody or safe keeping of the local church.
Christ’s authority in the local church:
Matthew 16:18- 19 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Christ’s authority in the local Church discipline:
Matthew 18:15-20 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Church discipline benefits the welfare of the local church:
I Corinthians 5:1-6, 12-13 “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
How about if someone who was not a member involved in sinful practices? It will result to leaven the whole church.
Who cares for those believers who are not members had gone astray, for those who compromised with the world, for those who practiced sinful living? They will affect the testimony of the local church even though they are only attendees but not members. Did you see the dangers of those abusive believers who do not want to be a member of any local church? just because they want to freely drive their own lives and destroy the testimony of Christ and His church?
Paul charged Timothy who become Pastor of Ephesians to use the inspired Word of God for reproof, rebuke, correction and righteousness (II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” It is a good thing, a blessing, and great privilege to have a loving and caring home church who can give you reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
What if a church member or a believer sinned a sin unto death (I John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”), that is willful, continuous, unrepentant sin.
First, God will convict His Children through the Spirit (David in Psalm 51)
Second, God is holy (I Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”) and will chastens everyone he accepts as his son (Hebrews 12:6-8 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”)
Third, God can no longer allow a believer to continue in unrepentant sin and may decide to take the life of the stubbornly sinful believer (Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”; Taking the Lord’s supper unworthily - I Corinthians 11:28-32 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”; Young man who was a fornicator - I Corinthians 5:1-7 “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”).
God is good and just, and He will eventually make us “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25b-27 “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”). IV – PORTRAYAL OF CHURCH FAMILY AND CORPORATE FAITH The fourth reason to join a local church is because of the New Testament metaphors that pictures or represent the nature of the church and the corporate nature of our faith.
In the New Testament, there are 110 references to ekklesia and 90 refer to the local church. There are only 17 clear references to the universal church.
Most of the references regarding the church in the Bible can be found in the Apostle Paul epistles.
Corinth church - I Corinthians 1:2
Galatian church - Galatians 1:2
Jerusalem church – Acts 5:11
Antioch church – Acts 13:1
Christ builds it – Matthew 16:18; Acts 2
Paul teaches it – Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4; Hebrews 12:23
Images for the church (most used to the concept of Universal church):
Let us talk about the fourth image, the household of faith or children of God.
The New Testament calls the church a body, temple, flock and household or family. Notice that none of these four metaphors allows for merely a loose, informal, undefined or assumed relationship. Rather, there is something definite, visible and public to this attachment. Likewise, this is visibly applied to the local church membership, it shows the importance of being attached, togetherness, having in common with fellow church members of certain local assembly.
ILLUSTRATION: In a household, not only the parents know who is in the family but even each kids knows they are in the family and they know also who are their brothers and sisters. The point is household of faith sends an important awareness not only to all church leaders but also to the rest of the church family as well. This supports the strong visible ties and importance of church membersship in the local church.
Local Church membership in connection to a Household of faith (metaphor image of Universal church):
1. Bible teaching that we are in a family/household
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”
Because of this metaphor that body of Christ which is church is a picture of a family, so being a member in the local church likewise is important.
2. Bible teaching that we are called “sons and daughters
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Galatians 4:4-6 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
I John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
Because of this metaphor representing the body of Christ, which is the universal invisible church as brothers and sisters in a family, local visible church membership is essential.
3. Bible emphasis about the household of faith:
a. Emphasizes the nature of the family
1. Family of God characterized by Love
We conclude that as a member in the family of God which is the body of Christ, we need to understand and focus on the nature of the family which is characterized by love (I John 2:9-10 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”) There must be an evident manifestation of attitude of love to each members of the local church.
2. Family of God characterize by righteous Behavior
Not only the members in a certain local church has an evidence of loving each other but also there must be righteous behavior in dealing with other. (I John 3:3-10 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”).
b. Emphasizes the basis of the Unity
We conclude that as a church member in the family of God, we need to focus on the basis of the unity which is our faith in Christ. We often find unity based on other more visible things, but our unity is based on our faith or one belief which is the doctrinal truth of God (Ephesians 4:11-13 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”; Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”). We see that God’s wants each member must be edified for the purpose of unity of the faith. We need to grow to be committed, unity in the faith. Each local church members therefore must believe on one truth.
c. Emphasizes our hope for the future
We conclude that as a member in the family of God, in the body of Christ, which is the universal church, we need to focus on our hope for the future.
1. Believers Joint Heirs with Christ
We are not just honored guest; we are heirs joint heirs (Galatians 4:1 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;”; Romans 8:14-17 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”). If we understand the metaphor of being a blessed joint heir with Christ, you will see the importance of being in God’s family, visibly applied and manifested as being committed member of a local church.
2. Believers Glorified Bodies like Christ
We are looking forward for the coming day when the present time is almost forgotten (Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”; Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”). In the future we will have the glorified bodies like Christ (I John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”). The believers in Christ, the universal church, the body of Christ, will be raptured in His coming, and our earthly body will all be changed into incorruptible body, called glorification. What a blessing! Do you see the metaphor of being in a family of God? The Body of Christ, the universal church is visibly manifested through the local church. It is a great thing to be a member of a local church. Be a member of a local church, be a committed and servant of Christ. Indeed, church membership is in the Bible.
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