Church Membership

There is not a great deal said in the Bible about church membership.  What is said is mostly by example; examples given that we can follow.  But we can note a few passages that give us some direction for our participation in the church today.

We can notice some things from the very first church, the Jerusalem church, as recorded at the end of Acts 2.  We see in the last few verses that the new Christians were hanging together, spending time together, eating together and sharing.  The final verse says, "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."  This "adding" was being done by the Lord.  The people were becoming Christians, doing what verse 41 says, "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."  The people were responding to the Gospel message, but they weren't adding themselves; they weren't joining the church; they were being added.  The Lord was adding them.  This usage relates to the overall church, what is sometimes called the church universal.  But they were a part of the Jerusalem church, the local church, as well. 

As we go on through the New Testament, we see a great deal of emphasis being placed on the churches.  Virtually every book is either written to the churches or references the church in a specific area.  We realize that the churches are just people, Christians, who are meeting together, worshipping together and carrying on God's work on earth.

Another passage that is noteworthy is in Hebrews 10, beginning in verse 24, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..."  By being a part of the group, we can offer the support to other Christians that is often so badly needed.

I will confess that sometimes I don't do my part in the "spurring one another toward love and good deeds."  and there is a tendency to put too much emphasis on attendance at worship services.  I do believe that the Lord expects that of us; but we all know that is only a small part of serving God, of living the Christian life.

Thanks for reading again.  Have a great week!