Topical Bible: Church: Membership In

◄ Church: Membership In ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Importance

Membership in the church is a significant aspect of Christian life, reflecting a believer's commitment to the body of Christ. The church, as described in the New Testament, is not merely a building or an organization but a living organism composed of believers who are united in faith and purpose. Membership signifies a formal association with a local congregation and, by extension, the universal church.

Biblical Basis

The concept of church membership is rooted in the New Testament, where the early church is depicted as a community of believers who are devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). The apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of its members. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul writes, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it."

Responsibilities and Privileges

Membership in the church carries both responsibilities and privileges. Members are called to live in accordance with the teachings of Christ, to support one another in love, and to contribute to the work of the church through their time, talents, and resources. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" and not to "neglect meeting together."

The privileges of church membership include participation in the sacraments, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, which are outward signs of inward grace and a means of spiritual nourishment. Members also benefit from the pastoral care and guidance of church leaders, as well as the fellowship and support of the church community.

Church Discipline

An important aspect of church membership is the practice of church discipline, which is intended to maintain the purity and integrity of the church. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a process for addressing sin within the church, emphasizing the goal of restoration and reconciliation. Church discipline serves as a means of accountability and spiritual growth for members.

Unity and Diversity

The New Testament emphasizes both the unity and diversity of the church. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." At the same time, the church is composed of individuals with diverse gifts and backgrounds, each contributing uniquely to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a detailed blueprint for church membership, it clearly presents the church as a vital community of believers who are committed to Christ and to one another. Membership in the church is a reflection of a believer's identity in Christ and a commitment to live out the Christian faith in community.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 44:5
One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand to the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 44:6,7,9
And you shall say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus said the Lord GOD; O you house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 12:50
For whoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them to him, and said, Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

John 15:5,6
I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 2:41,47
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 4:4
However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 9:35,42
And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 12:4,5
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 12:12-28
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 4:25
Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Nave's Topical Index

Philippians 4:3
And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 21:27
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Some Preliminary Definitions
... While the total population of the United States increased during the decade
1910-20, 14.9 per cent, the church membership from 1906-1916 increased 19.6 per ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter i some preliminary definitions.htm

A Period of Transition
... But as a result of the interworking of this teaching and of the practice of the
Half-Way Covenant, church membership came in time to include almost any one not ...
/.../the development of religious liberty in connecticut/chapter v a period of.htm

Christian Connection.
... through regeneration. That none are proper subjects of church membership,
or the ordinances except the regenerated. That God calls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/christian connection.htm

Methodists, or the Methodist Protestant Church.
... "3. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the gospel of
God our Savior, ought to be deprived of church membership. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/methodists or the methodist protestant.htm

Church and State in New England
... which made him urge upon the colonists a more representative government[c] than
would be obtainable from a franchise based upon church-membership where, as in ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

The Church and Other Rural Agencies
... It was the Christian ministry and the church membership that made possible the Red
Cross drives during the war, and the other financial campaigns for relief ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter ix the church and.htm

Many are the Marks, which the Learned have Given us of the True ...
... us of the true church; but be that as it will, no man, whether learned or unlearned,
can have any mark or proof of his own true church- membership, but his ...
/.../address 222 0 0 many are the.htm

Building for Community Service
... Sunday school and church membership is encouraged in the denominations from which
the young people come, and thus a contribution by one denomination has ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter v building for community.htm

"The Great Awakening. "
... laxity that, in many cases, ministers were willing to receive accounts of conversions
which had been written to order for the applicants for church membership. ...
/.../chapter ix the great awakening.htm

The Struggle in America, 1762-1857.
... as in Great Britain, did the Brethren clip their own wings; thus again did they
sternly refuse admission to hundreds of applicants for Church membership. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the struggle in.htm