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 2008-09-28 - Jesse Jenkins - Local Church Membership: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6)

Local Church Membership

By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, September 28, 2008

• The Lord adds one to the church in a universal sense when one is baptized, but that does not automatically make one a member of any particular local church.
• What is the local church?
  • It is a special fellowship in which one agrees to worship and work with other Christians in a locality.
  • The local church is under a common oversight.
  • The members give into a common fund to finance the work the Lord authorized the local church to do.
• By what procedure does one become part of a local church?
  • There are three things involved:
    • Must be a Christian
    • Must agree to work and worship with the local church.
    • Local church agrees to accept.
• What is the purpose of local church membership?
  • To do the things Christ authorized a local church to do:
    • Glorify God.  Ephesians 3:21; I Corinthians 10:31
    • Edify the saved.  Acts 20:28,32
    • Teach sinners.  Philippians 4:15-26
    • Benevolence and discipline under some circumstances.  Acts 4:34-36; I Corinthians 5:1-5
    • Each has equal obligation according to ability and assignment.  Matthew 25:15
• Who is really in the local fellowship?
  • Those who have joined.  Acts 9:26
  • Those who have partnership in the work assigned by Christ.  Acts 9:28
  • Not one who ceases to work in the local fellowship and will not repent.  II Thessalonians 3:6
• A local church is to control its fellowship.
  • Discipline one who is living so as to bring reproach upon the Name of Christ.  I Corinthians 5:5
  • Refuse to receive one who is living so as to bring reproach upon Christ.  Acts 9:26
• The Bible knows nothing of “free lance” members.
  • Must join a local fellowship.  Acts 9:26
  • Must work with a local fellowship.  Acts 9:28
  • Each needs fellowship with other Christians for edification of himself and others.  Hebrews 10:24-25
  • Each needs to be under oversight of elders.  Hebrews 13:17
• Are students to still be members back home or are they to be members where they attend?
  • Students should be members where they attend.
  • For nine months of school, students should be members where they attend.
  • For three months out of school, students should be members where they attend.