The Basics of Biblical Counseling - Biblicalcounselingonline.org

D. Aproblem of our day: many refuse to commit themselves to a church.
1. Why do many refuse to commit to membership?
2. Why isformal membership in a local church necessary? See Why Should I
Join aChurch, by Jim Elliff and Darly Wingerd; and Life in the Father s
House, by Wayne Mack and David Swavely.
a. While the word membership is not used in the Bible in this sense, the
concept is biblical (like the word Trinity ).
b. Every Christian is to be a committed part of a local body.
c. Those converted in the book of Acts were added to particular local
churches. Acts 2:41,47
d. Unlike the early church, we have multiple local churches in one
geographical area; therefore, we need to define to which congregation
one is committed.
e. Every believer is to be under the oversight and discipline of particular
elders who need to know for which sheep they are accountable. He.
13:17 I Pet. 5:2-3 I Th. 5:12-13
f. You are to love a local body of believers and use your gifts to benefit
it. Jo. 13:34
g. If you are not committed and accountable, your opportunity to use
your gifts will be significantly diminished.
h. Membership causes the visible church to better reflect the invisible
and clarifies the difference between believers and unbelievers.
i. If a person can be put out of the church through discipline, there
must be a means by which he came to be in the local church. Mt.
18:15f I Cor. 5
j. Recognition of membership helps local churches to work together.
k. Those who desire the benefits of church membership without taking
on the responsibilities want to live together without making the
commitment of marriage.
3. How should we view those who refuse to join the church?
4. Can a non-member be disciplined? I Cor. 5:11
5. What are the responsibilities of church members?
a. Regular attendance. Heb. 10:24-25
b. Involvement in ministry through service, love and giving. I Co. 12:7 I
Pe. 4:10f
c. Submission to the leaders of the church. Heb. 13:17 I Th. 5:12
d. Is church membership lifelong?
6. What are the privileges of church membership?
a. Communion.
b. Service.
c. Receiving ministry from the church. Gal. 6:10
d. Pastoral oversight. I Th. 5:12 Heb 13:17
7. What are the conditions of church membership?
a. Profession of faith.
b. Willingness to love and serve the brethren.
c. Willingness to submit to the leadership of the church.
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