Many principles
teach the importance of the church in general. People
often fail to appreciate the importance of the church. But consider:
The
church was purposed by God from eternity - Ephesians 3:10,11.
The
church was built by Jesus - Matthew 16:18.
The
church was purchased by Jesus' blood - Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25.
The
church is the household/family over which God is the Father - Ephesians
2:16,19; 1 Timothy 3:15.
The
church is the body over which Christ is head - Ephesians 1:22,23. [Colossians
1:18,24]
The
church is the kingdom over which Christ rules - Matthew 16:18,19; Colossians
1:13.
All
saved people are added by Jesus to the church - Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13,14.
It follows that church membership is essential to salvation.
But
note that the church is important because of its relationship to God. The
church was purposed by God, built by Jesus, and purchased by the blood of
Jesus. It is the family of God, the body and kingdom of Christ. Christ adds
people to it.
We do
not claim that the church is important because of our choice or who the members
are. The church is important because God determined to make it important and
because of the ties the church has to God. It follows that failure to
appreciate the church is not simply a rejection of the people in the church; it
is a rejection of God and His will.
The
purpose of this study is to emphasize the need for every Christian to form a
bond with a specific local church and become actively involved in its work.
*****************************************************
Christians sometimes fail to see the need to be active in a
specific local church.
Many
passages refer to local churches (congregations) in particular localities (Acts
8:1; 13:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians
1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Colossians 4:16; etc.).
The
question to consider is: How important is membership in a local church? May we
please God just by being part of the church in general without recognizing any
responsibility to a particular local church?
Consider some comparisons.
In
order to really be a business administrator, is it enough just to be part of
the "business community" in general? Or do we need to form a tie and
be active in a particular company?
In
order to be a major league baseball player, is it enough just to be part of
"baseball" in general? Doesn't a player need a contractual tie to
actively participate with a particular team?
In
order to be a college student, is it enough to profess to be part of the
"educational community," or do we need to enroll in a particular
college or university?
In
order to be a soldier, is it enough to profess to be part of "the military
establishment," or does a person need to join a particular military branch
of a specific country?
In many
activities, we cannot succeed as "floating members" who refuse to be
part of any team or company or school or program. To receive the recognition
and rewards of the activity, we must make a commitment to a particular group.
Under certain circumstances, one may change from one company or team or college
to another, but doesn't there have to be affiliation in order to really be a
college student, actor, etc.?
The application to Christians
Likewise,
the Bible teaches that service to God requires "team" activity as
well as individual activity. We do have individual responsibilities, yet each
Christian must also identify himself as part of a faithful local church and
then actively involve himself in the work of that church.
This is
sometimes called "placing membership," but we do not intend here to
emphasize any specific terminology. Nor do we insist on any particular formal
method for doing this (such as walking to the front during the invitation
song).
Rather,
our intent is simply to show that God does intend for Christians to express
intent to be part of a specific local church and then work actively with that
group. No Christian can really succeed a "floating member" who
perpetually visits local churches but refuses to identify himself with any
particular local church.
Consider the following evidence that this concept is taught in the
scriptures.
I. Each
Christian Should Be Part of a Faithful Local Church.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Each
local church in the New Testament consisted of individual disciples who were
identified or recognized as part of that congregation. Note the following:
A.
Disciples in an Area Were Addressed Interchangeably with the Local Church.
=====================================================
When
speaking about a baseball team, one might interchangeably use terms that refer
to the group or that refer to the players. One might say the White Sox won a game
because "the team played well," or one might say, "the players
played well." These expressions can be used interchangeably because the
players are all members of the team.
Likewise,
when inspired writers addressed Christians in an area, they sometimes addressed
them as the church, but other times they addressed them as the members of the
church. These terms are used interchangeably because all disciples were members
of a local church.
Consider
some examples:
1 Corinthians 1:2,10
********************
When
Paul wrote to "the church of God which is at Corinth," he was
addressing "those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints" (v2). In v10 he addressed them as "brethren."
So, to address the local church was to address the saints or
brethren in that locality.
1
Thessalonians 1:1,4 (2 Thessalonians 1:1,3)
*********************************************
Paul
wrote to "the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:1). But in v4 he addressed them as
"beloved brethren," elect of God. He does the same thing in 2
Thessalonians 1:1,3.
So to
address the local church is to address the saints in the area and vice-versa,
because it is understood that all faithful disciples should be identified or
recognized as part of the local church. There was no such thing as faithful
Christians who were members of the local church and other faithful Christians
in that area who were not members of the local church.
Philippians 1:1; 4:15
*********************
Paul
addressed "all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi with the
bishops and deacons"(1:1). But in 4:15 he said, "no church shared
with me ... but you only." Obviously, he is here referring to them as a
church.
This is
the reverse of the above cases. He first addresses them as saints, but later
addresses them as a church. So the saints in Philippi constituted the church in
Philippi, again because it is understood that every faithful Christian should
be a member of a local church.
Further,
note that this is true of "all the saints ... who are in Philippi"
(1:1). So "all" saints in a locality should be part of a local
church.
Colossians 4:15,16
******************
Paul
greeted the "brethren" at Laodicea, then said the letter should be
read to "the church of the Laodiceans." Surely these are
interchangeable expressions for the same group. The "brethren" at
Laodicea constituted the "church" at Laodicea, because all
"brethren" should be members of a local church.
[This
does not deny that letters sometimes discuss work that the church should do as
a church and sometimes discuss work the members should do as individuals, apart
from the work of the local church. The point is that by addressing the local
church, Paul was addressing all the Christians and vice-versa, because it is
understood that Christians should be part of a local church.]
B.
Specific Disciples Were Members of Local Churches.
=====================================================
Acts 13:1
*********
Paul,
Barnabas, and other teachers were "in the church that was at
Antioch." They were not here identified as part of a church elsewhere
(Jerusalem, Samaria, etc.). So, individual disciples should be recognized or
considered to be part of a specific local church.
3 John 10
*********
Diotrophes
sinned in that he not only refused to receive those who ought to have been
received, but also put others "out of the church." If he put them out
of the church, then it necessarily follows that previously they were recognized
as being in the church.
Revelation
1:4,11; 2:10,23; etc.
********************************
Revelation
is addressed to "the seven churches ... in Asia" (1:4,11). In chap. 2
& 3 Jesus addressed each of the churches individually, showing that the
local churches were distinct from one another. But note how, in addressing each
church, He was also addressing the members:
2:8ff
addresses the church at Smyrna, but v10 said the devil would throw some
"of you" into prison, etc.
2:18ff
was written to the church at Thyatira. But in v23 the Lord said, "I will
give to each one of you according to your works."
3:1ff
addresses the church at Sardis, but v4 says, "You have a few names even in
Sardis who ... shall walk with me in white..."
When He
addressed the "some of you" in Smyrna, was He speaking then of
Christians in Thyatira? When he addressed those in Thyatira, was He speaking
then of Christians in Sardis?
Certain
individuals were considered to make up each local church, and other Christians
were considered to make up other local churches. The "some of you" at
Smyrna described different disciples from the "each one of you" at
Thyatira. But each Christian was identified or recognized as being part of some
specific local church.
Compare
this to the connection between elders and local churches.
*****************************************************
Each elder is identified as working with a particular local
church.
Acts
14:23 - They appointed elders "in every church." So, the elders of
each church were "in" that church.
Acts
20:17 - Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders "of the
church." The elders were part of the church and their work pertained to
that local church (cf. v28).
Each
elder is identified as belonging to a particular local church and having a
responsibility to the work of that specific church. This is expressed by saying
they are "in" or "of" that church.
[Acts
16:4; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-3]
Likewise, each member should be identified with a particular local
church.
Acts
13:1 - The teachers listed here were "in the church" at Antioch, just
as elders were "in" the church which they served. To be
"in" a local church implies being identified as part of it and being
actively involved in its work.
Philippians
1:1 - Note that Paul addressed the bishops, deacons, and all the saints in
Philippi. But the bishops and deacons are identified as working with a
particular local church, so listing the saints along with them would indicate
that "all the saints" should likewise be identified as working with a
particular local church.
Philippians
3:17; 4:9 - We should imitate the examples of these brethren and churches. They
are a pattern for us. If each individual Christian was expected to be
identified as part of a local church in the first century, why would it not be
the same today?
Where
is the Bible authority for a Christian to refuse on an ongoing basis to be
identified as part of a local church? How can any Christian properly live
indefinitely in an area where there is a church while making no serious attempt
to be recognized as part of that church?
Just as
a person must be part of a team to be a major league baseball player or must
enroll in a particular school in order to be a college student, so faithful
Christians must identify themselves as part of a local church.
C. When
Disciples Moved to a New Locality, They Took Steps to Be Recognized as Part of
a Local Church There.
=====================================================
Consider the following examples.
The case of Saul
****************
The facts
Acts
9:17-20 - Saul was converted after seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus. He
spent some time with the "disciples at Damascus" (the local church).
He preached Jesus, but fled when Jews threatened his life (9:23-25).
Acts
9:26-29 - When Saul then came to Jerusalem, he sought to "join himself to
the disciples" there. This does not mean that he sought to become a
Christian - he had already done that. Rather, he wanted to become part of the
local church in Jerusalem.
The
disciples were afraid of him because, due to his past history, they feared that
he was not really a disciple. Barnabas explained about Saul's conversion in
Damascus. After that he was "with them" coming in and going out,
working among them preaching and teaching God's word. When a threat was again
made against his life, he left town.
Acts
11:25,26; 13:1-3 - After Barnabas was sent to Antioch, he found Saul and
together they worked with the church in Antioch teaching many people. Along
with other teachers, they were said to be "in the church that was at
Antioch."
Observations and conclusions
(1)
First Saul was part of the church in Damascus. When he moved to Jerusalem, he
sought to join the disciples there. Later he moved to Antioch and was "in
the church" there. Wherever he moved, he became identified as part of the
local church in that area.
(2)
Saul took the initiative to be recognized as part of the local congregation. He
did not "float" or perpetually visit from congregation to
congregation. He "tried to join the disciples."
(3)
"Join" means: "to glue or cement together ... to unite, to join
firmly" (Vine; cf. Thayer). It implies a firm bond. When involving people,
it generally implies purpose, intent, and commitment. [For examples, see Luke
15:15; Rom. 12:9; Acts 5:13; 17:34; 1 Cor. 6:17. See sermon on Local Church
Commitment for more details.]
(4)
Saul determined to attend and actively work with the church. Having been
received, he was "with them coming in and going out" (attendance),
and was involved in the teaching.
(5) At
first the church did not receive him, because they had reason to doubt his
conversion. So, the church had the right to investigate whether or not he was a
faithful disciple and to refuse him if he was not. Barnabas testified on Saul's
behalf, but he never denied the church's right to question Saul's conversion.
The
church is not obligated to just automatically accept anybody who requests
membership. But when the evidence indicates a person is a faithful disciple,
and there is no proof of sin, then the church must receive the individual.
Other examples
**************
Barnabas
Acts
4:32,34-37 - The "multitude of those who believed" (the local church)
shared with members in need. Barnabas was part of the work of the church in
Jerusalem, selling a parcel of land and giving the money.
Acts
9:27 - When Saul wanted to be part of the disciples, Barnabas was still
involved in the work of the church in Jerusalem.
Acts
11:22-26 - The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to the new church in Antioch.
There he encouraged them and assembled with the church teaching many people.
Acts 13:1-3 - He and other teachers were "in the church that
was in Antioch."
So, while
he was living in Jerusalem, Barnabas was actively committed and involved in the
work of that local church. When he was sent to Antioch, he became part of that
local church, actively involved in its work.
Apollos
Acts
18:27,28 - Apollos learned the truth in Ephesus. When he determined to go to
Achaia, the church in Ephesus sent a letter exhorting the brethren there to
receive him. He then worked diligently among them, helping those who believed
and publicly teaching Jesus.
Note
again that, when a Christian moved from one area to a new area, he found the
church there and sought to be "received" by them. Then he was
actively involved in the work.
Note
also that churches have a right to communicate with one another about whether
or not a person is worthy to be "received." This implies that the
church would have the right to refuse to accept someone who was not faithful.
What good was the letter, if a church is obligated to accept everyone who
requests to be accepted?
2 Corinthians 3:1
Paul said
he did not need letters of commendation to or from the church in Corinth,
because he was already known there. Nevertheless, he stated that some people do
need letters of commendation. He did not, but "some others" do need
them. When people move to a new area and are unknown to the church, then the
church has every right to communicate to know if a member is
"commendable."
What
purpose would such a letter serve unless it is understood that members should
become part of the church where they move? If they do not intend to become part
of the church, they would not need a letter anyway.
[Romans
16:1,2]
Conclusions
***********
So the
New Testament pattern is that Christians should be identified or become part of
a faithful local congregation in the area where they live. When they move to a
new area, they should seek out a faithful congregation in that area and become
recognized as part of it.
There
may be some variation in the method by which a Christian makes known this
intent. Apollos had a letter sent from the church he previously worked with.
Saul received a personal commendation. So, the particular method is not
binding. Nevertheless, each individual should make known in some manner that he
does want to be considered part of the local church.
Remember,
we are taught to imitate such examples (Phil. 3:17; 4:9). What Bible passage
would authorize a person to move to an area and then make no effort to become
part of a local church? Where is the Bible authority for a Christian to move to
an area where there is a faithful church, yet they continue to claim membership
of the church "back home," even though they are too far from the
church back home to attend and be part of its work?
Under
certain conditions, a ball player may move from one team to another or a
student may transfer from one college to another. But a player must affiliate
with a team and a student must enroll in a college. Likewise, a faithful
Christian may move from one local church to another but he must commit himself
to be part of a faithful local church.
Since
God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34,35), if one person may refuse to be part of
a local church, then all may refuse. But if all refuse to be part of a local
church, how would any church function?
Note
carefully that one must identify with a faithful local church - not just any
church. Just as the church must be careful to accept only faithful Christians,
so a Christian must take care to become part of a faithful church.
And
remember, all of this is important because it is God's will and because of the
church's connection to God. To sever our connection with the church is to sever
our connection with God!
II.
Disciples Should Attend the Meetings of the Local Church.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A ball
player affiliates with a team, not just so he can be on the roster, but so he
can be an active player. A student should enroll in a college so he can study
and learn. Likewise, Christians should identify themselves with a local church
for a purpose. It is not just to have their names on a church roll, but to be
involved in the work of that church. This includes attending the assemblies of
that local church.
Acts 9:28
*********
When
Saul had joined himself to the church in Jerusalem, "he was with them at
Jerusalem, coming in and going out." When the church met, he attended and
participated.
Acts 11:22-26
*************
Barnabas
and Saul were "in the church that was at Antioch" (13:1). They
assembled with the church and taught people (11:26). Note: They "assembled
with the church" they were "in."
1 Corinthians 11:18
*******************
The
"brethren" in the local church at Corinth (1:2,10; 11:33) assembled
"as a church" (11:18). This included meeting for the Lord's Supper (vv
20-26,33).
1 Corinthians 14:23,26
**********************
The
"brethren" (who constituted the church - 1:2,10) would "come
together" to sing, pray, and edify one another (vv 26,15). At times
"the whole church comes together in one place" (v23).
These
brethren constituted a local church even when they were not assembled. But when
they did assemble, they assembled with the church of which they were a part.
Acts 20:7
*********
In
Troas (v6) "the disciples came together to break bread." "Disciples"
here refers to the local church, as in other examples above and as in 1 Cor.
11.
It is
true that sometimes Christians may visit meetings of local congregations other
than the one where they are identified as members. Paul often did so on his journeys
as he passed through (Acts 20:7-11). But when Paul intended to remain in an
area, he made known to the local church that he wanted to join himself to that
group and then he attended there.
Where
is the Bible authority for a Christian, who is part of one local church, to
habitually attend the assemblies of a different local church in that area,
neglecting to attend the church where they are members and yet refusing to
become recognized as part of the church where they are attending? Does this fit
the Bible pattern?
Since
God is not partial, if some members may refuse to accept the responsibility to
identify with a particular local church and then attend there, then everyone
could do the same. If so, how could the church function? How could the church
know who to expect to be present or who would be responsible to conduct and
lead the meetings? No one could ever know.
So have
we accepted the responsibility to be recognized as part of a local church and
do we regularly attend the meetings of that church?
III.
Disciples Should Actively Participate in Local Church Work.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When
major league ball players commit themselves to a local team, they must attend
team meetings. But much more than that is required of ball players. When
students enroll in a college, they are expected to attend classes; but much
more than that is required. Likewise, local churches function in other ways in
addition to assembling as a congregation. There is other work to do, and
members should accept their responsibility to participate in that work.
Acts 9:26-29
************
After
Saul had been received as part of the church in Jerusalem, he not only attended
"with them coming in and going out," he also actively participated in
the work of teaching.
Acts 13:1-3; 11:22-26
*********************
Likewise
Paul and Barnabas were teachers "in the church that was at Antioch."
They not only attended with the church, they also taught many people and
encouraged the disciples (11:23,26). Again note that the work they participated
in was the work of the church there were "in."
Acts 18:27,28
*************
Likewise
Apollos, after he had been "received" by the brethren in Achaia,
greatly helped them by his teaching.
1 Corinthians 16:1,2
********************
Local
churches obtain their funds by taking collections (v1). So Paul instructed the
"brethren" that "each one of you" should lay by in store as
you have prospered. Each member should accept the responsibility to give
financially to accomplish the work of the church.
And
note that members should give to support the church they are part of:
"each one of you" refers to the brethren in the church at Corinth.
The obligation is not to support churches elsewhere, but to support the church
they are members of. [Phil. 4:13-18]
If one
member may refuse to give as prospered, all may do so. But if all do so, how
would the church accomplish its work?
Ephesians 4:10-16
*****************
The
work Paul describes includes the work of "pastors" (v11). But the
work of pastors is to lead a local church in its work. So Eph. 4 describes (or
at least includes) the work of local churches.
The
work done includes perfecting the saints, ministering, building up the body
(v12), and helping members to grow up in Christ and avoid error (vv 13,14). We
do this by speaking the truth in love (v15). But "every part" of the
body should be involved in this work (v16).
Our
work as Christians includes various individual responsibilities, but it also
includes work we must do as part of the local church. Every part of the body
must be involved in that work.
Summary
*******
Local
churches are working units, each one having work that the Lord expects it to
do. But each church can accomplish its work only to the extent that the members
participate. Christians should identify themselves with a local church, so they
can be part of its work. The church accomplishes its work only to the extent
that the members are actively involved.
Again,
individual Christians may visit other congregations and may be invited to
participate in its work, as Paul preached in Troas (Acts 20:7). But the general
pattern is that Christians work in the local church where they are members.
Just as
a ballplayer has responsibilities to the team, so a faithful Christian must be
actively involved in attending the meetings and participating in the work of a
local church.
But
remember that this is true because this is the will of the Lord. Why would any
Christian, who has devoted himself to serve the Lord, refuse to commit himself
to the work of a local church? How could local churches function if the members
do not get involved?
So, how actively involved are you and I in the work of this local
church?
IV. Disciples
Should Submit to Local Church Leadership.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Every
group needs leaders in order to function effectively. When a major league
baseball player becomes part of a team, he must submit to the team leaders:
manager, coaches, etc. So a faithful Christian must be part of a local church
and must submit to that church's leadership.
A. Each
Eldership Supervises the Congregation Where They Have Been Appointed.
=====================================================
Acts 14:23 - As each congregation matures, it should appoint its
own elders [Titus 1:5].
1 Peter
5:2,3 - Elders tend and oversee "the flock" (singular) that is
"among you." This "flock" is the local church, since each
church has its own elders. The jurisdiction of elders is local in nature, and
is expressly limited to the local church where they are appointed. [Acts
20:17,28]
Hebrews
13:17 - Like shepherds care for their own flock of sheep, so elders watch on
behalf of the souls of those in the local church. Surely every Christian should
desire to have such men watching for their souls.
In the
absence of qualified elders, the women still should submit to the leadership of
the men (1 Timothy 2:11,12; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35).
But the responsibility of those who lead extends only to the
members of one local flock.
B.
Members Should Identify Themselves with a Local Church to Have the Benefit of
Spiritual Leadership.
=====================================================
In
every group, leaders must know whom they are responsible to supervise, and
followers must know whom they are responsible to follow.
*****************************************************
Ephesians
5:22-24 - In the home, a husband is head of his own wife (not some other man's
wife), and a wife submits to her own husband (not some other woman's husband).
This requires a commitment - an agreement - as to who is or is not husband and
wife.
Ephesians
6:1-4 - Likewise parents have authority over their own children and children
submit to their own parents. Each must understand which children go with which
parents.
The
same principle applies to the leadership of civil rulers over their citizens,
employers over their employees, etc. That is why every institution has some
means to determine exactly who is or is not affiliated with that institution:
who is a citizen of that country and who is an employee of that company, etc.
Every leader must know whom to lead and every follower must know
whom to follow.
The same
applies in each local church.
**************************************
Acts
20:28-31 - Elders "take heed" and shepherd that flock (church) where
they, according to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, have been made elders -
"the flock which is among" them - 1 Peter 5:2. This includes the
responsibility to "watch" on behalf of the members (Hebrews 13:17),
especially to make sure no false teachers lead the members astray (vv 29-31).
Likewise,
members are commanded to "obey" and "submit" to "those
who rule over" them (Hebrews 13:17). Since each eldership supervises one
local church, they need to know which Christians are part of their flock, and
each Christian needs to know which shepherds to follow.
Consider
the conclusions that follow:
*************************************
Every
local church needs good leadership, and every member needs the benefit of
leaders watching for his soul. This is another reason why members should
identify themselves as part of a local church: so they have a congregation with
its leaders who are responsible to lead and watch for them spiritually, and so
they know which leaders they should follow.
Imagine
a baseball league in which no one knows which players are on which team:
players just "float" around with no commitment to any team. No
manager or coach would know what players to manage, and no players would know
which manager or coaches to listen to. The team does not function well, the
coaches do not function well, and the players do not function well.
That is
exactly the problem that occurs when members refuse to identify with a local
church, or if they habitually visit around "floating" from
congregation to congregation. How can the leaders of any church supervise them,
and how can the members function effectively?
Why
would any faithful Christian not want to be identified with the leadership of a
particular local church? If a person persistently refuses to do so, would this
not be a form of rebellion against God's plan for the care of souls and the
spiritual supervision of God's people?
Have we accepted the responsibility to work actively with the
leadership of a local church?
V.
Disciples Should Participate in Local Church Discipline.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When
major league ballplayers violate team rules or when a soldier violates rules,
they are subject to penalties. Likewise, God has a pattern for discipline
within a local church.
A. Each
Local Church Should Exercise Scriptural Chastisement.
=====================================================
Matthew 18:15-17
****************
When a
brother is confronted for a sin (as described in context) but refuses to
repent, the matter should be taken before "the church." This must
refer to the local church, since there is no other way to take a matter before
the church. So, this discipline is a function of the local church.
1 Corinthians chapter 5
***********************
The
church in Corinth had a man guilty of sin in their midst. Paul commanded them
to "put away" this brother, "purge out the old leaven," and
"not keep company" with him (vv 13,7,11). But this was to be done
"when you are gathered together" (v4). Again, them must refer to a
gathering of the local church, so this was a local church function.
Note
that the church in Corinth was commanded to deal with the member there who
sinned. Surely in both these passages, the local church that exercises the
discipline is the church the sinner was a member of. Just as discipline of a
child is especially the responsibility of that child's family, so discipline of
an erring member is especially the responsibility of the local church.
[2
Thessalonians 3:6,14,15; Titus 3:10,11; Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 1:3-11,19,20]
B. To
Participate in Church Discipline, a Disciple Must Be Part of a Local Church.
=====================================================
Remember
that discipline in a local church is for the benefit of the members. It is an
act of love to help members be saved, just as with all other forms of teaching
and edification. But since it is administered by the local church, it requires
that members be identified with a local church.
One who
refuses to be part of a local church cannot do this work to help others who go
into sin. Nor does he have a congregation to help him in this way if he goes
into sin. Nor does he have a congregation to help when other members sin
against him (Matt. 18:15-17).
Disciplining
a child is unpleasant, but it is Scripturally required and it benefits the
child. So church discipline is difficult in several ways. I fear that one
reason some people don't want to associate with a local church is that they
don't want to be subject to discipline and may even be unwilling to discipline
others. But like a family that refuses to discipline its children, such a view
is unscriptural and deprives members of a valuable benefit in God's service.
Major
league baseball players must submit to the rules and discipline of their team.
These rules include conditions under which players may leave the team or join
some other team. Those who leave in violation of the rules are subject to
penalties.
A
soldier is subject to the rules and discipline of his military unit. These
rules include conditions under which he may leave the military. Those who leave
in violation of the rules are subject to penalties. He is not free to just quit
in order to avoid discipline.
Likewise,
faithful Christians must submit to local church discipline. This includes rules
about how they may leave the church and become part of a different church.
Those who attempt to quit or leave in violation of the rules or to go into
error are subject to discipline.
This
discipline is actually both a responsibility and a benefit of membership in a
local church. It helps maintain purity in the church and in the lives of the
members.
VI.
Local Churches Should Receive Only "Faithful" Christians.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Major
league teams, colleges, etc., do not accept just anybody. They have standards
whereby they determine who can join the team or enroll in the school. Likewise,
local churches should not accept just anyone as members.
A.
Churches Should Not Fellowship Those Who Are in Sin.
=====================================================
1 John
1:7 - We have fellowship with one another if we walk in the light. We should
not have fellowship with those who walk in darkness (v5).
2 John
9-11 - We must not receive those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ.
Surely this includes not receiving them into the church.
1
Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15 - We have already learned that the
church should exclude those who sin and refuse to repent. It follows that the
church should refuse to receive from the outset those who are known to be in
sin. [Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10,11]
[Ephesians
5:7,11]
B.
Churches Should Investigate the "Faithfulness" of New Members.
=====================================================
("Faithful"
is in quotation marks, since no human can know another's heart. But we must
make a reasonable effort to investigate what we can know.)
1 John
4:1 - Because of false prophets, we are commanded to test the spirits.
Specifically, we should test those who seek to become part of the church to be
sure they are not false teachers.
Acts
20:28-30 - This testing is included in the duty of elders to "watch"
and "take heed" to protect the flock from wolves. [Heb. 13:17; Titus
1:9-13]
Revelation
2:2 - Jesus commended the church in Ephesus because it tested those who falsely
claimed to be apostles, and because it would not bear with those who are evil.
Some today criticize churches for examining the faithfulness of people who seek
to be part of the church. The Lord praised churches for it!
Acts
9:26-29 - The church in Jerusalem was justified in questioning whether or not
to accept Saul, because they did not believe he was a disciple.
Acts
18:27,28; 2 Corinthians 3:1 - This is also helps explain why churches may
communicate regarding those who move from one congregation to another. They
need to protect the flock from those who are not Christians or who have
uncorrected sin in their lives.
We
teach Christians to check a church out carefully before becoming members.
Likewise, churches carefully check out a preacher before asking him to work
with the local church. For all the same reasons churches should check out any
members before accepting them.
C.
Churches Must Receive Those Who Are Faithful.
===============================================
Acts 9:26-29 - Having found Saul to be a true Christian, the
Jerusalem church received him.
Acts 18:27,28 - Achaia accepted Apollos, having received a letter
of commendation.
3 John
8-10 - We "ought to receive" men who come to us who are faithful.
People like Diotrophes are in error if they refuse to receive faithful
brethren.
This
decision is not a matter of personal preference or majority vote. It is a
matter of applying and obeying Bible principles. We may compare it to the case
of someone wants to be baptized. We should seek to be sure they have followed
the Bible prerequisites to baptism. If not, we must refuse to baptize them. But
if they have followed the Bible requirements, we have no right to refuse to
baptize them.
So when
people seek to identify with the church, we should make sure they are sound in
the faith, and this includes the right to contact their former congregation.
But in the absence of evidence of sin, we have no right to refuse to receive
those who are faithful.
Conclusions
===========
As in
many areas, some particular aspects of carrying out this subject may not be
specified in Scripture and therefore must be decided by the local church. This
includes details about how the individual may indicate his desire to be part of
the church and details about how the church may investigate his faithfulness.
There may also be some variation in how long these decisions take in specific
cases. Nevertheless, we must respect the Bible principles we have learned.
A
Christian is responsible to affiliate with a faithful local church, so he can
meet and work with them, submit to their leadership, and participate in their
discipline.
Likewise,
a local church is responsible to examine those who seek to become part of the
local church to be sure they are faithful Christians.
Have
you fulfilled your responsibility to become a Christian? Are you living
faithfully, including fulfilling your responsibilities in the local church?
(C) Copyright 2012, David E. Pratte You are free to keep copies of this material on computer and/or in printed form for your own further study. If you have any other requests about the use of this material, please read our copyright guidelines at www.gospelway.com/copyrite.htm.
