Hanover Baptist Church

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SAVED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Matthew 16.18

INTRODUCTION

The membership of a New Testament local church consists of only those who have:

                              1. openly confessed Jesus Christ as Savior, and

                              2. demonstrated a willingness to obey the teachings of the Bible, and

                              3. agree to the doctrine and standards of the local church.

                 I. WHAT DOES "CHURCH" MEAN?

                              1. The word "church" is used over 100 times in the Bible.

                              2. The literal meaning of the word "church" is "called-out ones."

                              3. The church is made up of those who are saved.

                              4. The word does not mean a building.

                              5. "Church" refers to saved people; therefore the people are the church.

                              6. In Scripture, “church” refers to a particular group of people:

· Act 20.28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

· 1Ti 3.15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God.

· 1Co 1.2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.

· 2Co 1.1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth.

· Gal 1.2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia.

              II. WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

                              1. The church is God's institution for conducting His work. Mat 16.18

                              2. The purpose of the church:

· The church brings glory to God. Eph 3.21

· The church develops the members. Act 20.28-32

· The church is God's pillar and foundation of the truth. 1Ti 3.15

· The church evangelizes the world. Act 1.8

                              3. The blessing of the church:

· The church will deepen your fellowship. Act 2.41-42

· The church will guard against your backsliding. Heb 10.24-25

· The church will enlarge your service. Act 4.23-31

· The church will strengthen your testimony. Act 15.41

· The church will deepen your prayer life. Act 4.23-31

           III. DOES THE BIBLE TEACH MEMBERSHIP?

                              1. Our participation in Christ necessitates membership.

· Christ founded the church.

Mat 16.18 Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

· Christ is the Head of the church.

- Col 1.18 And he is the head of the body, the church

- Eph 5.30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

· Christ loves the church.

Eph 5.25 Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

                              2. Additions to the church require membership.

· You cannot add a definite number to an indefinite number.

· Act 2.41 The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

· Act 2.47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

                              3. The business of the church cannot operate without membership. Act 6.1-5

· When a church is making a decision, who does the voting?

· How can there be an election without a definite list of voters?

                              4. The discipline of the church rests upon membership.

· Mat 18.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

· In this verse God refers to a definite group of people in a definite place. If the member neglects to hear the church -- a definite body -- something happens. It would be impossible to put someone out of an organization of which he is not a member!

            IV. THE FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

                              1. Mutual help. Gal 6.1

                              2. Meeting together. Heb 10.24-25

                              3. Electing officers. Act 6.1-6

                              4. Group praying. Act 12.5

                              5. Sending missionaries. Act 13.1-4

                              6. Doctrinal decisions. Act 15.1-4,12,22,24

                              7. Discipline. 1Co 5.4-5; 2Th 3.6-15

                              8. Church giving. 1Co 16.1; 2Co 8.1-6

                              9. Missionary support. Php 4.15

                          10. Serving communion. 1Co 11.17,33,34

                          11. Supporting pastors. 1Ti 5.17-18

                          12. Caring for others. Gal 6.10; Eph 4.31-32

CONCLUSION

                              1. A Christian should give his effort, money and time for Christian service in the local church.

                              2. Caution should prevail in contributing to organizations which compete with the church.