Church Membership

Do you question the popular belief of what church membership is and how it is obtained?

The Bible say's if you have been...

John 17:19 ...sanctified...

Ephesians 1:4-12 ...adopt(ed) as sons by Jesus Christ...

Revelations 1:5 ...washed...from (your) sins in His own blood...

John 3:3 ...born again...

John 3:5-6 ...born of water and the Spirit...

Galatians 3:13 ...redeemed...from the curse of the law...

Titus 2:14 ...from every lawless deed...

1 Corinthians 3:9 ...are God’s fellow workers...

And are...

1 Thessalonians 3:2 ...fellow laborer(s) in the gospel of Christ...

Then...

Ephesians 2:19 ...you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...

Yes God's word say's...

1 Corinthians 12:27 ...you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Meaning you...

Ephesians 5:30 ...are members of (Jesus') body, of (Jesus') flesh and of (Jesus') bones.

1 Corinthians 12:20 ...there are many members, yet one body (in Christ). (See also Romans 12:5)

1 Corinthians 12:13 ...by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Now that we know we are MEMBERS and NOT GUESTS in the household of God, Remember...

1 Corinthians 12:25 ...there should be no schism in the body (of Christ)...the members should have the same care for one another...if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Beware of assemblies that declare you must tithe or give to their ministry to be a member of the Church. Beware of assemblies that declare you must be on their membership list to be a member of the Church. Remember, there is only one Church of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Being a member of a congregation is very important to many Christians. This is honorable and should not be discarded for Jesus does instruct us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves (Hebrews 10:24:25). However, many Christians for the sake of membership have submitted to many false teaching that are inspired by mans idea's, opinions, and philosophies. This is dishonorable and ought not be (Colossians 2:8)! Jesus' word specifically instructs us not to be "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Heb. 13:9).

Those who know Jesus' word have the responsibility to warn and correct those who contradict it (Titus 1:9) to ensure that His word is maintained, especially in regards to the congregation they attend. They must insist that the gospel of Jesus be taught and not the opinion's, theory's or philosophy's of men. To remain in a congregation that has gone astray from Jesus' word without obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit and boldly declaring the truth (God's word) is unfaithfulness. Faithful believers must declare the truth.

A congregation that minimizes the importance of Jesus' word does harm to itself and the members there of. Any one who submits to such a congregation will be like those "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.

We encourage you to inspect your congregation's doctrines and to match them with Jesus'. We encourage you to exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). May your consciences be captive to Jesus' word and Spirit!

See the truth about the Church and see the truth about Doctrine @ www.connectionmagazine.org

These Bible verses were compiled from the New King James Version by Brian & Jon Israel, Truth Ministries, PO Box 25096, Cleveland, OH 44125 www.ConnectionMagazine.org, email: jon@connectionmagazine.org

Our purpose is to rightly divide the word of the One True Almighty God/Father/Savior Jesus Christ whose word is found in the Holy Bible; To provoke you to read His Word thoroughly; To encourage you to seek Him diligently in prayer, and to help you develop a strong relationship with Him.

Please email corrections or comments to editor@connectionmagazine.org. We appreciate your help.