BASIC CHRISTIANITY L3

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP Church membership is not only a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility. Since Christ is the Head of the Church, it is an exclusive organization. (Eph. 1:22).

I. WHAT IS A CHURCH?

1. The word translated “church” in the New Testament simply means “an assembly” or literally “called out ones”. A church is a group of believers “called out” of the world (Acts 15:14) by the Holy Spirit, assembled together as the people of God to carry out His orders and to glorify His name.
2. The word “church” in the Bible refers to local churches who have covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission and observe the ordinances given by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 16:5; Gal. 1:2; Matt. 18:20).

II. WHY SHOULD ONE JOIN A CHURCH

1. The Bible teaches it. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us not “to__________the assembling of ourselves__________.”
2. Believers in New Testament times joined churches. Acts 2:47 says that the Lord added to the”__________daily such as should be saved.”
3. For spiritual growth. “And they continued steadfastly in the “apostles__________(teachings), and__________,and in the__________of bread, and in__________.”(Acts 2:42) Read also Acts 8:31 and Eph. 4:11-12.
4. For fellowship, Read Acts 2:42-47.
5. For service, both in and through the church. (Acts 6:1-7).

III. WHO MAY JOIN A CHURCH?

1. Those who are born again or regenerated and who have been Scripturally baptized. (Acts 2:41).

IV. WHAT ARE SOME RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?

1. Attendance of regular church services. “Not__________the__________of yourselves together……. (Heb. 10:25). Acts 17:11 indicates this practice also.
2. Praying for the church’s leaders, people, and needs. “__________always with all__________ supplications …… for all . (Eph. 6:18).
3. Sharing in the ministries. Some Ministries are: (Rom. 12:6-8).
   a.__________b.__________c.__________d.__________e.__________
4. Witnessing to the unsaved. “Ye shall be my __________”(Acts 1:8).
5. Financially supporting the work of the church. “Upon the first day of the week, let__________of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him.” (I Cor. 16:1-2).

V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHURCH

1. The ordinances of the church are two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Neither ordinance has any saving power or merits.
2. The officers of the church are two: pastor (also called in the Bible “Bishop” and “Elder”) and deacons. (Phil. 1:1). Qualifications and duties of each of these officers are laid down in the Bible. I Timothy 3:1-7 for pastors and I Timothy 3:8-13 for deacons. The pastor has supervision and over-sight of the entire life of the church and is responsible to God for the church, and to the church for faithfully fulfilling the duties of that office. The duties of the deacon are to assist the pastor in the performance of his duties and to wait tables at the observance of the “Lord’s Supper.” (Acts 6:1-6). Read also Hebrews 13:7-14, Eph. 4:11-12.
3. The Mission of the church is threefold, expressed in the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:18-20).
   a. To win souls to Christ and to the Church (make disciples) “Teach all nations.”
   b. To Scripturally baptize believers –”Baptizing them.” (Observing ordinances)
   c. To teach the Word of God–”teaching them to observe all things. .”(Sunday School, Church School, Bible College, Etc.)