the church of our lord does not occupy the place in the hearts of men that it should. “my church...

2

Introduction

The church of our Lord does not occupy the place in the hearts of men that it should.

“My church is boating on the lake.”

“My church is playing 18 holes of golf on Sunday.”

Many reject the “church” because they despise “organized religion.”

“Too much hypocrisy!”

I can’t argue, because they’re right! 2 Pet. 2:1-2

3

Introduction

Even more reject the church when you talk about the one true church revealed in the NT. The singular nature of the NT church is the

Bible’s most controversial doctrine. Generated more criticism than any other

topic. Most buy into the denominational

concept of the church. Every denomination is part of the

“mystical body of Christ.” “We may be traveling different paths, but

we are all going to the same place.”

4

Introduction

People reject that salvation is found only in the one true church built by Jesus (Matt. 16:18); He is its foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), head (Col. 1:18) and Savior (Eph. 5:23). By rejecting this teaching they rob

themselves of the spiritual blessings found only in Christ!

The one true church is incomparably greater than all human institutions, whether sectarian or fraternal!

Part 14: What It Means To Be a Member of the New Testament Church

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

The New Testament

Church

6

The Grandeur and Glory of the Church

God is its author; of divine not human origin! It is God’s temple: Eph. 2:21 It is God’s dwelling place: Eph. 2:22 It is not built by man: Heb. 8:1-2 Its builder is Jesus: Matt. 16:18 It must be handled with great care: 1

Cor. 3:10-12 It alone is recognized by God as His

work: Matt. 15:13 It wears God’s name: Eph. 3:14-16 It is God’s institution: 1 Cor. 1:2

What It Means To Be a Member of the Church

7


Christ is its Savior, head, and foundation: Christ gave Himself for it: Eph. 5:25-27

Christ purchased it: Acts 20:28

Christ is its head: Col. 1:18

It is Christ’s body: Eph. 1:22-23

Christ is its high priest: Heb. 10:19-22a

Christ is its Savior: Eph. 5:23; Acts 4:11-12

Christ represents us in heaven: 1 Jn. 2:1-2


“The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth...by divine right the Pope has

supreme and full power in faith, in morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true vicar, the head of the entire

church, the father and teacher of all Christians. He is the infallible ruler,

the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the supreme

judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth.” Quoted in the New York Catechism.

8


It has a grand and glorious mission: It is the “pillar and ground of truth”: 1

Tim. 3:15

Sending agency for preaching the gospel: Rom. 1:16-17; 10:11-15; Acts 13:1-3; cf. Phil. 4:15-16

Wisdom of God made known by it: Eph. 3:10-11

God is glorified in it: Eph. 3:21What It Means To Be a Member of the Church

9


All spiritual blessings are in it: It is the “fulness” of Christ: Eph. 1:23

All “spiritual blessings” are “in Christ”: Eph. 1:3; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23

In it we are reconciled to God: Col. 1:18-20

Entrance process into church and into Christ are the same: Gal. 3:26-27; Acts 2:41, 47


10

What Church Membership Means

Membership in the NT church means: One is a member of the “body of Christ”: 1

Cor. 12:12-13a, 27

One is a worker in the Lord’s vineyard: Matt. 20:1; 1 Cor. 3:9

One is a living stone in God’s spiritual temple: 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Pet. 2:5

One is a priest: 1 Pet. 2:9

One is married to Christ: Rom. 7:4

One is a citizen in Christ’s kingdom: Col. 1:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:24

One is a child in God’s family: Gal. 3:26-27


11


Membership means enjoyment of God’s grace: Fatherly watch, care, and protection: 1 Pet.

3:12; 5:6-7; Phil. 4:5-7; 1 Cor. 10:12-13 Fatherly provision of all needed things:

Matt. 6:33-34; 2 Cor. 9:6-11; Psa. 84:11 Fatherly correction and discipline: Heb.

12:5-11; Jas. 1:2-4 Right to appeal to God as father: 1 Pet.

3:12; Matt. 7:7-11 Fellowship with the saints: Phil. 2:1-4; Ron.

12:10 Hope of an eternal inheritance: 1 Pet. 1:3-5;

Gal. 3:29; Rom. 8:14-17


12


Membership means a life of holiness, sanctification, and justification:

“Washed, Sanctified, and Justified”: 1 Cor. 6:11

“Called to be saints”: 1 Cor. 1:2

A “holy calling”: Eph. 4:1; 2 Cor. 7:1

A calling to “depart from unrighteousness”: 2 Tim. 2:19What It Means To Be a Member of

the Church

13

Responsibilities of Church Membership

Local church membership:


“Since the congregation is the only unit of organization known in the New Testament for carrying forward the work of the Church, it follows that for a Christian to be in full fellowship with the Church, he must be associated with, be a part of, and amenable to a local church. There is no such thing in the New Testament Scriptures described as ‘Membership at large’ in the Church of God.

Paul in his work always associated himself with a congregation of Christians (Acts 9:26-30; 13:1-3; 14:25-28).” (Cogdill, Roy, The New Testament Church, p. 38)

14


Subjection to elders of local church:

Elders to exercise oversight of local church: 1 Pet. 5:1-5

Members obligated to obey the elders : 1 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 5:17-18


15


Participation in the work of the local church:

Prepared for every good work: Titus 2:11-14

Bear fruit : Jn. 15:1-8; Lk. 6:44

All have a share in the local work: Eph. 4:16

Our work, must be our work: Gal. 6:4-5


16


Preservation of unity, peace, and harmony of the body:

Must not contribute to division: 1 Cor. 1:10

No hierarchy in the church: 1 Cor. 12:12-26

Avoid anyone causing division: Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Jn. 9-11

Personal obligation to pursue unity: Eph. 4:1-3


17


Preservation of purity of the church:

Christ died to establish its purity: Eph. 5:25-27

We must maintain this purity: 2 Tim. 2:19-22; 6:11-12a; 4:12; 5:22b; Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 3:6


18


Bearing fruit insofar as the mission of the church is concerned:

It’s the reason we’re united with Christ: Rom. 7:4

Prerequisite to be in fellowship with the Lord: Jn. 15:1-8

Each member shares in this mission: Eph. 4:16; 1 Thess. 1:8What It Means To Be a Member of

the Church

19

Salvation and Church Membership

Essentiality of the church seen in Christ’s attitude toward it:

He valued it enough to purchase it: Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25; Phil. 2:5


20


Cannot be “in Christ” without being in the church:

Can’t be joined to the “head” without being in “the body”: 1 Cor. 12:27; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:21-23

Christ is the King, the church is His kingdom: 1 Tim. 6:15; Col. 1:13, 18; Eph. 5:24

Christ is the bridegroom and the church is His bride: Eph. 5:23-32; Matt. 19:5-6; Rom. 7:4


21


To be “in Christ” is to be in His body (church): We become near to God: Eph. 2:13 Cleanses our conscience: Heb. 9:14 Washes us from our sins: Rev. 1:5 Redeems us: Eph. 1:7 Cleanses us of sin: 1 Jn. 1:7 But, Christ purchased church with His

blood: Acts 20:28

Therefore, to be “in Christ” is to be in His “body,” is to be in His church.


22


All “spiritual blessings” are “in Christ”: Eph. 1:3

Church is the “fullness of Christ”: Eph. 1:22-23

If the church is the “fullness” of Christ, and all “spiritual blessings” are “in Christ”; then all “spiritual blessings” must be in what makes Christ full, the church!What It Means To Be a Member of

the Church

23


Members of Christ’s church have their names enrolled in heaven: Heb. 12:22-23 If not enrolled in heaven, then lost:

Rev. 20:15

Salvation is “in Christ”: 2 Tim. 2:10

Christ is Savior of the church: Eph. 5:23

If those in the church “are registered in heaven” and have obtained “salvation…in Christ” and Christ is “Savior of the body” (church); then only members of His church are saved!


24


Same process/conditions saving one from sin, makes one a Christian and adds one to the church:

Faith and baptism produce salvation: Mk. 16:15-16

Faith and baptism puts one into Christ: Gal. 3:26-27

Faith and baptism adds one to the church: Acts 2:38, 41, 47What It Means To Be a Member of

the Church

25

How to become a member of the church

Testimony of Christ:

Must be born again: Jn. 3:3-5

Must be converted: Matt. 18:1-3; Lk. 13:3

Must obey the Great Commission: Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20


26


Testimony of the apostles: Foolishness of preaching: 1 Cor. 1:21 Must hear God’s word: Rom. 10:14-17 Must repent and be converted: Acts

3:19; 17:30 Must be baptized: Gal. 3:26-27 Must obey the truth: 1 Pet. 1:22 Most obey doctrine: Rom. 6:17-18 Must be led by the Spirit: Rom. 8:14 Must be washed, justified, sanctified: 1

Cor. 6:11; 1:2What It Means To Be a Member of the Church

27


Teaching by figures:

New birth: Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:23; Jas. 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; Jn. 3:5 (cf. Acts 2:38-41, 47; Gal. 3:26-27)

Marriage to Christ: Eph. 5:23-30; Jn. 6:44-45; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 4:19; Rom. 7:4; 6:3; Gal. 3:27


28


Examples:

Pentecostians: Acts 2

Samaritans: Acts 8:12, etc.

Corinthians: Acts 18:4, 8, etc.

Ephesians: Acts 19; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:26-27


29

Conclusion

Being a member of the New Testament church is a very profound and unique thing: Entirely different than membership in a

“Christian” denomination, either Catholic or Protestant.

Entirely different than being a member of one of the world’s religions (e.g., Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, etc.).

Entirely different than membership in any “organized religion” or secular civic organization.

Is not necessarily synonymous with being a member of a group calling itself “Church of Christ.”

30

Conclusion

Can’t become a member by “joining” any church, regardless of its name. Can only be saved by becoming a member of the New Testament church: Hear the gospel: Rom. 10:17

Saving faith: Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24; Jas. 2:19

Confess faith in Christ: Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37

Repent of sins: Acts 17:30; 2:38

Baptized: Mk. 16:16; Matt. 28:19; Gal. 3:26-27; Acts 2:38, 41, 47

Remain faithful: Col. 1:21-23

the church of our lord does not occupy the place in the hearts of men that it should. “my church...

Documents