The Local Church: Its Identity and Membership

Introduction. The Bible teaches that “the church” or assembly of those in fellowship with God in Christ may be understood in at least two senses: 1) the church universal (all the saved everywhere), and the local church (the faithful in a given location). The word used for church can also be used in a third sense of a local church actually assembled, but it is not a separate entity, just an actual assembly as opposed to those who are a part of a local church whether assembled or not. Tonight I would like for us to talk a little about the local church. Is it necessary to be a member of a local church? If so, what does the Bible teach that it means if I am a member of a local church—what are my responsibilites?

I. The Makeup and Membership of a Local Church.

A.      Obedience to the gospel is necessary for salvation (2 Thess. 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 4:17-18).

1.      When one does this he or she is added to the Lord’s church universally (Acts 2:37-47). Some manuscripts do not put the word “church” here, but it is clear if you continue on in the book the “them” (which is all some mss. have) is later identified—it is “the church” (Acts 5:11).

B.      Faithful Christians identify themselves with a sound local congregation. After Saul obeyed the gospel when he came to Jerusalem he “tried to join himself to the disciples” (Acts 9:26-28)—NASB puts it “to associate with.” They did not accept him at first until Barnabas brought him to them. While at Antioch, Paul identified himself with the saints there for a year (Acts 11:26).

1.      This should be distinguished from the sense in which God adds one to the church. We do not join the church by obeying the gospel—God knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19). God knows the heart and knows those who have truly repented, truly put their faith in Him, in true obedience to the gospel. Identifying with a local church is simply finding those of sound faith, and through communication with one another determining—(on the part of the individual) “does this church follow what the New Testament teaches?” And also (on the part of the congregation) “has this person been obedient to the gospel, to the extent that we are able to determine it?”

2.      The Bible does not teach the notion of a “Christian at large,” (i.e. Christians who are not identified with a sound local congregation). In the examples we see in Scripture Christians either identify with existing sound congregations, or establish local congregations when they find areas where there are none.

C.      Christians are personally responsible to identify with a sound congregation. To associate ourselves with error and unsound practice is to share in the error (2 John 9-11; Eph. 5:1-11).

1.      This works both ways. The individual must identify with sound practice and the congregation must maintain association with sound practice. Withdrawal is when a congregation comes to the point that it must decide that the behavior of one of its members is no longer sound (1 Cor. 5:4-5).

II. Responsibilities of Membership in a Local Church. When a person identifies with a local congregation he makes a commitment to God and to the Christians with whom he identifies.

A.      He commits to “edify” (or build up) the other members (Eph. 4:11-16). Note: He is talking about workers in the church (vs. 11), but he builds to talking about how “every part” of the body is to do “its share” towards the goal of “edifying itself in love” (vs. 16).

1.      Whether I am a preacher, or teacher or not as a part of a local church, I have a responsibility to “edify” (i.e. build up) my fellow members. This is emphasized throughout the New Testament (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11).

2.      How can I do this if I am not here? How can I do this if I am sporadic in my attendance?

B.      He commits to attend assemblies and Bible studies of the local church (Heb. 10:23-25). Note: the inference here is that if I am not doing this I am not holding fast to the confession (vs. 23). But further, to refuse to do this is to sin willfully (Heb. 10:26-27).

C.      He commits to “encourage” the other members. In Hebrews 10:25, the NASB rather than “exhorting” speaks of this as “encouraging,”

1.      Much like edifying this is emphasized throughout the New Testament (Col. 2:1-3). Timothy was said to “establish” and “encourage” brethren in their faith (1 Thess. 3:2). We must all fulfill our responsibility to do the same.

D.     He commits to “teach” other members in the singing of songs of worship to God (Col. 3:16). Even if we are not able, or not currently teaching in a formal class, the Bible teaches that as Christians we are to “teach” one another in the songs that we sing.

1.      How can I do this if I do not participate?

E.      He commits to “submit” to the leadership within a local church (Heb. 13:17).

1.      This involves a willingness to help.

2.      This involves a submissive attitude.

3.      This involves respect.

4.      This involves making ourselves accountable.

5.      One can choose whether or not to identify with a particular local church but having done so (in matters that do not involve the violation of Scripture) Christians cannot pick and choose when they want to submit and when they do not. They cannot submit in things they like, but not in things that are not their preference.

F.       He commits to grow in Christ (2 Pet. 3:17-18). This is an example of drawing a necessary inference from what is taught in Scripture. We noticed earlier that each of us has a responsibility to build each other up. If everyone is responsible to build up, the clear inference is that everyone is to be built up. I can’t carry out my responsibility to build others, if I am not willing to be built up by others.

1.      Again, how can I do that if I am not here?

G.      He commits to demonstrate to the world the faith he holds in God and love he feels for the mercy he has received in Christ.

1.      Christians are to be the “light of the word” (Matt. 5:16).

2.      Christians are to “love one another” (1 John 4:11).

3.      Christians, having received grace, are to let that grace move us to righteous behavior (Titus 2:11-12).

4.      Yes, this is demonstrated outside of the local church but it must also be demonstrated by the local church and within the local church.