God's Word to the Wise

Many well-meaning Christians attend a church without ever joining that church in membership. For many, this pattern probably finds its genesis in the expressive individualism rampant in our culture. But the notion that a local church is merely a gathering to attend rather than a body to join is foreign to the New Testament. 

The Bible distinguishes between the invisible church and the visible church. Those who exercise faith in Christ are admitted into the invisible church where the all of individuals throughout time exists in perfect, spiritual unity. Biblically speaking, the invisible church finds expression in the visible communities of God’s people. The majority of the New Testament letters are written to local congregations in the various cities throughout the Middle East. The metaphors used to refer to the church in Scripture, a flock, a body, a household, etc. speak of a vital and close relationship with other Christians.

Membership in a local church provides this close relationship through fellowship. (Acts 2:41-42) “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them (The local visible group of believers.) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Christian fellowship is concerned primarily with giving rather than with receiving. We ask not what our churches can do for us but instead what we can do for our churches.(Borrowed from former president John F. Kennedy)

Jesus sent His disciples out, charging them to “teach” what He had taught them (Matt. 28:18–19). The apostles also appointed“pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11) who were set apart to labor in the Word and in doctrine, teaching the members in the local churches. Together with their fellow elders, they watch over the flock as men who will give an account. (Hebrew 3:12) “Obey those who (Spiritually) rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Such instruction comes mainly through a local church.

Jesus and the apostles outlined the process of discipline in the church. Jesus said that if the person under discipline “refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17), He’s urging us to treat the unrepentant person as we would a person who doesn’t profess faith. The point is to sound an alarm, so to speak, hoping that God’s kindness would restore that person back to a right relationship with Christ and with the church. Discipline in the church is formative. It’s meant for our good and for the body’s health.

In (1 Corinthians 12), Paul likens the church to a body with various members, each member playing a critical role in the well-being of all its members. (VV 12-31) Spiritual gifts are varied. They are given by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church family and used to edify the church.

Finally, the local church is God’s provision for praise. When we gather on the Lord’s Day, we do so for the purpose of worship “to stir one another up to good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). There’s a sense in which Sunday by Sunday, as God gives these gifts to the church, He’s preparing us for the great convocation of praise in the New heavens and earth. Our gatherings are a microcosm of what one day will be: the whole company of the redeemed declaring in praise, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).

We are meant to join rather than merely attend a local church. Therefore, take action and join a church in membership. 

What are we to look for in a local church? 

First, find a church that teaches the Bible in which those who are teaching the Bible are also themselves submitting to the Bible. Second, look for where there is prayer taking place. Finally, find a church that is concerned with seeing unbelieving people become committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Simply put: God’s desire is to see His children attached to Christ by faith and then to faithful local churches in membership. 

This post was adapted from the sermon(s) “Belonging” by Alistair Begg.