The Reformed Life

“I don’t need the church to follow Jesus.” 

Have you heard those words before? Maybe you’ve said them yourself. Is that true? Can you follow Jesus and not belong to a local church? The answer may not be what you think. 

Before we answer that question, let me lay my cards out on the table. I am a pastor. I’ve been in full-time vocational ministry for the last fourteen years. If you approached me fourteen years ago and asked me the question I’m asking you, I probably would’ve struggled to give a biblical answer. In fact, I may have even answered the question that church membership isn’t necessary. 

But the Lord’s goodness and kindness have shown me (through His Word) the importance of church membership. Not only have I discovered its importance, but I’ve also discovered its beauty. Fourteen years later, I realized I needed the church to follow Christ faithfully. So, is it a fact that church membership is unnecessary to follow Jesus? Or could it be that church membership is, in fact, a biblical concept? Let’s delve into this question further.

Let me give you five indicators from the New Testament that membership is biblical. 

The Church Kept Records 

Let’s start with Acts. Christ has died and been resurrected. He has ascended to the Father’s right hand and charged the apostles to be His witnesses. Following Pentecost, a great work of God occurred. People, after hearing Peter’s preaching, believed in the gospel message! Following their belief, they were baptized. Luke says, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).” Pay attention to the word added. 

The word appears a few verses later as Luke writes, “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (2:47).” We see that the Lord constantly added to their number (5:14), and they were increasing in number daily (16:5). 

What do we see? The early church kept records, quantifying and organizing God’s work. Later, in 1 Timothy, Paul refers to the registered widows (1 Timothy 5:9). How could this be if the early church didn’t keep some record? Maybe that’s not enough to convince you. Let’s go to indicator #2. 

God Distinguishes His People from the World

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God has been about delineating His people from the outside world. In the Old Testament, God distinguishes His people through circumcision, ceremonies, His Law, and covenants. In the New Testament, God distinguishes His people through baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and holiness. 

It was known to God’s people who belonged to God’s people. 

The Church Has an Inside and Outside 

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 is a passage that deals with church discipline. A man is guilty of committing a sin that even pagans would blush at (v.1). Paul calls the church to remove this man from their gathering. He says a bit of leaven leavens the whole lump (v.6). Paul calls the church to exercise judgment, but this judgment is limited in scope. Paul doesn’t ask them to judge those outside but those inside the church (v.12). How is one inside or outside of the church if they didn’t practice some formal membership? 

Christians Have Leaders, and Leaders Have Congregants 

The author of Hebrews writes, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account (Heb. 13:17).” Now, logically, does this mean that Christians are to submit to any and every Christian leader? I wouldn’t think so. Does this mean that leaders are responsible for every Christian in a given area? I wouldn’t think so. Paul says leaders will give an account for those entrusted to their oversight. Church membership is essential to exercise faithful pastoral oversight.

Christians Must Obey the “One-Another” Passages 

There are many “one-another” verses in the Bible. But let’s look at one. Again, in Hebrews, the author says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:12-13).” 

The author is concerned about God’s people’s hardened hearts. He calls for them to take care (to examine). How are they to fight against the deceitfulness of sin? By exhorting one another every day. They are commanded to come alongside each other and encourage one another. The Christians were to act like “rumble strips” on the highway for each other. Sure, you may not need a rumble strip to see the boundaries of a road, but it’s certainly helpful when you don’t pay attention! 

Here’s the truth: we’re all prone to drifting off course. To say otherwise is naïve. Furthermore, when you do drift, you’re not accountable to them if you’re not a member and another Christian calls you to repentance (Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1). They can’t practice loving church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20) and you’re not accountable to leadership (Heb. 13:17). You can go about your day. Membership matters because holiness matters. 

I’ve given you five indicators of church membership from the New Testament. Did they help you? Maybe they didn’t. If not, I’d encourage you to listen to this brief talk from Dr. Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and to check out this short book from Pastor Mark Dever at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Let me leave you with this verse from Galatians. Paul says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10).”  

In Christ,

Josh

If you would like to stay updated on new content, fill out the subscription form below. Thanks for reading!