MEMBERSHIP – IT’S RESPONSIBLITIES BY JAMES A. UDU

INTRODUCTION

Every relationship in life that is worth while involves responsibilities. Membership in the church of God bestows  upon one the highest and holiest privileges and blessings and, therefore, involves the greatest responsibility and most serious obligations. Some of these responsibilities of membership in the church are:

 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 associated with, be a part of, and amenable to a local church. There is no such thing in the New Testament Scripture 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]

SUBJECTION TO ELDERS AS A MEMBER OF A CONGREGATION

1. Elders to exercise oversight 1Pet. 5:1-5
2. “Obey them that have the rule over you- they watch for your souls” Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 5:17-19.

JOINT  PARTICIPATION OR FELLOWSHIP IN THE WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

1.  “Ready unto every good work” Titus 3:1,
2.  “Every joint supplieth” Eph. 4:16
3.  “Every tree known by its own fruit” Luke 6:44
4.  “Let each man do” 11 Cor. 8:7; 8:11-15
5.  “Prove your own work” Gal. 6:4,5

PRESERVATION OF UNIT, PEACE AND HARMONY OF THE BODY

1.  “No division among you” Titus 3:1, 2
2. “No schism-same care one for another” 1Cor. 12:24-25
3. “Avoid them that cause division among you” Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Tim. 6:3-4; Titus 1:10-11; 11 John 9-11.
4. “Endeavoring [making some definite effort] to keep unity of spirit in the bond of peace” Eph. 4:1-3

PRESERVING AND MAINTAINING THE PURITY OF THE CHURCH:

1. Christ died to establish its purity Eph. 5:25-27.
2. We must live to maintain it 11 Tim. 2:19-22;    1Tim. 4:12; 1 Tim. 5:22; Phil. 1:27.