Universal Church Membership
Church in the Bible (ecclesia) simply means assembly. It is a gathering of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ–those whom God has saved by grace through faith.
Church in English stems from the Greek word, Kyriakos. It means ‘those called out from the world’ or ‘those belonging to the Lord.’
The Church is not a building. It is a universal gathering–a body. This body is made up of Christians who are spiritually knit together by the bond of the Holy Spirit with Christ as the Head. The church is instituted and loved by Christ and given authority as Christ’s representative body on earth.
Church in English stems from the Greek word, Kyriakos. It means ‘those called out from the world’ or ‘those belonging to the Lord.’
The Church is not a building. It is a universal gathering–a body. This body is made up of Christians who are spiritually knit together by the bond of the Holy Spirit with Christ as the Head. The church is instituted and loved by Christ and given authority as Christ’s representative body on earth.
Local Church Membership
While the Church is global, God has instituted local congregations as well. These local churches are made up of baptized believers who enter into a covenant together. We gather to worship God, to sit under the preaching of His Word, and to receive the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We gather for fellowship, care, discipline, mutual edification, evangelism, and good works.
With membership comes responsibilities and privileges–to serve and be served. Members submit to the authority of Elders and Deacons, but also participate in the selecting of this leadership. All of the body's members work together for the sake of the Gospel, exercising their gifts and putting one another first.
While membership doesn't save us, it can help assure us of our salvation. Desiring to unite ourselves to the body of Christ in obedience to Him is evidence of our faith, and when the local Church affirms our profession of faith, we have further assurance of our salvation.
Christianity is deeply personal, but it is not private. It is corporate.
Blogs on membership.
With membership comes responsibilities and privileges–to serve and be served. Members submit to the authority of Elders and Deacons, but also participate in the selecting of this leadership. All of the body's members work together for the sake of the Gospel, exercising their gifts and putting one another first.
While membership doesn't save us, it can help assure us of our salvation. Desiring to unite ourselves to the body of Christ in obedience to Him is evidence of our faith, and when the local Church affirms our profession of faith, we have further assurance of our salvation.
Christianity is deeply personal, but it is not private. It is corporate.
Blogs on membership.
