The Bible says in Acts 2:47 that the “Lord added to their number
daily those who were being saved.” There was a specific group of people in each
city that was the “church.” The Greek word for church is “ekklesia” which means “called out ones.” You can’t be called out of
something unless you are called into something else. That something else is the
church - a group that could be numbered; that could be added to; that could be
identified. The church was not some mystical group of people floating around in
the community. It was a very identifiable group of people who were called out
to be markedly different from the rest of their culture.
We are called into the church to experience relationship with one
another. A word the Bible frequently uses is fellowship.
Acts 2:42 says the early church devoted itself to “fellowship.”
That is a word that means caring for one another in a multitude of ways…from
praying, to bearing burdens, to encouraging, to loving. It means caring for one
another emotionally, spiritually and physically. This happens within the common
group that is called the church.
The extending and receiving of love and fellowship can only happen
when we are in contact with each other. That is why it says in Hebrews 10:25, “Let
us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us
not give up meeting together…”
Fellowship – loving, supporting, encouraging relationship –
happens primarily when we are together as a real, physical, identifiable group
of believers.
When we become Christians, we also need to be connected for the
purposes of accountability and authority.
These are concepts and values that have suffered greatly in the
90’s. However, the New Testament knows nothing of a Christian who is wandering
around disconnected from other believers. It knows nothing of a believer who,
like a part of the body, would survive for any period of time separated from
that body.
So, we have several references to the idea of being in a body of
believers and being under the care and authority of the leadership of that
body. The writer of Hebrews instructs us in chapter 13:17 to “Obey your
leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must
give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden for
that would be of no advantage to you.”
It is a body of leaders who have been selected by the church to
prudently watch and care for those who are under their charge. To the elders in
Ephesus Paul wrote, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which
he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28)
Every Christian has a spiritual gift that is to be used to serve
others (1 Peter 4:10). We were not saved to sit, but saved to serve. We are
called to minister to one another based on the giftedness we have received.
This occurs most effectively within the context of the local church. As we join
with others in ministry, we become much more effective. We have a greater
impact on the community and ultimately, have a greater witness for Christ.
By far, most people who find Christ do so because someone invited
them to a church. It is difficult to invite someone to something to which you
don’t belong. It is difficult to have credibility telling someone to be
involved in the life of the church if we aren’t personally involved ourselves.
If we are going to have an effective witness to others for the
church, Christ’s body, we need to be able to give a personal testimony of our
own involvement. If we can say we have been a member of a church for a number
of years and have been actively involved, that will say far more than just
giving lip service.
Are you “plugged-in”? Are you a member of a local church within
your community? If not, find a Bible-believing church and get yourself attached
as soon as possible. The dividends will be great and you will become a part of
a family that will nurture and love you and through which you can extend
Christ’s love to others.
Although there is some evidence that letters of introduction were
sent with some church members as they traveled from one community to another
(Acts 18:27, Romans 16:1 & 2 Corinthians 3:1) the Bible does not spell out
any hard and fast rules relative to membership requirements. Typically, they
will vary somewhat from church to church. At Westview Christian Church we
require that someone desiring membership:
1.
Be a confessed believer in
Christ.
2.
Have demonstrated belief
through baptism (immersion).
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS
A MEMBER?
At Westview we never ask our members to do more than the
Bible clearly teaches. We only encourage our members to do what the Bible
expects every Christian to do.
1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
·
By acting in love toward other members
·
By refusing to gossip
·
By following the leaders
·
By reconciling conflict
"So let us concentrate
on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship
together.” Rom. 15:19(Ph)
"Live in complete harmony
with each other - each with the attitude
of Christ toward each other." Rom.
15:5(LB)
"Have a sincere love
for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your
hearts." 1 Peter 1:22(GN)
"Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others
up according to their needs ... ”
Eph.4:29
"Obey your leaders and submit to
their authority. They keep watch
over you as men who must give
an account. Obey them so that
their work will be a joy, not a
burden, for that would be no
advantage to you.” Heb. 13:17
2. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY
CHURCH
· By
praying for it’s growth
· By
inviting the unchurched to attend
· By
warmly welcoming those who are alone and/or visit
"To the church ... we always
thank God for you and pray for
you constantly." 1 Thess.
1:2
"Go out into the country ... and
urge anyone you find to come in,
so that My House will be full."
Luke 14:23
"So, warmly welcome each other
into the church, just as
has warmly welcomed you; then God
will be glorified.”
Rom. 15:7
3. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
· By
discovering my gifts and talents
· By
being equipped to serve
· By
developing a servant's heart
"Serve one another with the
particular gifts God has given
each of you ..."1 Peter 4:10
"God gave ... some to be pastors
and teachers to prepare
God's people for works of ministry,
so that the Body of
Christ may be built up ...” Eph.4:11-12
"Each of you should look not
only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be
the same as that of Jesus
Christ ... who took on the very
nature of a servant ... ” Phil 2:3-4,
7
4. I WILL SUPPORT THE LIFE OF MY CHURCH
· By
attending faithfully
· By
giving generously and cheerfully
·
By living a godly life
"Let us not give up the habit of
meeting together ... but
let us encourage one another.”
Heb. 10:25
“Remember this: Whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
"But whatever happens, make sure
that your everyday
life is worthy of the gospel of
Christ.” Phil. 1:27