Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Makarios | 32276 | ||
Greetings all! If we automatically become members of the body of Christ at salvation (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 1:23; 5:25), then what is "church membership?" If we are already members of the church (the body of Christ), as the Bible sees it (when we become saved), then why do some churches have a "Church Covenant"? For instance, I attend a Conservative Mennonite/Anabaptist church, where I had to agree to a "Church Covenant" in order to be a member of that church. I already fulfilled and continue to fulfill all of the obligations of the Covenant (obligations including 'short hair' for men, the wearing of the veil for women) just by being who I am. So there is no problem whatsoever for me in fulfilling any of the points in the "Covenant." However, my question is: is it entirely Biblical for a church to make the acceptance of a "Church Covenant" a requirement for membership in their congregation in the first place? Thank you in advance for your answers! |
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2 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Hank | 32326 | ||
Makarios, I could write a book on this subject but will restrain myself. (1) We don't "join" Christ's church; He adds us to His body, the church (Acts 2:47) (2) "Church membership" in the sense that we use it in today's society doesn't have to mean anything more than that we have our name on some church roll. We can make a career of "joining" churches and hold "membership" in every other church in town and still be as lost as a blind goose in an Alaskan white-out. (3) We can make a "covenant" and agree to wear a tuxedo and combat boots to worship service, but what does that have to do with our salvation or our effectiveness in leading others to the Shepherd? ..... No, no -- no covenant deals with any denomination for me. I agree with Norrie: too legalistic. Jesus called me and saved me by grace through faith. He added me to His body, the church. Why should I make any side agreement with any denomination that sets up its own rules for "membership?" My salvation is a gift of God, not a reward for adhering to someone's covenantal requirements. In the denomination with which I am affiliated, the Southern Baptist Convention, a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is all that is required. To require anything more, such as length of hair, dress codes, et cetera, I personally view as my business and would call it by its Greek name, "balonai." In Arkansas we translate it "baloney." :-) --Hank | ||||||
3 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Makarios | 32352 | ||
Thank you Hank and Norrie! I sincerely appreciate your input and I will continue to see just where the Lord continues to lead me. I have felt lately that the Lord is leading me again, but this time towards a more "broader perspective", rather than that "leading" of last year, which was towards "holiness." I will not immediately change the attendance of which church that I go to, but I will keep in mind where the Lord is leading me. Up to this point, I have obtained a good standing and excellent report with the Anabaptist/Conservative Mennonite congregation, and they all like me! :-) But again, it was the Lord's leading that brought me to them, and I feel as if the Lord may be leading me elsewhere now.. But I never do these kind of things in haste! I will continue to dwell upon the Scriptures and seek the Lord's counsel. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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4 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Hank | 32355 | ||
And I earnestly pray, Makarios, that the Lord will indeed be your counsel and guide. The thoughts I expressed in my former post were, admittedly, my subjective feelings about the topic based on my understanding of what church membership really involves and who really makes the real decision of who "qualifies" for membership in Christ's church. I do trust that not anything I said about it serves in any way to dampen your zeal for the Lord. This is far, far from my intent. --Hank | ||||||
5 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Makarios | 32362 | ||
Greetings, my friend! Please rest assured that my zeal remains intact! :-) You have been both a source of wisdom and encouragement to me, my friend, and you have said nothing that dampens my zeal. Blessings to you! Makarios |
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