Results 1 - 8 of 8
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | forever_prophet | 123114 | ||
Where does the modern day notion of church membership come from? Where is the scriptural derivation of such a practice? We, who have accepted God's salvation through Christ Jesus are already a members of the body and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. So why is membership to a local "cell" stressed so? | ||||||
2 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | Edd | 123146 | ||
I would like to share this with you. Lately I have not attended Church services on a regular basic, fed up with hoopla without the power of God, all talk and no action, congregations condemnation without biblical support, Church house full of converts whom have establish their own righteousness’ omitting the righteousness of God, and Preachers who will not preach to then or us the word of God, spending hours talking about worldly circumstance, situation and events; instead of preaching the word of God, which deliver my soul every time I hear it, read it or see it’s manifestations. However, it has saddened me to witness these LACK OF occurrences in some of our local churches houses. Nevertheless, God is not finished with the restoration of our soul. When Jesus said it is finished he was referring to his works on the cross, as it pertains to our salvation and this is not to say that my works in the body of Christ finished are I would already be with the dead in Christ. Therefore, God has helps me to enter the church. In this case the church building which is somewhat different than the actual church as in the body of Christ. So, I drag my self through the front doors of church building, praising God with hope for change soon to come, before I waste away in some powerless assembly calling it’s self a local church,Oh lord My God Please help us and have mercy . Here is a testimony, last weekend we went camping, route to campsite I noticed a church building, on Sunday I went and attended the service. The word of God was powerful the Preach readied scriptures straight-out the bible, it really touch my heart made me all watery eyed. At the end of Service communion was severed. One of the brothering invited me to participate in the Lord’s Supper. So, with the smell camping on my body, and wooly hair, I must have looked as thought I lived in the forest, because I didn’t look like any one else in the congregation, but I was having holy communion with my brothers and sister in a far away place. It seem as thought the congregation did not even notice my outward appearance. All the time while attending the church services, I had not spoken one word. After the service were completed, and we were exiting the building, one of the brothering greeted me and said "do I Know you from some where" he implied, Seen you at a health club or somewhere; as he was trying to place me, I answered him, No! "This is my first time visiting this area, but I do have a health club membership but don’t use it" at that very moment, as I spoke these words to the gentleman, the spirit of God spoke to me and said "you have a membership in the body of Christ and you don’t use it." I believe that God wants us to use our Church membership; it’s benefits and privileges. It is something special that people of God have and the world do not have. For the saint of God to have such asset, connection to the throng of God and not to use it, is the same as to not have such saving grace at all. We are then viewed and having allowed ourselves to become just as the people of the world, with no difference in _______________. |
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3 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | jalanlambert | 123148 | ||
Everything you have spoken of is true. We do have Church membership, and afforded the privilege of sharing Our Lord with other brothers and sisters in Christ any where we gather. However I don't believe there is a need for me to put my name on some Church roster to access all the privileges you speak of. The welcome you recieved from the church you visited came not because you had a membership card, or paid dues. You were welcomed by the body of Christ because of the common bond, which is the love for God. Jal | ||||||
4 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 123156 | ||
Of course, it could be asked that if Christian believers did not support the local church and pay their "dues," as you put it, how long would there be such an organism as the local church? And what impact would a total lack of local churches have on Christianity? It is one thing to theorize about the efficacy of belonging to a local church, but it is quite another to cast aside theories and get down to the practical brass tacks and go to work in earnest in Christ's vineyard. There is, after all, a down-to-earth, practical, everyday-toil-and-sweat, dues-paying aspect of Christ's church. They paid their dues in Apostolic times and we must pay ours now. There is no substitute for support of the local church. --Hank | ||||||
5 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | jalanlambert | 123245 | ||
I support the local church, however, not because of the church orginization, but because of my committment to God and His work being accomplished there. I agree with the function of the local church, just not a need for membership. God does not need your money. He is able to acomplish His will with the use of believers committed to Him and His will, not because of some membership that says I am something. Many people give to the church as a means of satisfying themselves and God, not out of committment to God. I say to them keep your money, God will do just fine without it. We have been brainwashed in this society to believe that God needs us. We are the ones in need, and when we really understand this we will do Gods will no matter what our circumstances are. And church membership is not a requirement. Jal | ||||||
6 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | kalos | 123258 | ||
Show me the evidence! What Bible references support your opinions? Every time you submit a posting, you agree to the following: "To adhere to StudyBibleForum's intended purpose, please read the following before submitting a post: "1. This post is biblically based and whenever possible, I have included Bible references to support it." |
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7 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | jalanlambert | 123271 | ||
kalos, I will agree with the scripture you have posted, and the others posted on this thread regarding the believer being a member of the body of Christ. ( 1st Corinthians 6:15 )However, I believe we are members of the body of Christ when we are saved from our sins. Kalos, show me how you transition from being a member of the body of Christ to being a member of a local church. Also, my intention is not to do harm to this forum, but to learn. I learn best when I am shown concrete, not abstract. If Gods Word in the Greek refers to my being a member of the local assembly as opposed to being a member of Christ please show me. I would like to learn this principle if it is true. If you refer to the early church as being members, show me how that membership is different than being a member of the body of Christ. And what are it's qualifications, and how do they differ from our being members of the body of Christ. I am not the enemy kalos only trying to learn. Jal | ||||||
8 | Where does membership come from? | NT general Archive 1 | Rowdy | 123274 | ||
If I might interject here, the best scripture I can think of is from Peter as follows 1 Pet 5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10But may[4] the God of all grace, who called us[5] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. This should be clear enough without any comment from anyone, least of all, me. God bless. --Rowdy |
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