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NASB | Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]. |
Bible Question:
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! |
Bible Answer: 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 |