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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: My view of Church Covenant I preface by saying we have neither had nor considered a church covenant. With that understanding I wish to make a comment. The idea of a covenant is to demonstrate to those desiring fellowship in a local church that there is an expectation of active involvement in the local body. The new person/family makes a definite statement that there is an understanding of responsibility to the saints. By affirming the covenant, one commits himself to the ministries, emphases, teachings, etc. of the body. One would say, "Shouldn't that be the case anyway?" Yes, absolutely. But the sad fact is that people don't for one reason or another. Steve |