Bible Question: 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? |
Bible Answer: The example the the bible gives us shows that members of the body(church of Christ Roms. 16:16, Eph. 1:22-23) were in different locations. Ie. church at Ephesus(Eph.1:1), church of the Thessalonians (Thes.1:1) at Corith (I Cor. 1:2)etc. Which denotes membership at local areas. We see the importance of this by the examples of when it was necessary for them to: work together (I Corithians 16:1) know one another(1Thes.5:12) to encourage (Heb. 10:25) etc. Members of the church of christ (1 Corithians 12:12-14) are indeed one because of the doctrine of christ and following the word as it is written. (2John 9, Rev. 22:18-19)The importance of membership at a local congregation comes from the example the bible gives. |