Subject: Church membership...a requirement? |
Bible Note: Good, sound post, Doc. I've been a follower of Christ, i.e., a Christian for well over 50 years and never been quite able to understand the thinking of anyone who claims to be a Christian but refuses to tie himself to the church, the body of Christ. My analogy may be corny and simplistic, but for me to say that I am a Christian and refuse to affiliate myself to the church, for whose life the Lord gave His, is unthinkable. It's like saying that I am a citizen of the United States but refusing to obey its laws, to pledge allegiance to its flag or to honor the Constitution upon which it was founded and according to which it is governed. ..... Speaking of the very early days of the church, Scripture says, "And the LORD ADDED to the CHURCH daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:27, emphasis mine). Salvation is God's sovereign work. God Himself adds the regenerate to the church, the body of Christ. Scripture does not teach that church membership is an option for God's elect. It is thus quite impossible to be among Christ's redeemed without being a member of His body, the church, since Scripture plainly states that it is God who adds to the church those who are being saved. --Hank |