The Bible Has The Answer by Henry M. Morris & Martin E. Clark

Author:Henry M. Morris & Martin E. Clark [Morris, Henry M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: RELIGION / Christian Theology / Apologetics
ISBN: 9781614582120
Publisher: Master Books
Published: 1976-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

CHURCH QUESTIONS

1. Question: “Should a church have membership requirements?”

Answer: Becoming a Christian in New Testament times often brought persecution, exile, or death. Yet so marvelous was the transforming grace of salvation that those early Christians willingly endured the wrath of mighty nations, often writing the Church’s history with their own blood. Though in those days identification with the local church brought trial and deprivation, the New Testament never entertains the idea of an obedient Christian who is not joined to the local body of believers.

In succeeding centuries, western civilization has both legalized and acculturated the Christian Church so that today church membership often means no more than membership in any civic organization. Too often churches have encouraged this trend, sacrificing biblical distinctives for popular acceptance. The church that follows biblical instructions, however, has both a right and a responsibility to limit its membership.

Salvation through personal faith in Jesus Christ must precede church membership. The day the Church was born, Peter preached repentance and faith, and those who had “received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). While only God can truly discern what is in human hearts, the Church should guard the biblical concept of a born-again membership, for God adds to the Church only those who are saved.

Baptism, which follows salvation, also precedes church membership (Acts 2:41). Since baptism demonstrates one’s obedience to Christ, those unwilling to submit to the ordinance exclude themselves from church membership. The Greek word for “church” literally means “the called out ones,” signifying the stark separation that has already occurred between them and the unsaved world. One who has not responded to God’s call to leave his life of unbelief is hardly a fit candidate for the “Body of Christ” or the “Bride of Christ,” both of which terms are used to describe the true church (1 Corinthians 12:27; Revelation 21:2).

History has unfortunately shown incorrect types of membership limitations. The Scripture nowhere supports, for instance, exclusion from membership because of race or socio-economic status, though these are still practiced in both direct and de facto forms. In fact, the Apostle Paul taught that racial and national differences are irrelevant within the Body of Christ (Galatians 3:26–28; Colossians 3:11). Also, the attempt to limit membership because “a small church is better than a large church” is totally without scriptural support and may be a subtle excuse for laziness.

All who are genuinely born again are members of the Body of Christ, though they may differ in God-given gifts, talents, and ministries (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). Should anyone, then, who professes to be saved be automatically admitted to church membership? The Bible reveals there are other criteria.

Christ built the New Testament Church on the inspired teachings of His Apostles (Matthew 16:15–18; Ephesians 2:19–22), and it was “the Apostles’ doctrine,” along with fellowship, communion, and prayer that banded the early disciples together into a viable and visible organization (Acts 2:42).

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