Taking the Church Captive to the Mind of Christ

Formal membership in the local church is debated among Christians. On the one side are those who contend that the Bible doesn't mention - and therefore doesn't acknowledge - church membership. Others oppose membership on the ground that it argues against the universality of Christ's Body. On the other side are those who insist upon the biblicity and vital importance of church membership - some to the extent that formal membership is held as necessary to obtaining full fellowship rights in a church and even access to the communion table. But what does the Scripture really teach about church membership, and how are believers to understand the issue in the light of what it means to be a Christian and a part of Christ's Church?