Why Church Membership?

Everton Park - 7 April 2013 am

The Duties and Privileges of Church Membership
#1 - Why Church Membership?

Matthew 18:10-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Six reasons some are sceptical of the notion of church membership:

1. Why the Church?
   a) What is the Church ?

   • Matthew 16:13-18
   • Matthew 18:15-20
     b) The Marks of the Church
   • Doctrine
   • Discipline
   • Distribution

2. Why Membership?
   Church membership is everywhere assumed:
   a) Jesus in Matthew chs 16, 18
   b) Jesus in Revelation chs 2, 3
   c) The Book of Acts
   d) The Epistles

   • Addressed to churches
   • Teaching about the church
     e) Evangelism in Matthew 28:18-20
     f) Authority in the Church
   • eg. Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Acts 20: 28
     g) Choosing those in Authority in the Church
   • Elders: 1 Timothy ch 3, Titus ch 1,
   • Deacons: 1 Timothy ch 3, Acts ch 6
     h) Discipline in the Church
   • Matthew ch 18
   • 1 Corinthians ch 5, 2 Thessalonians ch 3

3. How Membership?

   • Covenant membership and baptism: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

   • Covenant membership and the Lord’s Supper: 1 Corinthians 10:17

   • Covenant fellowship with God, Christ… and “us” in the church: 1 John 1:3

   • Vows for Becoming a Member of this Church