Practical Membership

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:11-21.

Memory Verse: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Introduction: Both the Gospels and the Acts imply that there was some definite evidence of belonging to the Church. Believers were numbered and accounted for. Otherwise, how did they know who were "added" to them or not? In other words, there was a visible and practical expression of Church membership and identification. It was not enough to belong to "the Church invisible and mystical" but it was practically expressed by belonging to "the Church local and visible."
  On the Day of Pentecost, the first 3,000 converts were "added to them" (i.e., The 120 disciples, Acts 2:41), and "added to the Church" (Acts 2:47). They became identified with the Church at Jerusalem, the Church in that city and locality (taken from The Church in the New Testament, Kevin Connor, [Portland, OR, Bible Temple Publishing] p. 59).
  Throughout the New Testament, we see a practical expression of membership. Jesus chose 12 apostles, named and numbered in the Scriptures (Luke 9:1,2). Later, He chose seventy others to serve as disciples (Luke 10:12). Over 500 saw Christ as He ascended from earth to be with the Father (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). Before Pentecost, 120 gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:15). There were 3,000 added to the Church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41,47) and 5,000 added shortly thereafter (Acts 4:4). From these references, it can be seen there were approximately 10,000 believers formally recognized as part of the New Testament Church. In fact, history tells us there were over 1 million Christians which escaped from Jerusalem before the siege in AD 70. (It is interesting to note history does not record one Christian dying during that siege.)
  It is important to remember a man must first belong to the Lord and then to a local congregation. If it does not take place in this order, a member of a local church will not be recognized by the Father as a member of Christ's body.
  In God's mind, the mandates in Acts 2:37,38 have never changed. Evidence of church membership was, and should continue to be, tangible and visible.

Lesson Questions:

1. Did Jesus and the early church account for those who identified themselves with Christ? Luke 9:1,2; 10:12; Acts 1:15; 2:41,47; 4:4; 6:7;
John 10:3,14.

2. Did Israel maintain records on the numbers of their people? Numbers 1:1-4; 3:14-16; Exodus 30:11-16; Ezra 2:61-63; Nehemiah 7:5-7.

3. What scriptural precedent is given for a local church to confirm each local believer involved with that fellowship? Acts 14:21-23; 18:23; 15:32;
2 Corinthians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 1:6-8; Isaiah 35:3,4.
Webster defines the word "confirm" to mean "to make firm, or firmer, to strengthen; to establish; to encourage; to make certain; to give new assurance of truth; to verify; to ratify; as to confirm an agreement, promise, covenant, or title." The United States Senate confirms or rejects the appointments brought before it by the President. The Bible gives the word several meanings: to fill, accomplish, to strengthen, establish, fix, prepare, prevail, encourage; to ratify, make authoritative, to interpose; to make firm, make secure.

4. What are some of the blessings of practical church membership?
  Security of God-appointed covering--Hebrews 12:7,17.
  Impartiality--Galatians 3:28,29.
  Strength of Leadership--Ephesians 4:11-13,16.
  Mutual Support--1 Corinthians 12:25-31.
  Blessing in the Gathering--Isaiah 65:8-10.
  Fellowship of the Communion Table--1 Corinthians 10:17.
  Diversities of Gifts Working in Harmony--Romans 12:4-8.
  Exhortation--Hebrews 10:24,25.

5. How important is sound doctrine in maintaining a strong local church? 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 16:5-12; Hebrews 6:1-3; 2 Peter 1:10-12, 19-21; Hebrews 4:12.

6. Why is it needful to establish fellowship with other believers consistently? 1 John 1:3-7; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9,10; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 5:19-21; John 13:34,35.

7. Discuss the sacredness and importance of Communion and footwashing. John 6:53-58; 13:34,35; Matthew 26:26-28.

8. How important is prayer to the church? Isaiah 56:7; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 29:12-14; Matthew 17:19-21; 21:22; John 15:7; Acts 4:24,31.