• When one obeys the gospel, he is added by the Lord to the church (Acts 2:47). He is then a “lively stone” in the “whole building fitly framed together unto an holy temply in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21).
  • By what procedure does on become a member of a local church?
    • Acts 9:26-28 – Paul had to join himself to the local fellowship.
  • What is the purpose of local church membership?
    • The local membership is God’s arrangement for the saved in an area to work and worship together and to build each other up.
    • One can worship God on his own, but it is much easier with others there to encourage each other.
    • The local church is to support preaching, both at home and in other places.
  • Who is really in the local fellowship?
    • Those who have joined themselves to the local fellowship and are working with their fellow Christians in the work of the Lord.
  • Is a local church to control its fellowship?
    • Yes. A local church must remove those who are in sin and will not repent.
  • What is to be the action of members toward one who has been refused fellowship?
    • I Corinthians 5; II Corinthians 2; 7 – He must be delivered to Satan. Fellowship and social company are to be severed.
  • When a member insists upon having “company” with one who has been disciplined, what action is the church to take?
    • Admonish them and if they will not repent, sever fellowship with them also.