• The purpose of local church membership, continued:
    • Each member has equal obligation in these things with all other members, according to ability.
      • One member is as obligated to attend all assemblies as another.
      • One member is as obligated to give as prospered as another.
      • One member is as obligated to restore the erring as another.
      • In short, each member is to serve in the assigned things to the extent of his ability.
    • Who is really in the local fellowship?
      • Those who have joined the disciples in a locality (Acts 9:26).
      • Those who have partnership in the things of Christ with other disciples in the local church.
      • Negatively: Those who cease to function in the local fellowship are failing in their purpose; thus, if such will not repent and go to work, there is no reason to consider them members of the local church.
    • Local church to control its fellowship:
      • Local church membership is dependent on two things:
        • The desire of a member to work and worship with a specific group of saints.
        • The willingness of the local church to have a member in its fellowship (Acts 9:26).
      • The local church can refuse one membership (Acts 9:26)
      • The local church can remove one from its fellowship (I Corinthians 5:4-5)
      • The local church is to control and keep its fellowship pure (I Corinthians 5:4-7)
    • Action of members toward one who has been refused fellowship:
      • Can have no spiritual fellowship with him; he is in darkness (II Corinthians 6:14-18)
      • Can have no company, social concourse, with him (I Thessalonians 3:14; I Corinthians 5:11)
      • The faithful are to admonish him as a brother, i.e., as you would a brother (II Thessalonians 3:15)