- 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)
- Local church membership is dependent on two things:
- 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)
- Each member has equal obligation in these things with all other members, according to ability.
JJ
November 25, 2015
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