The New Testament contains at least five strands of evidence for local church membership. Each one reveals something vital to Christian Faith which would be minimized or denied if there were no definable local church membership.
1. DISCIPLINE
Church membership is implied by the way the church is supposed to discipline its members. The church appears to be the final court of appeal in matters of church authority as it relates to membership.
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 1 Timothy 5:19-21 ESV
If there is no such thing as church membership, how do we define the group of people who will take up this extremely delicate and important matter of exhorting those who are unrepentant and finally rendering a righteous judgment about their standing in Christian community? It’s hard to believe that just anyone who shows up claiming to be a Christian should be a part of this process. Surely, “the church” must be a definable group in order to handle such weighty matters so that we know who the Scripture is referencing when it says “take it to the church.”
2. EXCOMMUNICATION
Church membership is implied by the simple fact that excommunication even exists. Paul implies this in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 where he deals with the necessity of putting someone out of the church. He says, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:18-20 ESV
There are two significant implications here: One is that there is an “in the church” group and an “outside the church” group. Being in the church is definable. The other implication is that a person can be removed from being “in the church.” Such a formal removal would not be possible if there were no such thing as a clear membership. The question is, who is an accountable part of this body, and who is not?
3. SUBMISSION
Church membership is implied in the biblical requirement of all Christians to be submitted to a group of church leaders, elders, or pastors. Without church membership, who is it that the New Testament is referring to who must submit to a specific group of leaders? Some form of expressed willingness, agreement, or covenant has to precede a person’s submission to a group of leaders.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 ESV
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
How is this leadership and submission going to work if there is no official membership set in place to define who has made the commitment to be led and who has been chosen to lead? If we neglect the importance of membership, it is difficult to see how we could take these commandments seriously and obey them practically.
4. SHEPHERDING
Church membership is implied in the way the New Testament requires elders to care for the flock in their charge. Obviously, elders can extend their focus and care to anyone within the limits of their ability. However, the question is whether or not the Bible gives elders a special responsibility to care for a specific group or community of people.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28 ESV
2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV
These verses do not say elders cannot invest in unbelievers or those who are not yet church members, but it does make clear that their first responsibility is to a particular flock. So how do elders know who their flock is? Who are pastors responsible for? For whom will we give an account to God? If a person does not want to be the special focus of the care of a group of elders they will resist the idea of church membership. And by doing so, they will resist God’s appointed way for them to be spiritually sustained and flourish in their faith.
5. BODY
Church membership is implied in the metaphor of the body of Christ.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 ESV
There is a unity and organic relationship implied in the imagery of the body. There is something unnatural about a Christian attaching himself to a body of believers and not choosing to be a functioning member of that body. It is also important to note that this is the context where church leaders are recognized, developed, and appointed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Becoming a part of a church is first and foremost a covenant with God. It is to commit to being a genuine and passionate disciple of Jesus. Discipleship requires context. Just as fish require water and plants require soil, so a disciple of Jesus requires the context of the local church. Therefore, a person’s commitment to a local church is always first a commitment to Jesus as one of his followers.
Many people view churches as an unnecessary, or even manipulative, institution not particularly valuable for spiritual growth or personal well-being. This mindset has only increased in our post-modern and post-Christian society. Because of this, joining a church is one of the most counter-cultural things a person can do. Becoming a church member means leaving behind the comfort of individualism and voluntarily allowing yourself to be bound to others. We do this because Jesus joyfully left behind his comfort and bound himself to us.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 ESV
