By Pastor Dan
Although the term “Church membership” is not present in the NT the principle of membership is clearly displayed through the use of analogies of the church, the practice of church discipline, enrollment, and leadership accountability.
Analogies of the Church
Paul describes the church in terms of a communal entity made up of “members.”
Rom 12:5 - so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (ESV)
Eph 2:19 - So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. (NLT)
Practice of Church Discipline
The command to practice church discipline is given on several occasions. The only way to do this practice is for there to be a clear concept of who’s in and who’s out.
Matt 18:17 - If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
1 Cor 5:4-5 - 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Member Enrollment
The NT gives several examples of the church keep track of their rosters. The fact that they were counting their numbers, and had a system of enrollment are evidence of church membership. (9 Marks, Is Church Membership Biblical - Matt Chandler)
Acts 2:41 - Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
1 Tim 5:9 - No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
Leadership Accountability
Church leaders are warned as having to give account for their members. In turn, members are also expected to submit to their leaders. In order for this to happen, there must be a clear connection of who is “theirs.”
Heb 13:17 - Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
What about membership class?
It depends on the cultural context (Rediscovering Church Membership).
In a smaller church setting that has consistent people, and has security threats from persecution, a class may not be necessary, but could be replaced through relationships and conversations with elders.
In a Larger church setting, where the people are transient, it is more efficient and effective to have a class setting to vet and onboard multiple people at once.