“I Will Build My Church”

Key 6: MembershipActs 2:41-47

04/21/23 EBFC Sermon Series: “I Will Build My Church” 1

Membership

Membership

Membership

I. Basis for biblical membership

II. Biblical membership means:– Commitment– Responsibility– Salvation Affirmation

III. Biblical membership is meaningful

The ChurchThe Church is Universal and Particular

• Universal– ‘Belonging to the Lord’– All those persons, in every nation, who make a

profession of faith in Christ and yield to Him and His rule.

• Particular– ‘Assembly’ of professing believers in submission to

the Holy scriptures– For divine worship, godly living and evangelism.

04/21/23 EBFC Sermon Series: “I Will Build My Church” 5

I. Basis for Biblical MembershipActs 2:41-47 (NIV)

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I. Basis for Biblical Membership

• The church continued to grow numerically (Acts 4:4)

• Most references to the church in the New Testament describe it locally.

• Described as a local, living and loving collection of people who are committed to Christ and each other.

• Since we can be excluded, we must also be able to be included. (1 Cor 5:1-2)

II. Biblical Membership means…

A. Commitment (Heb 10:23-25)– Involved or Committed?

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

II. Biblical Membership means…

B. Responsibility (1 John 3:18)– To one another

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

II. Biblical Membership means…

C. Salvation Affirmation (1 John 2:19)– Progression not Perfection

19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

III. Biblical Membership is Meaningful

Membership Class

Faith & Order

• Qualifications and Duties of Church Membership. (202-3)– 202-3.1 Qualifications. Anyone desiring to

be a member of the BFC shall give testimony and evidence of faith in Christ and the new birth. He shall be in sympathy with the F&O, be baptized by immersion subsequent to salvation, and manifest holiness toward God and separation from the world. (Acts 2:41-47)

Faith & Order

202-3.2 Duties:

1. To live in keeping with the standards of the church as found in our Faith and Order (John 17:15-17)

2. To use your spiritual gifts and talents within the body (Eph. 4:11-16, Rom. 12:3-8)

3. To minister under the direction of the church. (Hebrews 13:7)

4. To bear the message of the church to the outside world. (Acts 1:8)

5. To pray for your church family and its ministries. (Rom. 10:1)

Faith & Order (cont.)202-3.2 Duties:

6. To support the church financially. (1 Cor. 9:13,14)7. To submit to the Elders as God given authorities in the

church. (Heb. 13:17) 8. To attend faithfully the church meetings. (Hebrews

10:25)9. To observe the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.

(1 Cor. 11:23-28) 10. To show care and concern for other members of the

church. (John 13:34,35)

In short, become a vital part of a team that wants to love God while loving others!

Application

• Non-members:– Prayerfully consider committing to membership.– Speak with Pastor Dick Bickings or any Pastor/Elder.– Membership Class coming in October.

• Members:– Continue to participate in the joy of membership.– Prayerfully consider your commitment and

responsibilities to your fellow members.– (#8) Come to the Midyear Congregational Meeting

tonight: Potluck dinner 5:00-6:00, Meeting 6:00-7:30.