Victory Baptist Church
Why go to church? Why be a church member?
Today some people maintain that Christ is their Lord and Savior but do not attend church, or, they attend but do not have interest in joining. The number of people that favor these positions is growing. The reasons may include electronic access to biblical teaching and preaching, residual disdain from a bad church experience, or simply believing that God doesn't mind it if one prefers to do something else. When we read the Word of God we see that God's plan is for His people to gather together and be members of that body. The following is biblical proof for this fact:
1) We Christians are commanded to gather together. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2) We are commanded to obey human, Christian authorities, and be accountable in a church system. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 1Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 1Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
3) The Bible anticipates that all believers are to be members of a church. 1Corinthains_12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. // Furthermore the bible does not delineate or address Christians that are operating outside of a church. While some New Testament books/letters were not to a specific church (rather, to be passed among several churches), it's clear that the intended audience is church members (the afore referenced letter to the Hebrews is a prime example).
4) Paul's missionary practice was church planting. While this is sometimes contested the fact is that where Paul went to preach the gospel people became organized into churches, churches that he later visited and wrote to.
5) The proper use of spiritual gifts is to edify the church. A spiritual gift doesn't do much good if the person that has it doesn't attend, or isn't a member of a church. Likewise a Christian will not benefit/grow from the spiritual gifts of others if they do not assemble together. Christians that attend church but are not members consistently benefit from the church but offer no such benefit to it, or it's mission. 1Corinthains 14:12 // Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
6) The church is God's program. It was founded by God/Jesus for the accomplishment of the Great Commission, the edification and thence the sanctification of believers, and fellowship among Christians. Matthew_16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. // There are some that claim that they evangelize, grow spiritually, and have beneficial relationships with Christians without church and/or membership. The question that they need to answer is: Is their plan for spiritual growth and service better than Jesus'? Furthermore there is no concession given in the bible for not being a church member.
There are sincere reasons and concerns that keep people from attending church assembly and becoming a member, some include: church hurt, wolves in sheep's clothing, tares (weeds) among the wheat, bad doctrine, and bad practices. In fact, the church in Corinth (see 1st and 2nd Corinthians) dealt with all of these things. Through Apostle Paul, God gave instruction on how that church should be changed for the better. God has a plan for your spiritual growth and service for His Kingdom, and it involves a church.
Finally, I would ask the person that claims Christ but does not attend church if there is any desire for, or pleasure in, Christian fellowship within them? Apostle Paul spoke of the fellowship of the Spirit and bowels of mercies between church members. Paul always had a heartfelt greeting and farewell, even mentioning specific people by name in his epistles. He spoke of the “right hand of fellowship”. Can you truly say that you love God's people? Jesus loved the church enough to die for it (Ephesians 5:25). We should love Jesus enough to follow His plan.
In case you are looking to become a member of a church, here are three scriptural avenues. First, there is baptism. People in the Bible were received into the church after baptism (Acts 2:41). A person should only be baptized once after they have truly been saved, so it is not the only way to join a church. Next, is the moving of your letter. This letter is somewhat non-existent tangibly speaking as most people don't have a letter until they leave a church for another one. The practice was started in the early churches and it's purpose was to ensure the church that new servants or messengers being sent were trustworthy and Christians indeed (2 Corinthians 3:1). Finally, there is the method of statement of faith (Acts 9 – Paul attempted to be joined to the church in Jerusalem like this, but, wound up needing Barnabas to vouch for him as they feared who Paul used to be). This is what it all boils down to as baptism and letters are statements of faith.
-- Pastor George Scruggs, Jr.
