What does it mean to be a Church member?
What is required of those who join a local Church in covenant church membership?
Perhaps you’ve never asked yourself those questions, or maybe you’ve always assumed that belonging to a Church meant having your name on the roll and not much else.
But, Church Membership is far more than a name on a list, and this post will guide us in thinking through the tasks, responsibilities, duties, and commandments of being members of a local New Testament church.
Below you will find a condensed reproduction of John Owen’s book, The Duties of Christian Fellowship.
Church Members’ Responsibilities to Their Elders:
1 - Christians are to attend regularly, and to submit to, the preaching of the Word and admonishing of the ordinances committed to the pastor(s) by virtue of his ministerial office. They are to do this with a willing obedience to the Lord.
1 Cor. 4:1; 2 Cor. 5:18, 20; 2 Cor. 4:7; Gal. 4:14; 1 Thess. 3:14; Heb. 13:7, 17.
2 - The pastor’s way of life is to be observed and carefully followed, to the extent that he walks in the ways of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Heb. 13:7; 2 Thess. 3:7; Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim 4:12; 1 Pt. 5:3.
3 - Prayer is to be made continually on the pastor’s behalf so that he might receive help and success in the work that has been given to him.
Eph. 6:18-20; 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Col. 4:3; Acts 12:5.
4 - Christians are to uphold the pastor(s) in the greatest respect and to submit to him/them, for the work’s sake.
1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pt. 5:5; Heb. 13:17.
5 - The Church is required to support the pastor(s) and his family by supplying all their earthly needs, to the degree that is appropriate to the state and condition of the Church.
1 Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6:6-7; 1 Cor. 9:7, 9-11, 13-14; Mt. 10:9-10.
6 - The Church is to remain loyal to the pastor and to stay at his side in all trials and persecutions that may arise because of the Word of God.
2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Tim. 2:16-18.
7 - Christians, along with their families, must gather together as a congregation before the pastor at the times appointed by him.
Acts 14:27;
Church Members’ Responsibilities to One Another:
1 - Believers have a duty of affectionate, sincere, genuine love in all things towards one another; a love compared to that of Christ for His church.
John 15:12; 13:34-35; Rom. 13:8; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9; 1 Pt. 1:22; 1 Jn 4:21
2 - Believers must maintain continual prayer for the prospering of the church under God’s protection.
Ps. 122:6; Phil. 1:4-5; Rom. 1:9-10; Acts 12:5; Isa. 62:6-7.
3 - Believers must strive and fight with determination, in every legitimate way, by their actions and sufferings, for the purity of the ordinances, for the honor, liberty, and privileges of the congregation, and in order to help others in the face of all opponents and adversaries.
Jude 3; Heb 12:3-4; 1 Jn 3:16; Gal. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:23; Song of Songs 6:4
4 - Believers must maintain an unfailing care and effort to preserve unity, both in general and in particular.
Phil. 2:1-3; Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Rom. 14:19; 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 6:5-7.
5 - Believers are to separate and keep apart from the world, and from the men of the world in all their ways of false worship, so that we are seen to be a different people.
Hum. 23:9; Jn 15:19; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:8; 2 Tim. 3:5; Hosa 4:15; Rev. 18:4.
6 - Believers should engage in frequent spiritual conversation for edification, according to the measure of their gifts.
Mal. 3:16; Job 2:11; Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6; Eph. 5:4; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb 3:13; Jude 20; Heb. 10:24-25
7 - Believers must bear with one another’s infirmities, weaknesses, sensitivities and failings, in meekness, patience and pity, and providing help and assistance.
Eph. 4:32; Mt. 18:21-22; Mk. 11:25-26; Rom. 14:13; 15:1-2; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Gal. 6:1; Col. 3:12-14.
8 - Believers must support one another, tenderly and affectionately, in their various circumstances and conditions—bearing one another's burdens.
Gal. 6:2; Heb. 13:3; 1 Cor. 12:25-36; 2 Cor. 11:29; James 1:27; Mt. 25:35-36; 2 Tim. 1:16-17; Acts 20:35.
9 - Believers are voluntarily to contribute and share in the temporal; things with those who are truly poor, in a way that is suitable to their necessities, wants, and afflictions.
1 Jn 3:17-18; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:5-7; Rom. 12:13; Gal. 6:10; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Heb 13:16; Lev. 25:35; Mt. 25:34-36.
10 - Believers ought to note watchfully and avoid carefully all causes and causers of divisions; they are particularly to shun seducers, false teachers and those who spread heresies and errors that are contrary to the Word of God.
Rom. 16:17-18; Mt. 24:4-5; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:16-17; Titus 3:9-11; 1 Jn 2:18-19; 4:1; 2 Jn 10-11; Acts 20:29-31; Rev. 2:14-16.
11 - Believers should cheerfully accept the lot and portion of the whole church, in prosperity and affliction, and not draw back for any reason whatever.
Mt. 13:20-21; Heb. 10:23-25, 32-39; 2 Tim. 4:10, 16.
12 - In Church affairs, believers must not discriminate between persons but condescend to the weakest brother and perform the least service, for the good of fellow believers.
Jmes 2:1-6; Mt. 20:26-27; Rm 12:16; Jn 13:12-16.
13 - If any member is in distress, persecution, or affliction the whole church is to be humbled, and to be earnest in prayer on his behalf.
Acts 12:5, 7, 12; Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:26-27; 2 Thess. 3:1-2.
14 - Believers must watch one another’s behavior carefully and warn one another to avoid all disorderly conduct. If any offending member will not accept such warning, their case must be brought to the church.
Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:12-13; Heb. 10:24-25; 12:13, 15-16; Lev. 19:17; 2 Thess. 3:15; Rom. 15:14; James 5:19-20.
15 - Believers should live and walk in an exemplary way in all holiness and godliness, to the glory of the gospel, the edification of the church, and the conviction of those outside the church.
Ps. 24:3-4; Mt. 5:15, 20; 21:19; 2 Tim 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; Eph. 4:21-23; 1 Pt. 3:1-2; Heb. 12:14.
Being a church member is far more than having your name on a roll. It means being an active part of a living community. May God grant us faithfulness in His Churches.
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