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| February, 2006 |
| Church Membership: Biblical or of the Devil? |
| Or Maybe Somewhere In Between? |
| Posted by Charlie Trimm at 2/2/2006 3:48:00 PM (2 comments left) |
| Adam and I got into a debate in class the other day about church membership, so I thought we could spill it over into the blog. I'll present a little about my side, and Adam can add in his side. To state my position up front: I do not think church membership is biblically commanded or necessary, however it is a good idea for American churches. |
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There are several texts that could support membership, but they are all weak in my opinion. These are from Dr. Jacobson's notes. 1. "Added to their number:" Acts 2:41, etc This is a figure of speech and should not be taken literally. 2. Widows on the church list: 1 Timothy 5:9 I grant that there was a list for widows. But there is a huge jump from this to a general church membership. 3. Church discipline and actions of the church: 1 Corinthians 5:13, 2 Corinthians 2:6,7 Comments about the "majority" do not need to imply an official list. I think that church membership is a wise idea for our culture, and if I was going to start a church, I would include church membership. But I would place it in the same category as having a church building: the early Christians wouldn't know what you were talking about. I think a church does not need a formal list of members, but could operate very well with only an informal knowledge of who was part of the assembly, and I think that this is how the early church operated. But that's just my opinion. |