4 thoughts on “Does a Christian have to join a Church?”

1. With all due respect,

   I hope this doesn’t affend any one, but…

   Is he implying that to join a church is the same thing as membership?

   If so, Church membership is a church tradition and there is no scriptual support for church membership as it is today.

   In Acts when Luke said that 3000 were added to the church, that is all he meant, he did not imply that the 3000 signed membership cards and Peter did not send them to a membership class.

   I’m sorry, one thing I dislike are christians trying to force other christians to do or follow something that is not in the bible through peer pressure or any other means.

2. Troy,

   I used to believe as you do but over time saw the sheer the weight of evidence of the New Testament that the Church did indeed have a form of membership.

   Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

   This verse can only be implemented if:

   (1) the believers knows the identity of the leaders that they should submit to

   (2) the elders know exactly who they are accountable for.

   For this to happen implies church membership – the people belong to a local church with elders in place and all know who are a part.

3. Yes, I agree with you.

   All that you mention can be done with out me signing an agreement to pledge my loyalty to one said church.

   I’m not talking about Christians who wonder around going to different churches all the time.

   I’m talking about people like me who have made a commitment and am being submissive and accountable to fellow Christians and the leadership of the elders with out taking an oath or pledge to said commitment, which is most often man centered.

   I adhere to Hebrews 13:17 based on the fact that I’m part of the family of God and there by subjected to Gods Authority who tells me to be submitted to the elders above me, not because I signed some membership card but because God commands it by the position and authority He has put the elders in and the relationship all Christians have with one another.

4. Signing a card is not the issue, it is having a humble, teachable spirit and submitting to godly leadership (as long as it maintains biblical theology, standards and practices) on a local level.. I am not sure how all that can happen without the person and the leaders knowing it, and they knowing they are accountable to watch over your soul – hence, though you may baulk at this, this speaks very clearly of some kind of formal membership – where everyone is sure regarding who are a part of the local church and who the leaders are that are being submitted to and who it is they are charged with leading. More on this here: http://effectualgrace.com/2011/07/08/is-church-membership-biblical/