Concerning Joining In to the Church
It seemed good, in light of Jason and Eva’s desire, to write a word concerning joining the Lord’s church. This is an anticipated and happy event to say the least. It is always a blessing when the Lord adds to His church. We are convinced, as hearts are knit together, that there will be mutual benefit to all from this step of faith they are taking. But my purpose for these words is more in regards to the subject of “joining a church.” Paul attempted to “join himself to the disciples in Jerusalem” while at another time no one “dared join himself to them.” (Acts 5:13; 9:26). We live in a day, brethren, when joining a church formally seems to have fallen by the wayside. At least it has been relegated to not important status. You can take it or leave it today. Now I must concede two things. At times too much is made out of membership. America is full of people who think church membership makes them a Christian or helps get them to heaven. Hardly. Sitting in a garage doesn’t make a man a mechanic so sitting in a church doesn’t, in any way, make a person a believer. Further, that a formal membership can be proven or demanded that it is commanded would be going a little too far. We are exhorted to believe on the Lord Jesus. We are told to go and baptize. The net result is the assumption believers will join/be added/be with/continue with the church. There is no blueprint for how to join or be added or to be with the church. New membership classes, voting them in, or public confessions are not discussed. For years we had no formal membership process, but over time we have moved to a method that we think at least works to establish the believers relationship to the church. We know people joined the Lord’s church (Acts 5:13)- however that was done. We know some didn’t join it (Acts 5:13). We know all believers did join with believers (Acts 5:14). We know this was the desired thing to do (Acts 9:26), and we know it involved specifics: in Acts 2:41-47 they were saved, baptized faithful to being taught, fellowshipping, remembering the Lord and praying together. In Acts 5:13, there was a stigma that came with being part of the church; in Acts 9:26 there was willingness, scrutiny and perception. Read Galatians 2:9 and Acts 16:15 where they perceived the grace of God in the one wanting to join with them and they judged them to have believed the Gospel. So in all this we can see some formality in people joining into the church. They did more than just walk in the door. They were added to them. It could be arguably said this was done via baptism, although I tend to stop a little short of this. They made it plain and it was made plain they were part of them; however this was done.
Having said all this, let it be a word of exhortation to all and any who believe the Gospel to do likewise. Our method here is simple, yet public, making plain the one being added is joining in with the church. We try to perceive the grace of God and to judge the matter. Having done that, we have you publicly make your desire known. It is a good thing to join the church. It is a big thing in the Bible to be plainly part of the church. No, it won’t save you nor make you spiritual. Neither will being part of a family make you grown up or mature. But it is good to be part of a family. So likewise it is good and exemplified to be part of the church. For any who linger in this regard, having made sure you are born again, join in with us. Take that step of faith. Yes, you will be more accountable, no doubt. But you will also be more blessed and see an increasing life of fruit that remains to the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ.