1. Local Church Membership A Christian’s Responsibility to the Local Church Universal Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47, 41, 38 Local (congregation) 16 mentioned in the New Testament

2. Must every Christian be a member of a Local Church? Peter: apostle, elder & local church member 1 Peter 5:1-4 – The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder & a witness of the sufferings of Christ, & also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 & when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

3. Saul: new Christian & local church member Acts 9:25-28 – And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join [to glue or cement together, to unite, to join firmly together] the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, & did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him & brought him to the apostles…. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in & going out.

4. Why must a Christian be a member of a Local Church? For Mutual Edification: Acts 2:42-46 – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine & fellowship, in the breaking of bread, & in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, & many wonders & signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, & had all things in common, 45 & sold their possessions & goods, & divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, & breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness & simplicity of heart, “Considering one another in order to stir up love & good works …exhorting one another” Hebrews 10:25

5. Why must a Christian be a member of a Local Church? For Disciplinary Reasons: –G–God has prescribed discipline in every facet of our lives: Governments (Romans 13:1ff) Home (Ephesians 6:1-2)

6. For Disciplinary Reasons: 1 Cor 5:4-5, 7, 11, 13 – In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 7 Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump. 11 [Do] not to keep company with…a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. 13 Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, & scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6

7. Why must a Christian be a member of a Local Church? For A Testimony To The World: John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

8. For A Testimony To The World: John 17:20-21 – I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, & I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

9. Why must a Christian be a member of a Local Church? For A Testimony To The World: 1 Cor 1:10 – Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, & that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind & in the same judgment. Jesus commands Christians to promote unity in doctrine & practice within the local church

10. For Every Christian to join to a local church Colossians 2:1-2 “hearts encouraged, being knit together in love” Ephesians 4:16 “the whole body, joined & knit together by what every joint supplies” 1 Corinthians 12:20-27 “Now you are the body of Christ, & members individually”

11. “added to the church” Believe the good news about Jesus Christ John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:10 Repent or turn from your sins Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess your faith in Christ Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10 Be immersed in water Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10