Of the Church, Paragraphs 12 & 13

Church Membership: Commitment and Accountability

Main Idea

The main idea of today's study is that church membership involves both commitment and accountability. God commands us to be part of a local church and to hold ourselves accountable within that community.

Memory Verse

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

Paragraph 12 Overview

Paragraph 12 emphasizes the obligation of believers to join local churches when possible. It discusses the concept of the "invisible church" (the universal body of Christ) versus the "visible church" (local congregations). The expectation is that being part of the invisible church necessitates joining a visible church, where believers can fulfill their commitments to one another.

Reasons for Joining a Local Church

• Commitment and Submission: New Testament epistles assume that believers are committed to and submitted to their local church body.
• One Another Verses: There are over 50 "one another" commands in the New Testament that require a community to fulfill.
• Authority of the Church: The church has authority to guide and discipline its members, which is essential for spiritual growth.

Paragraph 13 Overview

Paragraph 13 addresses how church members should handle offenses. It instructs members who have been offended not to disrupt church activities or withdraw from the community. Instead, they should look to Christ and trust in the church's actions.

Handling Offenses in the Church

• Do Not Disrupt: Members should not create discord or gossip about their grievances.
• Maintain Unity: The focus should be on preserving the unity of the church and the glory of Christ.
• Look to Christ: Trust in God's sovereignty and the church's authority in resolving conflicts.

Application

• Commit to a local church to fulfill your obligations as a believer.
• Engage in the community to build relationships and support one another.
• Practice humility and patience when addressing conflicts within the church.
• Seek to maintain the unity of the church above personal grievances.
• Trust in Christ's authority and the church's governance in all matters.

Scripture References

• Hebrews 13:17
• Matthew 18:15-17
• Ephesians 4:2-3
• 1 Corinthians 6:7-10