## Church Membership

## Acts 9:19-29

Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

I believe it is clear in the Bible that there is a body of Christ which is a spiritual organism. Every Christian becomes a part of it when he is baptized by the Spirit into that body (1 Cor. 12:13). He does not join it by conscious choice. He becomes a part of it by the operation of God when he is saved.

I believe it is ALSO clear in the Bible that there are local churches, which are local organizations. Every Christian in the Bible CHOSE, as Paul did in our text, to join himself to that local church. Tonight I want to give you some thoughts on why it is important that a believer be a part of a local N.T. Baptist church.

I. For Identification

Acts 9:28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

A. It identifies the doctrine we hold as Baptists.

1. We may not all believe exactly alike here, but we are Bible-believing independent Baptists.

2. We believe the Bible is God's perfect, pure, powerful, preserved word.

3. We believe in salvation by grace, not of works.

4. We believe that a child of God should be involved in serving the Lord and seeking to win the lost.

5. We believe that Jesus is coming soon.

B. There is nothing wrong with being identified.

1. Now more than ever before, our personal I.D. is important.

2. At the hospital they have gone to photo I.D. badges for all ministers. 3. No more generic identities, they want to know exactly who we are.

C. This is not really new.

1. Football players (and often the fans) are identified by his team. (try wearing black and gold around the IU teams)

2. A person in the military is identified by his uniform, and that reveals much about them.

3. Even an employee is identified by his company.

4. Why shouldn't a Christian be willing to be identified by his local church?

5. Some would say that we should be called 'Baptist' we should just be called Christians, but you wouldn't want that at the pharmacy!

II. For Instruction

(Eph 4:11-12) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

A. As pastor, I am instructed to feed the flock.

(1 Pet 5:2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

B. As pastor, I am also charged to be a leader and to set a path for all to follow.

(1 Pet 5:3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

C. As pastor, I am to watch over the flock and offer protection.

(Heb 13:17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

III. For Influence

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A. An influence upon the lost

1. When you win someone to Christ, you will want to get them in church.

2. That is going to be an uncomfortable task, if you don't belong to one.

3. Your witness will lose its strength.

B. An influence upon those around you.

1. People in your family know if you are committed to your church or not.

2. Your neighbors know if you are a faithful member of a local church.

3. Co-workers pick up on whether your church is important to you as well.

C. An influence upon lands far away

1. Local churches send forth missionaries

2. Local churches support missionaries

3. Where else can you have a world-wide influence for Christ?

IV. For Involvement

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

A. In the church's worship and praise of the Savior

B. In the church's edification of the saints

(Heb 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

C. In the church's evangelistic efforts to reach our community for Christ.

I have yet to meet a person who was really concerned for reaching others who wasn't a faithful member of a local church. As a matter of personal experience, I haven't met any Christian who really made much of an impact for the Lord who wasn't a faithful member of a local church.

1. For Identification
2. For Instruction
3. For Influence
4. For Involvement