Doctrines the Apostles did not Teach | Articles of Faith | CafeLogos.org
I have a friend who was attending a church in her neighborhood in Los Angeles. She was enjoying the services there until she was excluded from partaking in Communion with them because she was not a member of the church. Apparently being a member of the Body of Christ was not enough. My friend was extremely hurt and upset. She refused to be manipulated into joining their “club,” and she left that church and never returned.
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Church Membership
The Apostles did not teach that church membership was required in order to partake in Communion. In fact, the Apostles did not teach the concept of church membership at all. It would actually contradict what was taught regarding the Body of Christ.
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; - Ephesians 4:4
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.- Romans 12:5
For the body is not one member, but many. – I Corinthians 12:14
Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. – Ephesians 1:23
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. – Ephesians 5:30
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. – Colossians 1:18
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? – I Corinthians 10:16
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. – I Corinthians 10:17
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.- I Corinthians 12:12
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit – I Corinthians 12:13
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and you be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
In view of the apostle’s teaching, Christians are to see themselves as one unified body of Christ, thus rendering membership in any one particular church as technically unbiblical.
No one should ever be pressured or manipulated into church membership. Those who promote church membership in their churches should examine their motives. Are they interested in building God’s kingdom - or their own?
Copyright 2024 by H.D. Shively