PLACING MEMBERSHIP
                                                       by Lee Moses
Sometimes questions arise as to whether it is scripturally necessary, or even scripturally permissible, to “place membership” with a congregation. A modern brother or sister may raise the objection: “I’m a member of the church of Christ, and that’s good enough for me.” What this person means is: “I am a member of the universal church of Christ, but I have no interest in serving in a local congregation.” Others seem to believe that placing membership is a denominational concept, rather than a Scriptural concept. However, the term simply means to identify oneself with a local congregation.

Please consider a few reasons why it is both Scripturally permissible and Scripturally necessary to place membership with a faithful church of Christ after leaving another.

Each Christian Is a Member of a Congregation

In the New Testament, each first-century Christian is understood to be a member of a particular congregation. The New Testament does speak of the universal church of Christ, into which the Lord adds the saved when they are baptized (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23). However, far and away, the New Testament most often uses “church” to refer to the local congregation (Acts 14:27; 20:17; Romans 16:1, 23).

Paul wrote to the “saints which are at Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1). Here it is expressed that he wrote to “saints,” or Christians – but were they not saints who were members of the local church at Ephesus? He wrote “unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:2). “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:1). Whether Paul addressed “the saints at [whatever location]” or “the church at [whatever location],” he was addressing the same group.

Each Christian Is to Function in the Church

Members are responsible to function within the body (Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:16), and the body functions within each local congregation. There is no larger organizational structure of the church (compare with Philippians 1:1). If we do not function within a local church, we do not function within the church at all.

Each Christian Is to Submit to the Elders

Christians have the responsibility to submit to local leadership, while each eldership has the responsibility to oversee the flock they are among (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2). If one never submits to an eldership, he never complies with his responsibility to submit to an eldership, and he hinders elders from performing their responsibility to oversee the flock.

Each Christian Identified with a Local Congregation

After Saul was converted and returned to Jerusalem, he knew he had to identify himself with the congregation there. This is why “he assayed to join himself to the disciples” there (Acts 9:26). There is no difference between this and what is sometimes called “placing membership.” If Saul saw the need to identify himself with a faithful congregation where he was living, why would we not have the same need? If one lives in an area where there are no faithful congregations, placing membership is obviously not an option. In such instances, one should again do what the first century Christians did, and establish congregations in those areas (compare with Acts 8:4ff; 11:19-21). Otherwise, placing membership is both scripturally permissible and scripturally necessary. 

Why Should We Care About Conduct?

by David Dann

The apostle Peter writes of the relationship between the Christian, his conduct, and his Heavenly Father in the following manner: “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Pet. 1:15-17, NKJV).

Conduct has to do with one’s behavior and manner of life. Why should we care about our conduct? In answer to that question, please notice the instruction provided in the first letter of the apostle Peter concerning the importance of godly conduct. The right kind of behavior on the part of a child of God will:

1. Lead others to glorify God. Peter writes, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet. 2:11-12). Godly conduct is not intended to glorify the Christian, but is instead intended to bring glory to the Lord, who has instructed the Christian to behave in an honorable manner. As Jesus put it, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Godly conduct can lead even those of the world to glorify God.

2. Silence those who are foolish. When it comes to submitting to the civil ordinances of man, Peter writes, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Pet. 2:15). The world is filled with foolish people who blaspheme the Lord and who seek to constantly point out what they perceive to be flaws and hypocrisy in the actions of the Lord’s people. But godly conduct on the part of the Christian can silence even the most foolish critics.

3. Win unfaithful mates to Christ. With regard to the marriage relationship, Peter writes, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Pet. 3:1-2). While angry outbursts and malicious behavior will alienate husbands and wives from one another and from the Lord, godly conduct can serve as a powerful influence when it comes to winning one’s mate to the Lord.

4. Cause the enemies of righteousness to be ashamed. Peter writes, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Pet. 3:15-16). Since we refuse to approve of those things which the word of God condemns, followers of Christ are often branded by the world as being hateful, mean-spirited, or intolerant. But godly conduct on the part of the child of God can serve to put to shame those who would disparage and malign His people.

Conclusion: Since the Lord is coming in judgment and will destroy the present world, Peter asks, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Pet. 3:11-12). How is your conduct?