September 26, 1999 Humble Messenger

"Placing Membership"
Is it scriptural?

What was Paul wanting to do in Jerusalem? "And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple." (Acts 9:26, NKJV [italics mine, srf]). "Member" means, "4. One that belongs to a group or an organization." American Heritage Dictionary. "Place" as a verb can mean, "1 a) to put in a particular . . . relation." Webster's New World Dictionary. Did Paul try to enter into a relationship with that group of disciples? Did he want to "put" himself  "in the particular relation" of  "belonging to" that "group"? Could it be said he attempted to "place membership" with the church in Jerusalem?

How did the members of that church react to his attempt? Did they welcome into their group? Evidently, being "afraid of him" and not "believing he was a disciple" necessitated Barnabas interposing with his testimony confirming that he was indeed a disciple of Christ (v. 27). Following that, "he went in and out among them in Jerusalem" (v. 28, NRSV).

Paul was not the last one to receive a testimony of recommendation that brethren might welcome one who desired to into their fellowship.

When Apollos "desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him" (Acts 18:27, NKJV [italics mine, srf]). Did the church in Achaia have the choice NOT to "receive him" into their group? Evidently! Just as the church in Jerusalem did not welcome Paul into their fellowship at first, so the church in Achaia may not have welcomed Apollos.
Both the church in Jerusalem and in Achaia had some choice about who "placed membership." The church is a group of "saints"‹people set apart for God by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ: "to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling . . . " (1 Cor. 1:2, NASB [italics mine, srf]). If a church is convinced a person is not a saint, they may refuse membership.

Once a person has "placed membership," should that person cease to live according to the moral spiritual norm of one sanctified in Christ, a church may‹no, they should‹sever membership with that person. "But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler‹not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." (1 Cor. 5:11-13, NASB [italics mine, srf]. He needs to understand, and all need to understand that he is no longer a "part" ("member") of the group (church). This is for his own good‹ "that his spirit may be saved" (1 Co. 5:5)‹and for the church's good‹"a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough" (1 Co. 5:6, NASB).

Why place membership with a church?

The purpose of a church in a community is the mutual encouragement and edification of its members: "not forsaking our own assembling together...but encouraging one another" (Heb. 10:25); "teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Col. 3:16); "you come together...for the better" (1 Co. 11:17‹i.e. the                  Continued on page two . . .
Continued from page one . . .
result of coming together should be that we are made "better" or stronger spiritually. If one is a Christian, he shares that need to be encouraged. And, if he (or she) understands his responsibility, shares the goal of encouraging his fellow Christians.

"Placing membership" should be viewed as more than "putting one's name on the roll." It should be viewed as joining God's team of disciples in that community to work and worship together in the gospel of Jesus Christ: "with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27, NASB - italics mine, srf ["striving together" =    sunathleO, "acting as athletes in concert" Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, p. 296]). srf
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News of Interest
Jeff and Darla Ruddell, son and daughter-in-law of Judy Ruddell (proud grandmother, but don't forget the proud aunt, Amanda Ruddell), are the parents of a new son, Addison Allen Ruddell, born last Tuesday at Northeast Hospital,  weighing 7 lbs. 13 oz. . . . Randy and Robin Smith would like to make known their desire to work and worship with the church here. Randy was recently baptized into Christ. Though their mailing address is Conroe, they live near Porter. Their son is Randy Lamar. Address: 17190 Deep Woods Dr., Conroe, TX 77302. Phone: (281) 429-7753 . . . New report: James Wilson . . . Steve and Pat Fontenot will be out of town Wednesday. John Whitehead will teach the evening auditorium class . . . SELECTION OF ELDERS -- Since the work of an elder is voluntary (1 Pt. 5:2) and one must desire to serve in this role (1 Tim. 3:1), the elders suggested that men who thought they were qualified and willing to volunteer for service make that known. Four men, encouraged to do so by other members in the congregation, have made know their willingness to serve: Doug Bernard; Boyd Hurst; Gregg Hutson; Larry Legg. While this serves to give us a short list of men who may be qualified, it does not supplant the congregation's right and responsibility to select its leaders and representatives (Acts 6:3; 15:22; 1 Co. 16:3; 2 Co. 8:19). In fact, these men put forth their names at the encouragement of different members who talked with them. Are there others you would like to see consider the work? If so, either encourage him to do so or mention his name to the elders so they can discuss it with him. Please accomplish this this week. We have extended this process beyond what was originally set forth in order to be sure the congregation has every opportunity to be involved in selecting its elders. Please be aware this does not mean these men have been appointed as elders. That will depend on further action by the congregation and will be addressed later.
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SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday, Sep. 29
Song Leader:

Sunday AM, Oct. 3
Announcements:  John Whitehead
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Gregg Hutson
Lord's Table:
Bread: Gary Tuttle
Fruit of  the Vine: Eddie Crain
Contribution: David Dickey
Assistant: Mark Schindler
Closing Prayer: Bill Faulkner

Sunday PM, Oct. 3
Song Leader: Craig Ottersbach
First Prayer: Doug Bernard
Lord's Table:
Bread: Jim Crain
Fruit of the Vine: Kris Emerson
Contribution: Michael Gove
Closing Prayer: David Dickey