Antioch Acts 131 Corinth 1 Cor 12 Cenchrea Rom 161 Philippi Phil 11 Ephesus Rev 21 Smyrna Rev 28 Pergamos Rev 212 Thyatira Rev 218 Sardis ID: 749566
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Local Churches Rom. 16:16" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Local ChurchesRom. 16:16
Antioch (Acts 13:1) Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2) Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1) Philippi (Phil. 1:1) Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) Smyrna (Rev. 2:8) Pergamos (Rev. 2:12) Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) Sardis (Rev. 3:1) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7) Laodicea (Rev. 3:14) Thessalonica (1 Th 1:1) Crete (Titus 1:5) Iconium (Acts 14:23) Derbe (Acts 14:23) Lystra (Acts 14:23)Slide2
New Testament ChristiansJoined ThemselvesWith Local Churches
Acts 2:42-47 Acts 9:26-28 Acts 11:25-26 Rom. 16:1Slide3
Some Christians
Act As IfThe LocalChurch IsNot Important No obligations Never be a member
Wander from one to anotherSlide4
Three Questions
:Is there such a thing as local church membership?What are my responsibilities as a member?Can one worship in an imperfect congregation?Slide5
The Local Church
& My ResponsibilityMembershipSlide6
Membership Is Necessary Without it - No local congregation If one does not need be a member – No one needs to be a member! For elders to have oversight (Acts 20:28) To carry out discipline (1 Cor. 5)MembershipSlide7
Membership Is Necessary Examples: Paul (Acts 9:26-28) Apollos (Acts 18:27) Phebe (Rom. 16:1-2)MembershipSlide8
Membership Is Necessary Examples Accepting & Rejecting MembersChurches have a right & duty toaccept & reject membersMembershipSlide9
Accepting & Rejecting
Not arbitrary (3 John) Must be based upon - walking according to word 1 Cor. 5:1-13 2 Thess. 3:6-14Slide10
Acts 9:26-28
26 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. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
“join”
“identify”
“placing membership”
}
Would not accept
just any one
Gathered information from the person & others
Accepted & ActiveSlide11
Accepting & Rejecting
Not arbitrary (3 John) Must be based upon - walking according to word 1 Cor. 5:1-13 2 Thess. 3:6-14 Not accept just anyone (Acts 9:26-28) Right & responsibility to ask & know (Acts 9:26-28)Slide12
The Local Church
& My ResponsibilityMembershipResponsibilitySlide13
My Faithful AttendanceChristians assembled together (Acts 4:31; 11:26; 14:27; 20:7-8; 1 Cor. 5:4; 11:17-18; 14:23, 26).We are to assemble (Heb. 10:25).What faithful attendance is NOT:Attending Sunday morning only
Attending more than I am absentAttending only when there is no conflictResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide14
My Financial SupportThe church has financial obligations to meetMet by offerings of its members (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide15
My Financial SupportDivine principles regulating such:I am to give (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7)Give weekly (1 Cor. 16:2) Give as prospered (1 Cor. 16:2)Give bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6)Give as purposed (2 Cor. 9:7)
Give sacrificially (2 Sam. 24:24; Mk. 12:41-44)Give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7)ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide16
My Good InfluenceWe are saints (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 5:3).Influence passages:Matthew 5:13-16Philippians 2:152 Corinthians 3:21 Timothy 4:12
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide17
My Involvement In Its WorkThe Lord has always had work for His people to doAs the vineyard of the Lord, the church is a workplace (Mt. 20:1)Ephesians 4:161 Corinthians 15:58Work harmoniously (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 12)
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide18
My Participation In Its WorshipJohn 4:24Not a spectator sportEvery member is to be a participant (Active / not passive)Each one is to sing (Eph. 5:19)
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide19
My Care And Concern1 Corinthians 12:25Too many are indifferent & apathetic (Lam. 1:12; Lk. 10:30-32)Be concerned and show your care!
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide20
Help Restore the ErringAll who are spiritual – seek the one taken in fault (Gal. 6:1)Support disciplinary action (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3)
ResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide21
My Faithful AttendanceMy Financial SupportMy Good InfluenceMy Involvement In Its WorkMy Participation In Its WorshipMy Care And Concern
Help Restore the ErringResponsibilityWhat I Owe the Local ChurchSlide22
The Local Church
& My ResponsibilityMembershipResponsibilityChoosingSlide23
We all doOne any of us are in now is imperfectIf decides to go – it will be imperfectIf decides to stay – it will be imperfect
“All churches have problem” – is like “all marriages have problems”Some minor issues –Some on verge of coming apart - ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide24
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Question: what about worshiping with churches that:Liberal / institutional practices?Unscriptural elders?Fellowship those continue in sin?
ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide25
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)?Practice – makes me participate?Instrument in assembly?
Hum during worship?Support out of treasury? (Org / Error)Fellowship in sin (Eph. 5:11)?ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide26
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)?Practice – makes me participate?Individual matters?
Some go into military, war, police officer?Covering issueNothing is bound upon meExample: Issues of Rom. 14ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide27
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)?Practice – makes me participate?Individual matters?
Will I be in fellowship with sin?Does the church accept anyone?Does the church accept adulterers?Does the church accept without correction?Does the church practice discipline?ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide28
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)?Practice – makes me participate?Individual matters?
Will I be in fellowship with sin?Qual. of elders: principle or degree of application?“Apt to teach” – can’t teach / or degree?“Husband one wife” – not married / or remarried after wife died?“Faithful children” – none faithful /or part?ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide29
We all doPrinciples to answer the Q:Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)?Practice – makes me participate?Individual matters?
Will I be in fellowship with sin?Qual. of elders: principle or degree of application?My personal spiritual welfare?Where I am now – what future?Where I might go – what future?ChoosingCan I worship in an Imperfect church?Slide30
The Local Church
& My ResponsibilityMembershipResponsibilityChoosingSlide31
Conclusion Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25).
He shed His blood to purchase it (Acts 20:28). I should feel a sense of obligation to it!