Church Membership
Many people believe that it is unnecessary to be a member of the church in order to please God and eventually go to heaven. The people who advocate this idea have apparently failed to examine the teaching of the Bible on the subject or they would not make that claim. As one searches the Written Word of God it soon becomes apparent that God is the builder of the church of Christ (i.e., it is referred to as the Body of Christ, Acts 2:47). Once a person realizes this fact it is utter foolishness to continue to advocate the concept that membership in the church is unnecessary. Please observe that without being a member of the church of Christ a person deprives themselves of a proper relationship with Christ.
BODY:
1. Jesus built the church,
Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (KJV)
2. Jesus cleansed the church,
Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
3. Jesus purchased the church with His blood,
Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (KJV)
4. Jesus washed the church,
Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
5. Jesus loves the church,
Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (KJV)
7. Jesus sanctified the church,
Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
8. Jesus is the foundation of the church,
Colossians 1:18, “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.” (KJV)
9. Jesus glorified the church,
Ephesians 5:27, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (KJV)
10. Jesus is head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:22-23, “22 and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.”
11. Jesus adds all the saved to the church,
Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (KJV)
12. Jesus will save all that belong to the church,
Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” (KJV)
CONCLUSION:
How can a person suggest that membership in the church is unnecessary after examining the twelve points that we have provided above? It is evident that no one will be saved in the last day that is not a member of the church for which Jesus died. Since the day of Pentecost (i.e., Acts 2:12-47 — the establishment of the church), no one will make it on that last day without being faithful servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ, cf., John 12:48.