Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and
the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association
| End Time–The Solutions: Church of God - Membership in play download MP3 printer-friendly |
| Before we speak to membership in the church, we need to
define what a true Christian is. This from our doctrinal
statement on, "The
Christian": "A true Christian is one in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. His attitude of mind and behavior are consistent with the teachings and life of Jesus Christ; he follows God's way of life as expressed through His laws and respects his fellowman by being concerned with "giving" rather than "getting." A Christian strives for success in all areas of his active, abundant life." --end quote-- Now let us take a look at the primary statement from our doctrinal statement on the Church of God: "The Church is the spiritual body of Christ, a group of persons called out by God and impregnated with His Holy Spirit. As a spiritual body, the Church is made up of baptized, spirit filled individuals who are scattered around the world. As a physical, external organization, the Church has meeting places in many areas worldwide where members and non-members alike, as well as. children and guests, meet in harmony to worship God and to learn His Way under the guidance of an ordained minister as their spiritual elder and leader. The main commission of the Church is to preach the gospel as a witness to the world and to baptize and spiritually nurture those whom God has called." --end quote-- Further down in this same statement it says: "A number of metaphors or analogies are used by the Bible to clarify the organization of the Church and to explain the place of the members within it. 1 Corinthians 12 describes God's Church as a unified organism with the various members depicted as various parts of the body with various responsibilities, administrations and duties. Each member has an important contribution to the overall well-being of the whole body; each has his own unique part in enabling the whole body of the Church to accomplish its ultimate objectives. The Church is also referred to as a spiritual building (1 Corinthians 3:9-17) and as a family—the members being spiritually related one to another (Ephesians 3:15). They are called the siblings of Christ (Romans 8:29) who, as their elder brother, leads them and directs them in their way (Hebrews 2:10). "The Church is also pictured as Christ's bride. The members live in a state of expectation and preparation for the return of the divine bridegroom (Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 21:9). The bride is striving to prepare herself to be acceptable to Christ by the process of spiritual growth, in order to become perfect and to measure up to the full stature of the bridegroom, Christ. "Becoming a part of the Church of God is not an incidental matter. A person is first called of God (John 6:44), given an invitation as it were. Before accepting, Jesus said a person should "count the cost" (Luke 14:28), because the Christian life is often difficult. When a person accepts this calling, he must repent of his past sins and go through the ordinance of baptism by immersion. This symbolizes the washing away of all his past sins. Then, with the laying on of hands by the ministry, the person receives the begettal of the Holy Spirit. His covenant with God is now signed and sealed. At this point a person becomes a full-fledged member of the Church of God. He becomes a Christian, a "saint," a begotten child of God reserved for the resurrection." --end quote-- In other passages I have selected from this same statement: "The membership realizes that the purpose of the Church is for the preaching of the message and not merely for its own spiritual sustenance. The membership is wholeheartedly and enthusiastically behind this effort; indeed they recognize that the purpose for their own calling now is to help do the Work of God in addition to growing in their own Christian development." --end quote-- "Since the first qualification for being able to help others is for the individual himself to be a living success, the Church actively seeks to develop the potential of each member through nationwide programs for its adults and its youth. These programs are designed to aid each individual in sustained, personal growth and development so that all might better reflect God's way of life to those around them." --end quote-- Next, I want to look at the primary statement in our doctrinal statement, "Fellowship of the Brethren": "Fellowship is the religious interaction of church members among themselves and with God, a spiritual association through the Holy Spirit which transcends normal social or business relationships. Since this fellowship comes through being part of the body of Christ, it requires that one has repented, been baptized and, consequently, has received God's Holy Spirit. The fellowship of the brethren builds spiritual strength into both the individual and the Church as a whole. Conversely, the Church may exercise its right to disfellowship one who, by obvious attitude or action, opposes the gospel or causes disruption among the membership." --end quote-- Here are some more selected passages from this doctrinal statement: "It is important that the membership of God's Church meet together for spiritual purposes in order that the fabric of the Church and the spiritual state of the individual may be strengthened. The Church also encourages social fellowship among the members." --end quote-- "1 Corinthians 12 shows that God deals with His Church as a group in addition to dealing with the individual members separately." --end quote-- "The key principle concerning Church fellowship is to realize that such associations among brethren are through God and His Spirit. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3)." --end quote-- "The Bible lists many ways which Church fellowship benefits the individual. The stronger members are expected to help those newer or weaker in the faith." --end quote-- "...in the final analysis our fellowship is through God's Spirit. Only God can give His Holy Spirit or take it away, but continued fellowship as a member in God's Church requires at least that a certain standard be met. God's Church is made up of those individuals who are sincerely striving toward salvation, and are earnestly attempting to exhibit every possible fruit of God's Holy Spirit in their lives. As a result, the personal lives of its members generally reflect the proper attitudes of Christianity." --end quote-- "...since all are human and subject to sin, each member is subject to being overtaken by wrong attitudes, thoughts or influences that need to be overcome." --end quote-- Scriptures on Membership in the Church: Are we to do the will of God the Father? If we do, what does that make us? Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Does God have a plan for the called firstfruits now and ultimately the world in the Second Resurrection? Isaiah I44:1-5 (a prophecy speaking to the whole plan of God) 1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: 2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. 5 One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Does God bring forth a principle in the Old Testament that speaks to whom may be and who should not be in God's church? Ezekiel 44:6-9 6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, 7 In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. 8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. 9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. Is there any scripture that speaks to what our primary attitude or demeanor should be in the Church of God? Mark 10:13-15 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. The phrase here in verse 15, "Whosoever shall not receive" means, "Whosoever shall not manifest the spirit of a little child." ~Barnes Notes What is the base requirement for membership in God's Church? To what must members be connected? John 15:4-6 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Are members to gladly receive the Word of God? Acts 2:41, 47 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Do we see the Calling of God in the book of Acts? Acts 11:19-21 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. The phrase in verse 21, "And the hand of the Lord was with them" means "That God showed them favor, and evinced His power in the conversion of their hearers." ~Barnes Notes We see this again in Luke 1:66 Luke 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. Notice the commentary... The hand of the Lord was with him - The word “hand” is used to denote “aid, protection, favor.” We stretch out the hand to aid those whom we wish to help. The expression here means that God “aided” him, “protected” him, or showed him favor. Some think that these words are a part of the speech of the neighbors - “What manner of child shall this be? God is so evidently with him!” [See Psalm 80:17]~ Barnes Notes Since this study is about the end time with its problems an solutions, how are the members to be in this terrible time of tribulation? Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; This one scripture will give you a goodly amount of time in Bible Study. Here are scripture references to each of the three phrases in Romans 12:12:
Now that I am maturing as a Christian---no longer a
babe in Christ---am I to be invoking Godly principles [fruits
of the Spirit]? |
Portland, Oregon Church of God - part of The Intercontinental Church of God and The Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association - Tyler, Texas