A question recently arose about church membership: after salvation, is it necessary to belong to a congregation of believers? I have written this article to explore that question, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will deepen your understanding of the subject.
Now, what is Church?
To the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,their Lord and ours(1 Corinthians 1:2, NASB).
The Church is the body of believers throughout the world, Jews and Gentiles alike, who have placed their faith in Christ’s finished work on their behalf for salvation from sin and its penalty: eternal separation from God in the lake of fire. At the moment of an unbeliever responds to the the Gospel of Grace, the individual is instantly put or baptized into Christ and in union with all Saints. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit(1 Corinthians 12:13).This is what the Holy Spirit does with the soul of the believer upon believing the truth of the Gospel of Christ. There's the Universal Church, comprising all believers across the universe, then there's the local assemblies made up of believers in various geographical locations all over the world, with Christ being the overall Head of the Church. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22). The local assemblies are to be led by overseers, pastor/teachers.
QUALIFICATION FOR PASTOR/TEACHER
“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do”(1 Timothy 3:1). An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, [c]temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not [d]a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into [f]disgrace and the snare of the devil.( 1 Timothy 3: 2-7).
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PASTOR/TEACHER IN THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY
These are the responsibilities of the overseers / pastor/teachers in the local assemblies of the universal Church. The pastor/teacher leading the local Assembly must be an example, he must be able to teach, therefore, he must be trained by competent theological teachers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth(2 timothy 2: 15).Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [a]fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [b]with greed but with eagerness; nor yet as domineering over [c]those assigned to your care, but by [d]proving to be [e]examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [f]crown of glory(1 Peter 5:1-4).The brethren of the local church also have responsibilities to execute in the Church .
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRETHREN TOWARD THE PASTOR/TEACHER
And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches( Galatians 6:6). As the local brethren are blessed through the teaching- ministry of the pastor, it is their duty also to support him financially and in all good things. The pastor has needs to be supplied by God,and God wants to do that through faithful and matured brethren in the local Church. They must always pray for him, both are integral part of the ministry of Christ. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:11, if we have sowed Spiritual things in you,is it too much if we should reap materials things from you? … so also Lord the directed those who proclaim the Gospel to get their living from the Gospel.(1 Corinthians 9:15).
OBEY YOUR LEADERS
.Obey your leaders,and submit to them,for they keep watch over your souls ,as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy, and not with grief ,for this world be unprofitable for you (Hebrews 13:17).
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH
Christ established the church on earth to represent him to the fallen world, he wants to have " relationship" with fallen humanity through presentation of the "Grace Gospel".The church is to declare God's power to principalities both in heaven and on earth. Also it is responsibility of the Church to praise God, worship him speaking to one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Evangelization is also one of the activities the church must engage in. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,b aptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit;,this is the' Great Commission(Matthew 28:19-20). The Church is to Love, which is the 'Great commandments. A new commandment I give to you,that you love one another as I have love you (John 13:34). The church is the body that Christ wants to use after national Israel forfeited the opportunity of being used by God through unbelief and rejection of this divine offer! So instead of Israel, Christ is using the Church today on earth, the Church age will end with the rupture in future. Every believer is part of the church project ongoing, each believer has a gift given by Christ,and these gifts are to function and be used within the framework of the Church.
GIFTS
Now, there are varieties of gifts,but the same Spirit And there are varieties of ministries ,and the same Lord.And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons(1 Corinthians 12:4-5).
Finally, let's conclude on the subject of whether membership is essential. With the facts established so far, we can only conclude that membership to a particular grace- oriented Church is divine and biblical. In the mind of God after salvation one must identify with a particular church, with grace teachings, for the spiritual maturity of the individual saint. The gifts are given to the Church for the child of God to take advantage and be used by God. One may ask, will one lose his salvation if after salvation he decides not to belong to any local assembly? No, once a person is saved,Christ keeps his salvation, he is part of the royalty, he is part of the universal Church, but cannot be spiritually functional, he will lose so many blessings and benefits both in time and in eternity! The Bible does not encourage or advocate floating membership. One must belong to a particular assembly to learn the spiritual life. It is for his own advantage and benefits. Let us consider to stimulate one another to love and good deeds; and not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more,as you see the day drawing near( Hebrews 10:24-25).
I hope this helps you to make your decision, God bless you.