Is church membership biblical?

Next translated offering from Ayuda Pastoral (Help for Pastors):

Is it right to have a system of local church membership?   What principles are there for a balanced view of such a membership?

The New Testament does not give us detailed information about local church practices.   We don’t know the times and forms of services nor what were the customs about admitting someone to church membership or even if such a list existed.   These things need to be worked out in our own context.  However there are some biblical principles involved:

There existed a system of recognizing church members.  Passages which deal with church discipline show that there was a way of knowing who belonged to the church (Matt. 18:17;  3 Jn.  1:10).  Of the 75 uses of the word “church” in the New Testament,   most refer to a local one with people recognized as belonging to it.

Basic knowledge about Christ was required for membership.   For example the Phillipian jailor was taught simple Christian truths by Paul before he was baptized  (Acts 16.32).    This basic teaching was sufficient for him to become a Christian and so a member of the church.  See also  Matt.  16:16-18;  1 Jn.  4:2.

Faith in Christ is essential.   Paul says that it is necessary to confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts to be saved (Rom. 10:9).    So it is insufficient simple to know information about Jesus,  the person must trust in him as their saviour.  See also  Jn.  20:31;  Heb.  11:6.

Christian behaviour shows the validity of faith in Christ.    A person might claim to be a Christian, but how is it to be know if they are genuine?    Jesus said that by a person’s fruit,   or conduct,  sincere Christianity is shown  (Matt.  7:19-21).  People’s lives indicate that they are Christ’s and so privileged to be part his body,  the church  (1 Cor.  1:2:  Jn. 15:1-5).

Day out in Stratford-upon-Avon

Christian view of Facebook

Next entry on Ayuda Pastoral is:

What biblical principles would you recommend to a pastor or church leader to instruct their congregation about a Christian approach to the use of social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace?

Social networking sites are a gift from the Lord.

God is our creator and the maker of what we see around us.  We benefit from nature, music,  technology and the social networking sites on the internet.  As Paul comments,   "All things are yours" (1Cor. 3:21) and we can freely enjoy them.

Beware,  there are dangers

Paul also warns that dangers exist even amongst legitimate things in the world,  "'I have the right to do anything,' you say--but not everything is beneficial" (1Cor.  6:12).     

• Being robbed of time.  Time flies when we are in front of the computer,   and unfortunately it can be time badly used.  In contrast to that the Bible says that we should make  "the most of every opportunity because the days are evil" (Eph 5:16)
• Being deceived.  The nature of Satan is that of a deceiver:   "that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Rev 12:9  cf.  Gen.  3:1-7).   He's active on the Internet and it is possible for Christians to be deceived on social networking sites.   Care is needed,   especially in dealing with members of the opposite sex.

There's an even better social network!

At times the apostles had to write to those whom they did not know personally (cf.  Rom. 1:10).   But they realized that the best form of relationship was not a long distance one,  but a personal encounter.  So John says,  "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2Jo 1:12  cf.  3 Jn 1:13, 14;  Rom.  15:23,24,28).  The better way for social networking is through Starbucks rather than Facebook.

Lenzie, Perth and Aberdeen

Early morning,  Lenzie

Midday,  Perth

Afternoon,  Aberdeen coast

Evening,  Para Handy,  His Majesty´s Theatre,  Aberdeen

What an interesting life,  Lord,  thank you

Addicted to pornography?

Recently the Spanish website Ayuda Pastoral (Pastoral Help) started up a weekly problem solving column. They give you a maximum of 300 words to respond to an issue and you must be biblical.

This week's was: What steps would you recommend to a church leader or pastor to free someone addicted to pornography. 

And my tuppence worth ...

1. Convince the person that pornography is sin

Matt. 5:28; Rom. 1:27; Col. 3:25

Within marriage sex is a gift of God and a blessing. Outside of it:  a disaster. Even though someone is a Christian, if they do not remain faithful in their living,   potentially their end will be catastrophic, as in the case of Judas.

2. Persuade the him or her to repent

Mark 1:15; Rev. 2:5

The tense of the verbs in Mark 1:15 implies a continual sense. We believe and keep on believing. We repent and keep on repenting. Faith and repentance are not just conversion experiences, they are for the rest of the Christian life.

3. Explain they must leave off pornography

Col. 3:5; 2 Tim 2.22, Eph 4.22, 25, 27

Paul uses phrases such as "run away from" or "put to death". To do this it is necessary to remove yourself from the opportunity of seeing pornography or even thinking of it. It implies not logging on to the computer if that is the source of temptation or blocking adult TV channels.

4. Help the person to replace it with what is good

Eph 4:24; Col 3:10,14; Phil. 4:8

The thinking of the apostle is that of an exchange: putting off the old nature and putting on the new. Leaving aside the pornography and replacing it with Christ. Instead of thinking about the immoral,  thinking about the word. Practice what is good rather than licencious (Phil. 4:8). And if this becomes your practice,  in time you´ll beat the addiction and gain a far, far better life..