Anchor said:What are the Scripture principles that would indicate formal membership in a local assembly as opposed to simple attendance at a local assembly?
Anchor said:What are the Scripture principles that would indicate formal membership in a local assembly as opposed to simple attendance at a local assembly?
Ransom said:Anchor said:What are the Scripture principles that would indicate formal membership in a local assembly as opposed to simple attendance at a local assembly?
The necessity of church discipline.
Walt said:Ransom said:Anchor said:What are the Scripture principles that would indicate formal membership in a local assembly as opposed to simple attendance at a local assembly?
The necessity of church discipline.
Good point.
I personally think it happened as soon as there was not "the church" in any given city/area. Once there were multiple churches, there was a necessity for people to identify with the church they attended.
Twisted said:None of that requires "formal membership".
Ransom said:Twisted said:None of that requires "formal membership".
And how does one administer church discipline without it? If there is no acknowledgement that a church attendee, who has been caught in sin, has any accountability to the church or its elders?
Twisted said:You're thinking like a 20/21st century American/Canadian.
Think like a first century believer.
Ransom said:The early church had a catechizing process for new converts that went on for years before they were even permitted to be baptized. So "think like a first-century believer" doesn't help your case. They knew who their membership was by virtue of having thoroughly instructed them.
So never mind the red herrings. Answer my question. How is church discipline administered if the sinner has no accountability to the church or its elders?
Twisted said:Wow, whoever you're reading is obviously not scriptural. There's no example of that in the NT.
Depending on location, they didn't have multiple house assemblies, so if you were expelled for discipline, everyone would know it. That's the whole purpose. Today you just run off to another church, and join by "statement of faith".
Ransom said:You aren't making your case; you're proving mine.
Twisted said:Only in your own mind. Enjoy the company.