9. How important is church membership?

Church membership is important to us because it is important to Jesus! In fact, Scriptures represent the church as a bride and the Lord as the bridegroom (Hosea 2:19; 2 Corinthians 11:2). Christ’s love for the church is so deep that He “gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). God intends to sanctify and cleanse the church by His Word (Ephesians 5:26). He wants to prepare the church to be His bride—“a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but…holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). JTL23 11.1

Just as a new-born baby thrives in the care of a loving family, so the newly baptized believer thrives in the care, fellowship, and instruction of a loving church family. The book of Acts reminds us that the believers who responded to the call to repent and be baptized were “added to the church,” (Acts 2:41, 47 NKJV), not left to flounder alone. JTL23 11.2

As children of the heavenly Father (Galatians 3:26-4:7), they now belonged to the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). The beauty of church membership is not merely socialization with fellow believers, but genuine connection with God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:3). The church belongs to Christ because He redeemed it and “purchased [it] with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). JTL23 11.3

When Paul was converted, God put him in touch with His visible church. Today, God also leads His people into His visible church, characterized by loyalty to all of God’s commandments and demonstrating the faith of Jesus, so they may participate in finishing His mission on earth (Revelation 14:12; Matthew 24:14). JTL23 11.4