why church?

Below are biblical reasons, both theological and practical, of why we encourage every Christian to be an active member of a local church.

 

In Acts 20:28, we find that Christ purchased the church with His own blood.  Christ's suffering testified to the fact that He aimed to call out a people, not just individuals, for His name (1 Peter 2). He is glorified by a community that declares His sufficiency for them. If the fact that Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) in this way isn't enough, here are some other practical and theological reasons why we would love to see each of you engaged in a local body of believers.

 

“Now you are CHRIST'S BODY, and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 13:27

 

Care - As a member of the body, you are under the care and supervision of the pastoral staff and other ministries of the church. These ministries are designed to help you grow in your walk with Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

 

History - Since the beginning of the church, there has been a distinction between those in the body of Christ and those outside the body of the Christ (1 John 2:19).

 

Resources - The resources of First Redeemer may be able to help you go overseas for mission trips, help you see your friends come to know Christ, or help you in times of need (Titus 3:14).

 

Identity - You will become an identified member of this local church. You are then publicly identified with Christ's body. When Jesus came to Saul on the Damascus Road, He asked him, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?" He did not say, "Why are you persecuting My church?" but He said "Me." This means that Christ's representation on earth is the Church(Acts 9:4).

 

Support - Galatians 6:2, 10 instructs us to “bear one another’s burden” and to do good to all people “especially to those who are of the household of faith.” By being a part of the local body of Christ you receive prayer support and shared blessings (Hebrews 13:6).

 

Teaching - First Timothy 3:15 instructs us that the church is the "pillar and support of the truth." By being consistently exposed to biblical teaching, you will be able to identify many of the errors in doctrine to which you might be exposed (Jude 3, 1 Timothy 4:16, Ephesians 4:14-16).

 

Service – Becoming a member opens up a variety of service opportunities that are not available to attendees. 

 

Bond – “Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity” Colossians 3:14. Because of our love for Christ and our love for each other, when a person agrees to membership in First Redeemer Church they bond or covenant with the other members of the Church to keep those attitudes and actions that are found in the Church Covenant.  Becoming a member is a bond of love.

 

Ordinances - Baptism and the Lord's Supper are available to all believers who have placed their faith in Christ. But, for a member, the horizontal aspects of their worship are strengthened because they celebrate the ordinances with their local family.

 

Design - The epistle to the Hebrews is clear that community is necessary for you to persevere in the faith; God designed it that way (Hebrews 3:12-14, 10:23-25). The church is here to help you persevere this side of heaven.

 

You – When you put your faith in Christ, God gave you a gift to be used in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Many struggle with finding their place in local churches. One reason for this could be because they have not fully committed to Christ’s body through membership.