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| Jalan Sungai Dua, Sungai Dua, 11700 Penang |
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10214628920252172
September 23, 2019
#membership #churchmanship
Some brief thoughts on the two matters; I hope they
are coherent; I'm a poor communicator.
1. I believe that resident membership is not a
prerequisite for a believer's baptism.
Many, who were baptized and added to the church in
Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, soon after dispersed and returned to their
homes in the various far-flung places throughout the vast Roman empire, Acts
2:5.
They, as devout Jews, would likely return to
Jerusalem a few times a year initially until churches were established in their
far-flung cities by the itinerant Apostles.
However, non-resident membership is not the
normal or ideal state of discipleship.
2. I believe
that baptism and membership are co-extensive. The Apostles established the
pattern in Acts 2. Everyone baptized on that day is added to the church as a member, regardless of whether they can be residents or non-residents. The
Apostles certainly knew that many of them were non-residents.
3. I believe that members of a church MUST practice
good churchmanship, regardless of whether they are residents or non-residents
for the time being, just as good citizenry is expected of each citizen
whether they are at home or abroad.
4. Good churchmanship is a duty each Christian - a baptized member of a church - OWES to Christ, his Lord; and it's a reasonable duty, and a befitting adorning of our profession of Christ's blessed name, whether we are
resident members or non-resident members.
Therefore, non-resident members are to
be a part of a church as much as their conviction and conscience permit them in
their circumstances. Be regular, be punctual, be alert, sing well, hear well,
minister to others when opportunities arise, practice hospitality, support the work appropriately, etc, etc.
This way, you adorn the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; you bear a good testimony for your home
church where you still maintain your membership.
5. More importantly,
you are doing all these unto the Lord and for His sake; these good works
are owed to Him, wherever His providence has put you now. Do the same as if you
are in your home church.
- And if and when you are *DOCTRINALLY* comfortable
with that church, cast your lot with it; be a member of that church.
However, remember, "Buy the truth, and sell it
not." Don't trade the truth for a morsel of convenience or a bowl of red
bean soup. Don't be a red pottage, Esau.
6. If you still have a sense of belonging to the
church of your membership because of the truth, at least keep in touch with
home, pray for your home church, and come home whenever you can scheme (we are all
good at that, aren't we?) an opportunity in the meanwhile.
Have a long-term plan... *plot and scheme* to return
home... if the Lord so lead you. The location of your home church (Penang is a
beautiful place...) is not too bad a place; any place is a lovely place where
the Lord is loved and served.
7. If the gospel truth is of enough value to you,
pray that the Lord will give you the opportunities to convert others (God's
children), one by one, and gather them under your wings and start a church
work; the Lord will raise you up to meet the herculean task. Perhaps that's the
reason the Lord's providence directed you to your present place.
Surely, those at home will do their utmost to
assist, unless they have become so self-obsessed and inward-looking.
p/s a Christian has confessed faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God AND has been baptized upon a credible
confession of faith in Christ Jesus.
