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 - baptized member of a church - OWE
to Christ the Lord and a reasonable duty and 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 appropriately, etc, etc.
This
way, 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.
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 is one who 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.
