Have you asked questions like these before?

Is a man's place in heaven predetermined by God?

From: Nicole
Date: Sun, Jul 5, 2009, at 1:14 AM
Subject: questions about the bible/Christianity

Hi Pastor Lau,
It's Nicole (again). I really don't know how to phrase my question because my ideas are rather incoherent but I'll try to illustrate what I'm trying to say. Rom 8:29 says that "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers ", so does that mean the places in heaven are already predestined and fixed?

Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain? Matt 28:19 does say that we should "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which I suppose things like youth rallies and mission trips are purposed for. Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it? But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel? (I did say I was incoherent and poor at structuring questions, so heh, do pardon me).

I think the second issue is perhaps easier to phrase. Jo-Hanan did say that "there are misguided, deluded children of God but regardless they still go to heaven". I did say somewhere along the lines that my Catholic friend thinks its okay for sex out of marriage and that homosexuality isn't a sin and that it's okay etc etc. I'm not quite sure if quoting Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." is apt in this case, but well it sort of contradicts. Perhaps you could shed some light on that verse (and Rom 10:13 too) since they might be in different contexts.

Thanks! (and for the previous reply on women being pastors too. would it be okay to ask my pastors why there are women pastors in my church? hmm.)

God bless
Nicole
====

Dear Sister Nicole,
Thank you for your inquiries. Inquiring is an excellent means to seek after the truth and to rightly understand the truth of the Scriptures. So, please continue to inquire after the truth. The Lord has promised his disciples, "seek, and ye shall find."

They are good inquiries, and I hope you will learn and practice the truth that the Lord will show to you. Truth demands allegiance; errors require abhorrence. Indifference to either is a great offence to the God of truth. In Ps 99:8, we read, "Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions." The merciful and gracious God took vengeance against the inventions of His people. The inventions spoken here are things and ideas - eg. women pastors, and gibberish 'tongues' - they add their own inventions to the worship of God. God's vengeance indicates that these inventions are abominations in His sight. Separate yourselves from those given to their own inventions in matters of doctrines and practices in the Christian religion. "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger." Deut 32:16

I will leave some comments on your post. Please feel free to ask further if you have any further queries. We will learn together, and see what God has spoken in the Scriptures.

It's Nicole (again). I really don't know how to phrase my question because my ideas are rather incoherent but I'll try to illustrate what I'm trying to say. Rom 8:29 says "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers ", so does that mean the places in heaven are already predestined and fixed?

## I do understand the essence of your inquiry. Any thinking person would have to wrestle with this 'apparent' contradiction. However, there is no contradiction at all. Your inquiry has to do with the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. There is perfect harmony between DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY and HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY - rightly understood. These two biblical truths are most essential for a proper and correct understanding of the biblical doctrine of salvation. Your inquiry touches on so many biblical truths, that I am not sure where to begin.

You asked, "so does that mean the places in heaven are already predestined and fixed?"
My simple answer is, Yes, and Yes; already predestined and fixed those who shall be in heaven. And the Scriptures provide ample and plain evidence of this biblical truth.

We will start with the passage you quoted, i.e. Rom 8:29-30. Read it real slow and take in the plain truth stated there. You and I are only interested in what the Scriptures declare and embrace its teaching.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

First, let us observe some basic truths asserted here in this passage.
1. All the activities mentioned – foreknow, predestinate, call, justify, glorify - are all God’s activities. They are not only God’s activities, they are wholly divine and monergistic, i.e. God acting sovereignly and freely, without the co-operation or assistance of those acted upon.

2. All the divine activities mentioned are stated in the SIMPLE PAST TENSE. In the purpose of God, all these activities are as good as have happened and completed actions.

3. All the divine activities mentioned are SOLELY AND COMPLETELY by free and sovereign divine grace - of pure and unadulterated divine grace in our eternal salvation, none is conditioned on anything outside of God. From beginning to end - note the unbroken chain between foreknowing and glorification - God alone is the cause and author of those actions.

4. The EXACT SAME NUMBER of people is the subject of EACH of all those activities – “whom he did… he also… whom he did, he also...” All these divine activities embrace and apply to exactly the SAME people… not one less, and not one more.

What this passage is declaring is this:
- God foreknew (loved beforehand, i.e. even before the foundation of the world) a certain number of people out of the fallen race of Adam)...
- God predestinated (predetermined their eternal destination (destiny, even heaven) the same people to eternal glory...
- God acted in time to bring the same number of people to eternal glory, through His Son and His Spirit.
- He called each one of them who were dead in trespasses and sins to life and eternal salvation in Jesus Christ...
- He justified them by removing their just condemnation from them and imputed to them the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Sins bring condemnation and eternal death. Righteousness brings forgiveness and life. But it is the righteousness of Christ ALONE that brings forgiveness and eternal life.
- Those whom God has freely given eternal life, i.e. who are God's children, are the object of the gospel ministry, to gather them into churches.
- He glorified them by resurrecting them to eternal glory and blessedness at Christ's second coming. But this is spoken of in the simple past tense because, in the eternal purpose of God, the glorification of His chosen people is as good as a past and completed event because of its absolute certainty of coming to pass.

See the solid unbroken chain: God foreknew a people... He predestinated these same people to eternal glory. He called these same people out of their sin and condemnation to righteousness and eternal life. He justified these same people... and He glorified the same people. Not one more nor one less. God has FIXED it - by His sovereignty - to bring a fixed certain number of lake-of-fire deserving sinners to heaven.

God by His sovereign grace, has not left the whole human race of sinners to their just and deserved desert of the lake of fire. He chose to save some, and by His own will and power, assuredly bring them to eternal glory.

I understand that is what the passage says. Others may disagree vehemently. Ask them to give their interpretation.

Here is another passage with a plain message. The Bible speaks of the Book of Life in which many names are written. WHEN were those names written?

Php 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Re 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Re 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Those names in the Book of Life were written BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD - the names of those whom God had foreknown and predestinated. These are the people God gave to Christ that He might come and save them to the uttermost from their condemnation. Jesus said:

John 6 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Those in the Book of Life are those whom God the Father had chosen and gave to Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ came to save those ONLY, not one more and not one less. John 17:2 "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." 'As many as' means just that - not one more and not one less.

Many lying preachers teach that names are written in the Book of Life when a person believes! They are liars. There are people who believe the gospel because their names were written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world, and God has called them to eternal life in time and enabled them to believe the truth of the gospel.

Here is another passage for your consideration, Ephesians 1
 3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Meditate on this passage, and draw out some conclusions.

You asked, "so does that mean the places in heaven are already predestined and fixed?"
Imagine for a moment, Nicole! Consider this question carefully.

If God DID NOT already predestinate and fix to save and bring some people to heaven, then what would happen? If God did not foreknow, predestinate, call, justify and glorify any sinner, BUT instead left the whole matter to sinners to choose, would any sinner ever be found in heaven?

If God leaves it to HELL DESERVING sinners to choose and decide for themselves whether they would want to go to heaven or not, would there be one found in heaven? Ah, I praise and bless the Lord that He is the God who chooses to save poor sinners who are hell-bent rebels against God.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Would these choose heaven??????
I will respond to the other part later. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask
your friend in Christ.

sing
===

The begetting, and the parenting of these children
are two distinct activities.

Hi Pastor Lau,
Thank you for the reply! (I really hope it doesn't trouble you much because I have the impression that pastors are very busy people) Understanding what you wrote I suppose I would continue asking what I wrote previously, which is:
Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain? Matt 28:19 does say that we should "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which I suppose things like youth rallies and mission trips are purposed for. Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it? But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel? (I did say I was incoherent and poor at structuring questions, so heh, do pardon me)

I think I meant for this paragraph and the first question on whether places in heaven were predestined and fixed to be of the same issue somehow subsumed together. Oh, and also, if the places in heaven are already fixed then why actually are the non-elect doing on earth? (somehow I find this phrasing rather awkward, but the idea is hmm something like that)

And about the second paragraph too (hmm basically on what would the consequences for backslidden Christians/those who don't live according to the Word).

Yup that's it for now (= Have a nice day!
====

Dear Sister Nicole,
Let us continue to learn.
You reasoned thus:
“Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain? Matt 28:19 does say that we should "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which I suppose things like youth rallies and mission trips are purposed for. Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it? But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel? (I did say I was incoherent and poor at structuring questions, so heh, do pardon me).”

1. There isn't the least bit of incoherence in your reasoning. However, there is a serious error in your reasoning. This error arises from a serious misunderstanding between the subject matter of divine sovereignty and the subject matter of human responsibility.  [Not to worry, even popular theologians have messed up as well...] Nicole, if you can begin to understand and distinguish the DIFFERENCE between the subject matter of divine sovereignty and the subject matter of human responsibility, then you shall be way ahead of many pastors and theologians who are so confused on a very important biblical truth. Endeavour to appreciate this statement: A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

Let me begin by illustrating the clear distinction between the subject matter of divine sovereignty and the subject of human responsibility with a simple and obvious example. Nicole, you were born of your parents, i.e. you were brought into BEING entirely by the 'sovereign' activities of your parents. It is 'sovereign' in the sense that it was entirely their decision and activities that brought about your BEING, i.e. you have absolutely nothing to do with it... you did not even exist, and so can't possibly have 'contributed' or 'assisted' or 'chose' or 'agreed/disagreed' in any way to your conception and coming into BEING. Your conception in the womb of your mother was entirely the 'sovereign' decision and activities of your parents. You were not involved in any remotest sense - you did not exist. They alone were solely the cause of bringing you into BEING, in giving birth to you. The idea of your responsibility in the whole matter of your CONCEPTION and coming into BEING is absolutely a non-issue, it is entirely irrelevant. Your responsibility plays NO ROLE whatsoever in your coming into BEING.  Your conception and BEING are entirely attributed to the 'sovereign' decision and activity of your parents.

After you have been brought into BEING, your WELL-BEING is dependent and conditioned upon many human responsibilities. Please understand your BEING (existence) and the WELL-BEING of your existence. Your well-being as a babe and a child growing up depends very much upon the responsibilities of many, and diverse human agents. This is so obvious that I do not need to elaborate.

Human responsibilities - whether of one's own or that of other fellow human - are ABSOLUTELY necessary for the WELL-BEING of a man. So, many responsible persons, besides your parents who brought you into BEING, have contributed to your WELL-BEING, to make you what you are today. And your WELL-BEING, i.e. your happiness and usefulness, will continue to depend very much upon human responsibilities of your own and that of others.

Consider this: two persons, equally brought into BEING by the 'sovereign' acts of their parents, their WELL-BEING may be so different due to the degree of human responsibilities that attended their lives. I do hope you understand the point of divine sovereignty and human responsibility that is illustrated. They are totally distinct and separate. One deals with BRINGING INTO BEING of a person, and the other deals with the WELL-BEING of the person that has been brought into being. It is when this distinction is not recognized and understood that leads to so much confusion and serious errors - e.g. illustrated in your reasoning quoted above.

Now let us speak of the same principle of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the spiritual realm - the spiritual birth of a child of God. A child of God came into being ENTIRELY by the sovereign and free activity of God ALONE. God alone acted upon a sinner SPIRITUALLY dead in trespasses and sin. He gives eternal life to a sinner who is dead in trespasses and sin - without the help and assistance or cooperation of any human. No man ever helped God in fathering His children. He does everything Himself - from foreknowing and predestinating them, to effectually calling them out of sin and death, to justifying them from their condemnation... and preserving them to eternal glory.

We read in John 1:12-13:
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 
[Simple grammar tells that the new birth PRECEDE ('were born') the activity of believing ('believe'). Theologically, without the new birth, the spiritual activities of receiving and believing are utterly impossible. Life MUST PRECEDE any activity of that life. Eternal life as the result of the new birth MUST PRECEDE the activities of that eternal life from God.]

It is stated emphatically that a believer, a child of God was born - not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. It is plain and obvious that only a child of God is able to believe in Jesus' name. A sinner is still dead in trespasses and sin (i.e. spiritually dead, without spiritual life). A sinner is able to believe BECAUSE he HAS BEEN born again of God - God has regenerated him with eternal life. And all human agency and instrumentality are completely excluded - 'not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man.' God Himself ALONE is emphatically recognized and acknowledged as the SOLE and WHOLE cause of the new birth. God ALONE gives eternal life to a man dead in trespasses and sin.

Read this passage slowly: (my comments in italic.)

John 3:3-8
 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [Unless a man is born again OF God, he cannot see BECAUSE he is SPIRITUALLY DEAD in sins, and a spiritually dead man has no spiritual sight. Please note that Jesus is making a statement of truth; He is not telling Nicodemus that he personally must be born again.]
 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [Nicodemus, a learned religious teacher did not understand this basic truth of the new birth. He was speaking of the physical/natural birth, while Jesus is speaking of the spiritual/new birth.]
 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

[Jesus repeated the solemn truth. 'Born of water' refers to our natural/physical birth through the activities of our parents. 'Born of the Spirit' refers to the spiritual birth by the sovereign act of Spirit of God. Without the new birth from above, there is no 'seeing' nor 'entering' the kingdom of God.]
 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

['flesh' refers to the sinful nature with which we were conceived and born. That is what every man is by nature - flesh.]
 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 

[the new birth by the Spirit of God is absolutely essential, without which, sinners are spiritually dead... in enmity against God, loves their sins, and chooses the broad way to hell. Men must be born again... and God alone can give the new birth... and HE does it sovereignly and freely - without man's assistance or cooperation. This is asserted in the most powerful manner in the next verse]
 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 

[The sovereign and freeness of the activity of the Spirit of God in regenerating a spiritually dead sinner is likened to the sovereign and freeness of the activity of the wind. No human can, at any time, direct or assist to alter where, when and how the wind blows. It is entirely by the sovereign and free choice of the wind - as to where, when and how the wind blows. So ALSO is every one that is born of God. Not a single one is excepted.]

I hope you begin to see the distinction between the subject matter of divine sovereignty in giving us eternal life and making us fit for heaven and the subject matter of human responsibility in ensuring the well-being of those who possess eternal life as they make their way to heaven.

Let us now consider the place, role and purpose of human responsibility.

You reasoned:
“Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain? Matt 28:19 does say that we should "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which I suppose things like youth rallies and mission trips are purposed for. Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it? But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel? (I did say I was incoherent and poor at structuring questions, so heh, do pardon me).”

God has indeed already chosen His people and destined them for eternal glory. God has also regenerated them and gave them eternal life, making them fit for eternal glory. But God is NOT ONLY interested in making His chosen people fit for heaven. He is ALSO interested in the WELL-BEING of His children as they make their journey through this world to their eternal glory.

Your father and mother are NOT just interested in conceiving and giving birth to you - i.e. of bringing you into BEING. Your parents are determined, I believe, after having brought you into BEING, to shoulder their responsibility to ensure your WELL-BEING as you journey through this world. Only very foolish parents will say of their newborn child, 'we have brought you into BEING. You already have an immortal soul. Our work is done. No matter what we do or fail to do, you already possess that immortal soul.' So, these parents will neglect their responsibility, and the well-being of the child is greatly harmed.

God, in His sovereign and free act, fathers His own children. He, in Jesus Christ, gave them ETERNAL salvation and made them fit for eternal glory. But God cares for their well-being as His children while on this earth. God desires His children to be nourished with spiritual food and instructed with the truth of salvation.  These children of God whom God has fathered Himself needed to be gathered into gospel churches. This work of gathering God's children (in the world, but no longer of the world) into churches is given to the apostles and the churches. That is what Mt 28:19-20 is all about.

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (ethnoi), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Please read this passage slowly, and soak in what it ACTUALLY stated here. Read it again slowly.
Now consider these simple questions: try answering them, please. The exercise will help you in understanding the issue better.
1. What EXACTLY were the apostles commanded to do?
- Were they commanded to help God to produce His children?
- Were they commanded to help God gather sinners for heaven?
That is what very many preachers and pastors think they are called to do - they are needed to help God to turn goats into sheep, to gather sinners out of hell into heaven.

2. WHOM do you think the apostles were commanded to teach and baptize?
- Who are those that Jesus had in mind when He gave the commandment to the apostles?
- Are they to teach God's children or those who are not, i.e. spiritually dead?
- Is it possible to teach spiritual things to those who are spiritually dead? Would Jesus ask his apostles to do such an impossible task? Is it possible to teach spiritual truth to those who are NOT God's children, to those who are STILL dead in trespasses and sin? Or, the apostles' work was to preach and teach the children of God, i.e. to make DISCIPLES of those who are ALREADY God's children?

3. Of WHOM were the apostles expected to make disciples?
- Of those who are already children of God (born again by God's own sovereign grace and power)?
- Or of those still spiritually dead?
- In the natural realm, recruits can only be made out of those who are physically alive... No one goes to the cemetery to make recruits of any sort!

4. For WHOSE benefits is the preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel intended?
- For God's children, or for those who are dead in trespasses and sin?
- Is the spiritual food for the children of God or for those still spiritually dead?
- Is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ intended for the children of God, or for those who still spiritually dead?

5. What is the NATURE of the benefits that the human responsibilities of preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel bring to the intended recipients?
- Do they bring blessings of ETERNAL NATURE - e.g. qualify them for heaven? makes them fit for heaven? - for the recipients? Does the ministry of preaching and teaching save anyone from hell, and bring anyone into heaven? Or God Himself has taken care of that matter ALL BY HIMSELF in giving them eternal life in the new birth by His own sovereign and free grace?
- Do they bring blessings of TEMPORAL natures - e.g. blessings pertaining to their redeemed life here now as they journey to their eternal glory? Do believing and repenting save anyone from eternal condemnation and hell? Or is it ONLY those that God HAS SAVED with eternal life that is able to believe and repent?
- What do the human responsibilities of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting towards God accomplish for the person? How does believing, and repenting save the person?
- Do the acts of human responsibility save in the same SENSE and MANNER that the acts of God's sovereign and free grace save?

Give careful thought to these questions.
May our Lord grant you understanding to what has been written.

I will continue later.
your friend in Christ Jesus
sing

To know God and to live in obedience to Him is heaven on earth.

Hi Nicole,
Having elaborated on the distinction between the subject matters of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Let me now give simple answers to your questions below.

“Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain? Matt 28:19 does say that we should "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which I suppose things like youth rallies and mission trips are purposed for. Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it? But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel? (I did say I was incoherent and poor at structuring questions, so heh, do pardon me).”

Then since God has already chosen His people, are the things churches do now, things like missions and street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism, in vain?
Answer: In vain? Absolutely not. Evangelism serves the EXACT purpose for which God has ordained it... for the calling out and gathering His children (whom God has already made fit for heaven by His own sovereign activity of giving them eternal life) into NT churches, that they may be made disciples, and taught the truth of their salvation, and live godly. Nourishing a child that has been born is most assuredly not in vain, but most necessary for the WELL-BEING of the child.

Then again, if God has predestined already who would go to Heaven and who would not, it kinda means that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray for intercession, it does not alter God's decision, does it?
No activity of man can ever alter God's decision on who would go to heaven. God, Himself has fixed that by His sovereign will and purpose. He has chosen and written their names in the Book of Life, and destined them for heaven - all done before the foundation of the world. However, what we do will affect the WELL-BEING of God's children here on earth. Some of God's children are well taught and trained in righteousness - these are sober, godly and live a righteous life. Your human responsibility determines your WELL-BEING as a child of God. So human responsibility, yours and others do MATTER A VERY GREAT DEAL to your spiritual well-being as a child of God. So many irresponsible, careless and negligent children of God live pathetic and handicapped lives... a disgrace to God their Father. They enjoy the grace of God in vain - 2Co 6:1 "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." They are ignorant of so much biblical truth, they are indifferent to sound doctrines, and godly practices - messing up their lives, piercing their hearts with grief and sorrow.

But no amount of human responsibility has ever produced one child of God. God does not need human responsibility to produce His own children. However, God has ordained human responsibility to be instrumental in the well-being of His children.

But then again is it because we do not know who exactly are the elect and those who are not, that we have outreach events and pray for the salvation of non-believers/pre-believers? And that perhaps outreach events and missions are God's channel to those predestined who...have yet to hear the gospel?
It is true that God alone knows who are His elect, and who are His children (the elect whom God has regenerated with eternal life). The preaching ministry is the instrumental means to seek out God's children from among the vast multitudes in the world. The gospel is good news for God's children alone. The gospel is foolishness to all the others. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1Cor 1:18."

The preaching ministry is God's appointed instrument to gather His children into churches, into spiritual homes - so that they may be taught the truth, and trained in righteous living - to observe all things whatsoever Jesus Christ has commanded us, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

"11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Titus 2.

Note a very careful distinction here - i.e. the BEING, and WELL-BEING.
- God appointed the gospel ministry NOT as an instrument to produce His children - that's a lie many people believe. They are very silly and deceived. They speak like a midwife who claims that she was instrumental to your conception in your mother's womb! Or put it another way - they speak like a farmer who insists that the wind will blow only if he is standing under the tree... (see John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - i.e. the Spirit of God is impotent to bring the spiritual birth without their presence and aids! How self-conceited and ignorant!

- God appointed the gospel ministry as an instrument to seek out His children in the world and to gather them into spiritual homes. It is the instrument appointed by God to make disciples of His children whom He has begotten all by Himself.

I think the second issue is perhaps easier to phrase. Jo-Hanan did say that "there are misguided, deluded children of God but regardless they still go to heaven". I did say somewhere along the lines that my catholic friend thinks its okay for sex out of marriage and that homosexuality isn't a sin and that it's okay etc etc. I'm not quite sure if quoting Matt 7:21""Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." is apt in this case, but well it sort of contradicts. Perhaps you could shed some light onto that verse (and Rom 10:13 too) since they might be in different contexts
God and God alone make a person fit for heaven - by giving them eternal life at new birth. A person's place is SOLELY determined by God's foreknowledge and predestination, effectual calling, justification, and glorification. There are many of God's children who are misguided, deluded, self-conceited, and deceived children of God - both in doctrines and in practices- who nevertheless have been made fit for heaven, and shall be brought into heaven. A man's place in heaven is determined by God, and God alone. The doctrinal soundness and godliness of a man's life are affected to a large degree by human responsibility - that of his pastor/teacher, and his own. Doctrinal soundness and godliness of life affect ONLY the WELL-BEING of a child of God here on earth.

God condemns sex outside marriage. Homosexuality is an abomination to God. Those who approve what God condemns may prove themselves to be among those whom the Lord Jesus mentioned in Mt 7:21.

A child of God who approves and practices what God his Father condemns will suffer severe chastisement and consequences of sins in THIS LIFE. He will make a shipwreck of his faith. He would mess up his life like the prodigal son - UNTIL he comes to his senses. God may even cut short the natural life of His children - see 1Cor 11:29 "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." Many 'sleep' - their lives on earth cut short!

Matthew 7:21 is indeed a solemn truth. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

'Not everyone'! Think about the statement carefully. This statement DOES NOT say that everyone who does the will of God is also doctrinally sound. Only God's children could do the will of the Father. This ALSO does not mean that every child of God does the will of the Father.

Please note also, that the 'kingdom of heaven' is NOT, NOT, NOT, heaven itself. To equate the two is a great, and common error. One's entrance into heaven is NOT conditioned upon anything in man. A Jew may belong to the earthly kingdom of Israel - that's his birthright as a Jew. But if he does not do the will of the Father, he is not eligible to enter the spiritual kingdom of heaven. The NT churches are the manifestation of the spiritual kingdom of God on earth.

Your Catholic friend who approves what God condemns is a shame and disgrace and reproach to his Roman Catholic Church. He may belong to RCC. He is most certainly not qualified for membership in the kingdom of heaven established by Jesus Christ on earth. The Church of Jesus Christ should expel such a man, and treat him as a godless heathen - no matter what he claims until he turns from those sins.

Romans 10:
 12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Please ask yourself these 2 questions:
- Who is it that shall call upon the name of the Lord? God's children or those who are dead in trespasses and in enmity against God?
- Him who call upon the name of the Lord, from what shall he be saved from?

If you can give correct answers, then you have understood something from all that I have shown you from the Holy Scriptures.

Thanks! (and for the previous reply on women being pastors too. Would it be okay to ask my pastors why there are women pastors in my church? hmm.)

Nicole, it is your God's given right and privilege to ask, and demand adequate answers, from your pastor. It is your pastor's obligation to teach you what God has revealed in the Scriptures, not fables. And it is your obligation to separate from those who would reject God's word and promote fables.

(2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.)

Don't be among those who turn their ears away from the truth. Don't let your ears be turned unto fables.
Truth demands allegiance; errors require abhorrence.

May our Lord bless you to understand His word.

your friend in Christ,
sing

Let the Holy Scriptures be the only infallible guide
in all matters of doctrine and practice

Hi Nicole,
Thanks for responding to the questions. You have answered well.

I leave some comments marked ##
Q. 1. What EXACTLY were the apostles commanded to do?
Nic: Nope they were not commanded to help God to produce His children, because God's sovereign. And also they were not commanded to help God gather sinners for heaven because as it is written it is by God's will that people are able to go to heaven and not by what we do...right?
##: The apostles were commanded to make disciples of God's children, whom God himself has begotten by His own sovereign power and grace. God's act of producing His children is distinct and prior to, and makes possible the apostles' act of making disciples out of God's children.

Q2. WHOM do you think the apostles were commanded to teach and baptize?
- Who are those that Jesus had in mind when He gave the commandment to the apostles?
Nic: The people God gave to have eternal life, is it correct? Those people whom God by His grace forgave and justified.
##: The people whom God have regenerated, i.e. God's children. Those who are not God's children do not have the spiritual life to receive spiritual truth.

Q. Are they to teach God's children or those who are not, i.e. spiritually dead?
Nic: I guess this is not possible since the carnal mind is against God and those spiritually dead choose to remain where they are (if John 3:20 fits).
##: Indeed, the natural man loves darkness. They recoil from the light of the gospel. It is impossible to teach the gospel truth to such people.

Q. Is it possible to teach spiritual things to those who are spiritually dead? Would Jesus ask his apostles to do such an impossible task? Is it possible to teach spiritual truth to those who are NOT God's children, to those who are STILL dead in trespasses and sin? Or, the apostles' work was to preach and teach the children of God, i.e. to make DISCIPLES of those who are ALREADY God's children?
Nic: Hmm yes it is not possible to teach those who are spiritually dead... then it leads me to another question which is going to be pretty incoherent again, but that's for another time.
##: 1Co 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Feel free to ask. The whole truth of God is self-consistent and in perfect harmony. When contradiction happens, it is because we have misunderstood God's word. Inconsistency occurs when we fail to rightly divide the word of truth.

Q3. Of WHOM were the apostles expected to make disciples?
- Of those who are already children of God (born again by God's own sovereign grace and power)? - Or of those still spiritually dead?
Nic: The apostles are expected to make disciples of children of God. I think I used to confuse 'children of God' and 'disciples' because I thought once a person makes a decision to accept Christ he's made a decision to follow Him and therefore is...a disciple? somewhere along those lines, and hence I thought the verse Matt 28:19-20 meant God wanted us to reach out to everyone in every nation and make disciples of many. 
## The elect of God who are regenerated, i.e. born again of God, are God's children. These children of God need to be converted and be made disciples through the gospel ministry. Only a child of God is able to make a decision to receive Christ, and a child of God receives Christ when the gospel of Christ is proclaimed to him. A disciple is a child of God who follows Jesus Christ. In Mt 28:19-20, Jesus commissioned His apostles to make disciples of ALL NATIONS (Greek 'ethnoi', from which we get our 'ethnic' in English). This is because God's children are found in every ethnic group. Disciples can only be made out of God's children who are found among every people group. Rev 7:9 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."

Q4. For WHOSE benefits is the preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel intended?
- For God's children, or for those who are dead in trespasses and sin?
- Is the spiritual food for the children of God or for those still spiritually dead?
- Is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ intended?
Nic: for the children of God, or for those who still spiritually dead?Nic: For God's children, since the preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel was purposed to umm bring those who have yet to know God (but whom God has predestined for Heaven) to Him? 
## The preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel was intended for the instruction of God's children, that they may the truth of their salvation that God has accomplished for them by His free and sovereign grace.

Q5. What is the NATURE of the benefits that the human responsibilities of preaching and teaching ministry of the gospel bring to the intended recipients?
- Do they bring blessings of ETERNAL NATURE - e.g. qualifies them for heaven? makes them fit for heaven? - for the recipients? Does the ministry of preaching and teaching save anyone from hell, and bring anyone into heaven? Or God Himself has taken care of that matter ALL BY HIMSELF in giving them eternal life in the new birth by His own sovereign and free grace?
Nic: I don't think they bring blessings of eternal nature because only God can do that and we're just doing our part (the human responsibility aspect) by being obedient and do what He commanded us to... And yup I agree that God himself has taken care of that matter all by Himself in giving them eternal life in the new birth by his own sovereign and free grace.
## SPOT ON. You are making progress.

Q- Do they bring blessings of TEMPORAL natures - e.g. blessings pertaining to their redeemed life here now as they journey to their eternal glory? Do believing and repenting save anyone from eternal condemnation and hell? Or is it ONLY those that God HAS SAVED with eternal life that is able to believe and repent?
Nic: Hmm, I guess I would have to agree with that -- blessings of temporal natures. Well, I think God has saved us and given us eternal life, and those who choose to repent and believe are acknowledging that He has done that for us and are proclaiming that He's a gracious God who is ever forgiving and such? {and I was just wondering: those who are spiritually dead ignore the fact that Jesus has died for them on the cross because they are disobedient and would not want to believe Jesus has died for them and hence are dead in sin... is it right putting it this way (um, yes, again, incoherence... can't seem to place my finger on the crux of the matter)?
## The elect who are still spiritually dead will not be able to believe the fact that Jesus has died for them. This is because the benefits of Christ's death for them has not be APPLIED to them personally, i.e. the eternal life that Jesus Christ has secured for all the elect has not been applied to them personally in the new birth. Jesus secured eternal life for His own people only, the elect. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Jesus Christ died for His people alone, the elect, those whom God had chosen and given to Christ to redeem. Jesus DID NOT die for all. If Jesus had died for all, then all would be found in heaven. If Jesus had paid the redemption price for all, then none would be in hell. Jesus suffered hell for all His people ONLY.

Q. What does the human responsibilities of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting towards God accomplish for the person? How does believing, and repenting save the person?
Nic: Well I guess the person would be able to experience God's love and live a life in abundance... like the verse Matthew 16:25 "for whosoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" states. Believing and repenting...saves the person from the sufferings and stuff on earth I suppose...and allows for God to work in the person's life and make it good? hm
## Believing secures the right to be called sons of God. Believing saves us from errors and lies and ignorance. Believing enables us to live soberly, godly and righteously. Believing delivers from worldliness and its painful consequences. Believing saves them from this PERVERSE generation - Act 2:40.

Q. Do the acts of human responsibility save in the same SENSE and MANNER that the acts of God's sovereign and free grace save?
Nic: I think this would be an absolute no because God is the determiner of all things and we're just vessels to be used by God...
## You need to be a bit careful. You sound like you are a FATALIST or ABSOLUTER when you say, "God is the determiner of ALL things." If God is the determiner of ALL things, then what will be will be no matter what. Then there would be no legitimate place for human responsibility.

God is indeed the sovereign determiner of everything concerning the ETERNAL salvation of His people - He has to do that otherwise there would be NO salvation for anyone... all would end up in the hell they deserved. Vessels have vessels' responsibility. The Potter who forms the vessels has the Potter's sovereignty.

There is eternal salvation which God alone has fully and completely accomplished for His people. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There is a temporal salvation ('temporal' in the sense that it pertains to this life on earth only) that God's children have to work out for themselves throughout life with fear and trembling.

Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

These two are separate and distinct. The former is the CAUSE, and the latter is the effect and evidence. The former is wholly monergistic - by God's sovereign grace alone through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. The latter is synergistic - by the obedient response of God's children to the word of God through the grace of God working in them.

If you can distinguish the two, you have understood a very precious truth concerning the doctrine of salvation.
May our Lord Jesus grant you understanding.

your friend in Christ,
sing

Church Membership: Is it for you? What Does it Mean?

Baptism service by the sea... the Malacca Strait in the background

Church Membership: Is it for you? 

What Does it Mean?

Original article found here:
http://sovgrace.net/theological-essays/41-the-church/85-church-membership-is-it-for-you-what-does-it-mean [there may be parts that are chewy for you; search the Scriptures.]

So, you are thinking about becoming a church member…

How wonderful! It is certainly a very important decision—one of the most important you will ever make in your life. At first, it may seem to be a very simple choice—as they say, a “no brainer”—for there is no organization more important and no cause more noble than the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither the Lion’s Club, Girl Scouts, Toastmasters, nor the local chapter of a particular worker’s Union can claim the Creator of heaven and earth as its Head. The church can. Furthermore, no earthly organization is guaranteed a perpetual existence. Every company that comes along will be replaced eventually by a newer and more relevant model. Not the church—it will last forever.

Indeed, it seems like an easy decision. But, then again, I’m sure you have a number of questions whirling in your mind: How do I know if I’m ready to join the church? What do I need to know before I join? How do I go about joining the church? Is it even necessary to apply for formal membership? What will it matter if I don’t?

Well, I want to help you to answer some of these questions. It is appropriate for you to consider, in advance, the significance of this decision and to learn something about the many privileges associated with membership in the church.

I also want to address a few issues that you may or may not have considered regarding some of the responsibilities associated with church membership. Jesus taught that it is important to “count the cost” of following Him—that is, to consider what is involved in discipleship. What will membership in the church require of you? What will be expected of you?

No doubt, you’ve heard the adage, “With privilege comes responsibility.” In a day when many people approach the gospel as consumers, asking “How can this benefit me?”, it is needful to recover Jesus’ emphasis on servanthood. The most basic question asked by early Christians was not the consumer’s question—“How can I benefit from the church?”—but the question of the servant—“What shall we do?”

Indeed, there are privileges—rich and wonderful privileges—associated with membership in the church. Church membership will benefit you in a variety of ways. But there are also duties that accompany the commitment to follow Jesus Christ in the fellowship of other believers, and it is important that you understand both what you can expect from church-life and what will be expected from you, before you become a member.

Perhaps we should begin by asking the very basic and fundamental question…

Is the concept of “joining the church” even a Biblical concept?

A reaction against institutional forms is one of the unhappy emphases of our day. Some would argue that baptism is “into Christ,” as Romans 6:3 says, not “into the church”. But it is doubtful that Romans 6 is talking about “water baptism” at all; the subject of Romans 6 is the legal doctrine of spiritual union with Christ. It may surprise some people to know that the Bible does indeed talk about “joining the church”.

Twice in the book of Acts, reference is made to a person “joining himself” to the church. The original word translated “join” means “to cement together, to unite” and refers to a formal relationship such as the joining of a man and a woman in a marriage covenant.

Furthermore, there are statements in the New Testament that make sense only in the context of an official membership—“tell it to the church,” “when you are gathered together,” “if the whole church be come together into one place,” etc. All of these references suggest that the early church was a local assembly with a definable membership.

In Acts 2:47, conversion is defined in terms of “the Lord adding to the church such as should be saved.” Obviously, the Bible assumes that church membership is the will of God for every true believer. That leads to the next question…

Who should join the church and when is the right time?

How do you know if you are ready to join the church? If the Lord has done a work of grace in your heart, then you are not only qualified for membership, but called—simply by virtue of His gift of salvation—to unite yourself to His people. The call to separate oneself from the world and to identify oneself with the stigma of the cross is God’s will for every one of His children.

The church is for believers. We practice credo- (or believers) baptism, not paedo- (or infant) baptism, for belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate evidence that a person has been born again. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Well, ask yourself these questions: Have I been brought to see myself as a sinner who needs a Savior? Have I found comfort in the gospel of Christ and dared to believe that the work of Jesus on the cross was for me? Have I ceased to trust in my own personal worth or merit as the basis of my acceptance with God, convinced that Christ alone is my righteousness? Have I turned from the ambivalence and unbelief that presumes to sit in judgment on the Bible and said with the hymnwriter, “I can, I will, I do believe”? If you can answer “yes,” then you ought to unite with others who understand your experience.

Perhaps you wonder how much you ought to know before you can be a member. Some groups have “membership classes” to educate candidates for membership in the doctrinal convictions of the group. While we don’t observe that practice, it is helpful (especially in cases where a person is an adult) to have a basic understanding of the fundamental or core beliefs of the church.

Of course, from one standpoint, commitment to Christ comes first and education second. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me”—in that order. In a very real sense, all that is required for membership is the knowledge that (in the words of John Newton) “I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”

On the other hand, there is a place for learning as much as possible about the basic theological convictions of the church, for baptism is essentially a theological statement—a confession not only that you believe in Jesus Christ but of what you believe about Jesus Christ.

Do you believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation? Do you rejoice to hear the message of a successful Savior who actually secured salvation for His people on the cross and finished the work of redemption? Is the message that says “salvation is of the Lord” a joyful sound in your ears? Does the message that man is hopelessly fallen in sin and cannot recover himself by his own decision or effort agree with your experience? Does your heart resonate with the proclamation that salvation is by grace alone—not of works lest any man should boast? Do you hunger for the faithful and consistent teaching and preaching of God’s word? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then (may I be so bold as to say) you ought to unite with those who share these convictions. Now is the day of salvation; today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart.

How does a person unite with the church?

The ordinance of baptism marks the entrance into the fellowship of the local church. By this solemn act, a person gives dramatic testimony to those with whom he will live and worship of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel baptism marks a turning point in the believer’s life—a decisive act of repentance from his former lifestyle and willing submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In a very real sense, it is a fresh start—a new beginning—a “year of Jubile”.

At the conclusion of each worship service, a hymn is sung and opportunity is given to publicly confess faith in the Lord Jesus. This public profession is a wonderful opportunity to testify to the great things the Lord has done for you and to “name the name of Christ” before others who have also given testimony to their Lord. Though it takes courage to publicly confess Christ, such a first step will help to prepare you for many future occasions in which your Christianity will require a courageous and steadfast faith in God.

The church rejoices to hear someone relate an experience of grace and how the Lord has led to this point. To witness a penitent sinner submit to Christ in baptism strengthens the faith, inflames the zeal, and renews the commitment of the entire church. It also establishes a bond of mutual love and understanding within the fellowship—a unity in the Spirit that arises from participation in a common faith.

What difference will membership in the church make in my life? What can I expect?

Have you ever noticed that much of the New Testament’s instruction for Christian living is framed in the context of local church life? For example, it is in the epistle to the church at Ephesus that we are exhorted to walk in holiness, love, light, and wisdom. It is in the fourth and fifth chapters of that letter—as well as the letter to the Colossians—that the apostle Paul gives practical directions for living Christianly in the areas of personal attitudes and behavior, relationships in the home and at work. It is in the letter to the church at Philippi that he teaches how to overcome worry and to live joyfully and contentedly, regardless of one’s circumstances.

What is the significance of this fact? By framing his practical teaching in the context of letters to specific churches, Paul implies that it is only in the fellowship of the local church that anyone can possibly live an authentic Christian life.

What difference, then, will participation in the life of the church make in your life? First and foremost, it will enable you to fulfill God’s call to holiness by creating a setting in which it is possible for you to grow in Christ and to receive the spiritual nourishment you need to bear burdens and resist temptation. If it were possible for a person to get these benefits on his own, Christ would have never established the church.

There are privileges associated with membership in the church that a person simply cannot get on the outside. Consider Paul’s argument for unity to the church at Philippi. When Paul urged the Philippian believers to labor for unity, he pleaded with them on the basis of the many privileges that were theirs in church life: “If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, fulfill ye my joy that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord.” His point is unmistakable: Great privilege in the fellowship of the saints calls for great effort to preserve the blessing.

Perhaps the greatest benefit to church membership is the privilege of participating in the Lord’s Supper. To be permitted to take the unleavened bread—a symbol of the Savior’s broken body—and the cup of wine—an emblem of His precious blood—in communion with the saints is an unspeakable mercy. These tangible elements are visual reminders of both the act and the significance of Christ’s death on the cross. Personal participation in this solemn ordinance serves to make the audible gospel a reality to the individual believer, prompting him to say, ‘He loved me and gave himself for me’. It is an opportunity for you to proclaim the death of Christ until He comes again.

Membership in the church also fosters a sense of belonging and identity. When he came to years, Moses chose to identify himself with God’s people. He knew that he was a Hebrew, not an Egyptian. He esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than all the treasures in Egypt; therefore, he joined himself in covenant with the people of God.

It is my experience that such a sense of identity will prove to be a great safeguard against sin. More than once in my life, I have been spared from falling into temptation by the simple reminder, “I am a church member and should not participate in this activity.” Membership in the church brings a person face to face with the sins of slothfulness, selfishness, and covetousness in his life. The awareness that I have made a commitment to the Lord and other believers establishes a structure that makes it easier for me to be zealous and energetic. It drives me outside of myself and forces me to think beyond the little circle of my personal life. It gives me a sense of responsibility, direction, and significance in life.

Finally, membership in the church carries with it the privilege of fellowship. Paul thanked God for “the fellowship in the gospel” that he enjoyed with the church at Philippi. The Greek word koinonia (translated “fellowship”) means “to share in common.” The covenant relationship between fellow believers in the church is a reciprocal dynamic of giving and taking—a mutual ministry in which each gives to satisfy the need of his brother and receives from his brother the supply that God has given to him. It is only in the context of sharing in the common life that any believer can grow to full maturity.

What do believers share with one another? They share their knowledge of Scripture, experiences, encouragement, counsel, spiritual gifts, material possessions, and prayers. They participate together as partners in the gospel of Christ. Fellowship is life in community with the saints—life in covenant with other believers.

That brings us to the next question…

What does it really mean to enter into covenant with other believers?

Membership in the church is a glorious thing because it is an assembly of people who have made a covenant (or promise) to God and one another to uphold the principles of God’s word. Baptism is the first act of Christian fellowship—a “sharing in common” with other believers. When a believer is baptized into the fellowship of the saints, he/she is saying by that act, “I, like you, place all my hope and trust for salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. I share your convictions of my own unworthiness and of His sufficient sacrifice in my stead. We are people of ‘like precious faith’.”

He is also making another confession to his brothers and sisters in Christ. He is saying, “I want to share with you in the mutual ministry of the church. I want to receive from you what God has taught you and to give to you what God has taught me.”

The mutual ministry of the church involves, first of all, subjecting yourself to the input of others into your life. By the act of uniting with the saints, you are saying to them, “I realize that I am not self-sufficient. I cannot live the Christian life on my own. I need your prayers and encouragement, your knowledge of His word, the witness of your example, and your godly counsel. I need the “checks and balances” that church life will provide. I want to be accountable to other believers. I want you to love me enough to gently challenge me when I begin to falter, to faithfully admonish me when I stray, and to help me to be faithful to the Lord.”

Secondly, fellowship involves giving yourself in service to others. At his baptism into the fellowship, the believer is saying, “I want to show my love for the Lord by serving His people. I want to offer my life as a sacrifice on the altar of Christian service. Whatever the Lord has given to me—whether my spiritual gifts, knowledge of His word, material resources, personal time, or experience—I want to invest in the cause of Christ by bearing the burdens of my brethren.”

In a very real sense, membership in the church is a covenant relationship. It is an agreement to take responsibility for one another. Living in a sinful world as we do, we can be thankful that the Lord has given such a precious resource as the communion of saints to help us stay the course of godliness.

Does the idea of “taking responsibility” for the church sound frightening to you? We are living in a day when many people want privilege without responsibility. But it is God that holds us accountable. It is nothing short of Divine Providence that has blessed us with such priceless blessings as the opportunity to congregate ourselves with His children, sing the precious songs of Zion, and hear the joyful sound of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. Simply by virtue of the inestimable blessings we’ve been given, each believer is obliged to assume personal responsibility for the maintenance and forward progress of the church.

That brings us to the final question…

What will be expected of me as a church member?

Membership in the church implies activity and commitment. If human organizations that allow a person to retain membership on his own terms are rare, then it should not be a surprise that the “Householder” of the church determines that those who refuse to wear His prescribed garments may not remain at the wedding banquet. A person may not “name the name of Christ” and refuse to depart from iniquity.

Does that mean that sinners are unwelcome? Of course not. The church is not a museum where perfect people are showcased. None of us deserves to be here—all are unworthy sinners, unfit to be so signally blessed. Further, none of us has attained perfect conformity to Christ-likeness yet. But the church is a place for penitent sinners—for those who “keep on confessing” their sins in ongoing repentance, and are disciplined and purified more and more by the word so that there is real growth in grace and progress in holiness. A humble and teachable spirit—a heart that is sensitive and submissive to God’s word—is the first and most basic character trait of those in the kingdom of God. The presence of such an attitude is the raw material from which the Holy Spirit manufactures “vessels meet for the Master’s use”. The absence of a pliable heart will always reveal itself in a spirit that resists accountability and refuses to repent.

In a word, neither you nor I will ever find a perfect church this side of the grace of glorification. The church will always be a people in process of becoming, not a people who boast “we have arrived.” But this fact should never be used as an excuse for shallow commitment. The challenge facing us is to make our church a true and authentic New Testament church—as Biblically pure and distinct from this fallen world system as she can possibly be. Be separate—be holy—be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind—that is the basic call of the gospel of Christ.

When one remembers that the motivation for godliness is gratitude for grace, then duty becomes a privilege. Church members should do all that they do “as unto the Lord”. To be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ implies being committed to His church. In a very real sense, we serve Him by serving others. That being said, what, then, does commitment to the church involve?

1. Consistent Attendance at Public Worship

Hebrews 10:24-25 is one of the premier passages in the New Testament concerning the duties of church members: “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Notice the connection between a concern for other believers and one’s church attendance habits: Let us consider one another…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… The point is hard-hitting, almost to the point of harshness: Absenteeism displays a self-centered spirit and lack of consideration for other believers.

Why should you worship with the church? Because the church is “the pillar and ground of the truth”. Here truth is disseminated as the word of God is proclaimed. Here, you may unburden your soul, for God’s house is “a house of prayer for all people”. Here, you may experience the presence of God and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, for the church is “a habitation of God through the Spirit”. Here your questions find answers. Here your soul will find a haven of rest—a safe refuge from distress. Here God is praised.

I know of nothing that so discourages the heart of pastors and other believers as inconsistency in attendance at public worship. It sends a message of unconcern for the cause of Christ, and thereby suffocates the fire of zeal. It produces a “domino effect,” weakening the commitment level of others and making it easier for them to excuse themselves. Practically nothing does more to impede the interest of visitors who are “asking the way to Zion” as the apparent lack of concern displayed by predominately empty pews. Further, it robs the individual who stays away of the saving benefits of the gospel. Perhaps the most tragic consequence of absenteeism is the missed opportunities for ministry. The word “consider” in the text means “to notice”. The writer indicates that it is in the public assembly that believers will notice opportunities to spur other believers on to greater faithfulness—i.e. to provoke unto love and good works.

Every member needs to know that a part of his covenant to the Lord and his brethren at baptism was the vow to be consistent in church attendance. Ask yourself, “Do I make excuses to stay away? Could I attend more meetings each week than I do? How does my absence affect my pastor and fellow believers? Am I preparing myself to step up and bear the responsibility that others bear now when they are gone? Am I keeping my vows to God and my brethren? Is the Lord pleased with my attendance habits?” Painful questions? Yes, but necessary, nonetheless.

David said, “I will pay my vows now unto the Lord in the presence of all His people”. He said, “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” He promised, “I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee among much people”. How church members need to “exhort one another daily” to be committed to faithful attendance at public worship, “and so much the more as the day approaches”! As painful and perhaps unpleasant as it is to hear, every believer needs to know that church membership involves a commitment to faithful attendance.

2. The Practice of Personal Devotion

Secondly, church membership involves a personal commitment to pursue a daily walk with Jesus Christ. Unless a person stays connected to the Lord—unless he “abides in Christ” through the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, and meditation—he cannot bear the fruit of Christian character. The members of the church in Berea “searched the Scriptures daily” —such a practice of saturating the mind with God’s word during the week will make for an eager reception of the word on Lord’s Day morning.

3. Participation in Ministry to Others

Ephesians 4:11-16 outlines the dynamics of church function in terms of “every member ministry in the body of Christ.” It works like this: The most basic function of the church is the preaching and teaching of God’s word. As the word of God is faithfully and accurately taught, the saints are equipped to minister to one another. As each part of the body fulfills its respective role, the body as a whole grows to maturity in Christ.

Each member of the local body is responsible for using the spiritual gifts they have been given to minister to the rest of the body. Each must be interested in the “one another” passages of the New Testament—each should be involved in burden-bearing, intercessory prayer, daily exhortation, showing hospitality, visiting, esteeming, admonishing, loving, helping, teaching, communicating, and serving one another. This is real “body life” with every joint supplying the needs of the body so that is built up by love.

4. Protect the Unity

Another area of personal concern to every member should be the unity of the local church. Ephesians 4:2-3 urges each believer to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” by maintaining an attitude of “lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance”. If you have ever experienced the heartache of disunity, you know that unity is a priceless commodity. Nothing so discredits the church’s witness to the community as strife, tension, and conflict among the membership. Every member must take personal responsibility for peacemaking within the fellowship. Do what you can to foster harmony, silence gossip, and promote a general spirit of goodwill in interpersonal relationships. Refuse to be a part of divisiveness. Guard the unity.

5. Sacrificial Giving

As a church member, you should be involved in the sacrificial giving of your resources to the church. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Paul said, “God loveth a cheerful giver”. If we have freely received God’s gifts of grace, we ought to freely give such grace to others in confidence that God will sufficiently supply our personal needs. In a very real sense, giving is an act of worship.

Your financial and monetary gifts will be used for the support of the pastor so that his hands may be more and more liberated from secular distraction to devote his time to prayer and ministry of the word. Further, your sacrificial gifts help in the spread of the gospel, the care of those who are in need, the purchase of necessary items in the function of the church (like hymnals, bibles, cassette tapes, etc.), and the general maintenance of the building (e. g. utility bills, lawnmower maintenance, cleaning supplies, items for the lunchroom, and many other background needs in the daily function of the church).

The happiest people in life are those who give sacrificially and cheerfully, never asking if it pays. God is faithful to return such an investment in a myriad of blessings.

6. Personal Evangelism

First Peter 2:9 indicates that God calls people from darkness into His marvelous light and separates them to Himself as His special people to the intent that they may proclaim His praise. Telling others what great things the Lord has done for you is a privilege and responsibility of every believer. Like the early believers who “went everywhere preaching the word”, every follower of Christ is called to be zealous for the expansion of the kingdom of God. The Thessalonian church “sounded out the word of the Lord” so effectively that it had become public knowledge. Each believer should equip himself with the necessary knowledge so that he will “be ready to give an answer” to those who inquire about his faith.

Of course, the best opportunity for witnessing is within your own family and circle of influence. Jesus told the wild man to “go home to [his] friends and tell them what great things the Lord had done for [him]. Andrew first shared the news of Messiah’s advent with his own brother Simon Peter. But even beyond the sphere of immediate influence, every church member will periodically encounter people in hospitals, shopping malls, airplanes, and elsewhere in which opportunities to speak a word for the glory of God are afforded. It’s always a good idea to have taped sermons and some quality literature with you for these spontaneous opportunities. Spread the good word of God as widely as possible. Invite others to attend public worship with you, saying, “Come and see.” Participate in the labors of those who are doing the work of evangelism by your monetary assistance.

7. Assisting in the General Upkeep of Church Property

Finally, It is helpful when every member is willing to assume responsibility for the general maintenance of the building and property. Many people would be surprised at the amount of backstage activity that is necessary in the weekly life of the church. Housekeeping chores never cease. There are carpets to be vacuumed, trash cans to empty, song books to straighten, floors to sweep, paper supplies to purchase, furniture to dust, hedges to trim, flowers to water, walks to sweep, light bulbs to change, etc., on a weekly basis.

Of course, there is a blessing to be found in this more mundane but necessary part of church life. Though the building is not the church, yet it is a place consecrated to the worship of God. The interest we show in the meetinghouse and property is a part of the witness we give to the watching world. I would encourage each member to take a personal interest in these various responsibilities so that the work load is distributed as evenly as possible.

In the final analysis, the duty of the church member is to do whatever you can to promote the welfare and prosperity of the church for the glory of Christ’s worthy name. May it be said of us as it was said of the people in Nehemiah’s great project, “The people had a mind to work.”

- Michael L. Gowens, Pastor