They Went Out From Us

They Went Out From Us.  I used to suspect that church membership was wise though secondary, an organizational help but not necessarily a biblical concept. The New Testament convinced me that I was wrong, not by a particular verse, but by a network of verses that—when put together—formed the baseline of the normality of membership. A churchless Christian was an anomaly, an ember separated from the fire, and an easy target for the enemy. The New Testament simply assumes membership without explicitly demanding it.

Membership seemed so common in the early church that it never needed a formal defense or an extended explanation, thus there are no verses that codify it. (Though one verse at least strongly rebukes those who minimize the value of meeting together as a church, due to social pressure and threatened persecution: “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” [Heb. 10:25].) Yet, there are several verses that demand the removal of membership due to disbelief or unrepentance. Like detecting the existence of a black hole by its shadow when it eclipses another star, one can detect the existence of membership by its shadow when it is revoked. For instance, the Apostle John exposed apostasy within the congregations under his care: “Many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18). Therefore, “they went out from us, but they were not of us” (1 John 2:19). “They” and “us” requires an official designation; “from” and “of” requires congregational belonging. Believing in Christ clearly precedes belonging to the church. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting” (2 John 10). John implied a meaningful membership.

Another example of revoking membership required an entire chapter from Paul (1 Corinthians 5). Different than in John’s epistles, expulsion due to heresy, Paul required expulsion due to unrepentance. “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans” (1 Cor. 5:1). “Let him who has done this be removed from among you” (1 Cor. 5:2). “I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty” (1 Cor. 5:11). “Purge the evil person from among you” (1 Cor. 5:13). Thankfully, this expelled person seems to have repented and that his membership was happily reinstated: “You were grieved into repenting” (2 Cor. 7:9). More generally, yet consistent with both above examples, is Titus 3:10, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.”

Membership was a voluntary necessity that could be revoked or refused. Membership helped the congregation’s leadership to identify those who represented Jesus in their specific locality. Membership formed a church’s roster. From within the membership, other subgroups were identified, such as widows who qualified for church support (1 Tim. 5:16). ”Let a widow be enrolled if …” (1 Tim. 5:9), “but refuse to enroll younger widows” (1 Tim. 5:11). Sub-rosters argue strongly for the existence of a main roster. Thus, membership occupied a space that was less than obligatory, but more than optional. The result was this: any mature Christian who wanted to grow their Christian witness and live the Christian life would join a church.