Member of THE church?

Have you considered if the term, "member of the church" is found in the Bible? If you were to ask "Are you a member of the Church?" what is the question behind the question? The same thing can be said concerning the term Christian. If you were to ask "Are you a Christian?" what is the question behind the question? Have you found similar questions in the Bible? Are the terms "member of the church" and Christian synonyms and are they blblical terms?

 

What does the term "obey the gospel" mean? In Thessalonians Paul wrote about "those who do not know God and those who do not heed the good news of our Lord Jesus." Peter wrote "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not heed the good news of God? Are Paul and Peter referring to hear, believe, repent, confess and baptism or are they referring to the fact that Jesus has died and has risen again?

 

The act of being immersed is the only documented way for us to have our sins forgiven. Anyone who has not been immersed in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins have not had their sins forgiven, have not received the gift of the Holy Spirit and have not been saved.

 

Followers of Christ were called Christians.  Today Christian means many things in addition to "follower of Christ."  But Christian only identifies "followers of Christ." Anyone who has not copied what the New Testament says those on Pentecost did is not a Christian. Anyone who has not been immersed for the forgiveness of their sins is not a Christian. Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Anyone who is not keeping Jesus' commandments does not love Jesus and therefore is not a Christian, is not saved, God has not been added them  to the number being saved the "called out" THE church.