Why Membership Is Placed In A Local Church?

The church “universal” is composed of all members of the church of Christ from all over the world, United States, Africa, In and etc.. It is impossible for an eldership to oversee every Christian in the world. Therefore, God designed the local congregation. The local congregation consists of members of the church who live in a certain location. This local church is a microcosm of the universal church. When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he described them with these words: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (I Cor. 12:27). Notice he called the local church “the body of Christ.”

The local congregations of God’s people are autonomous, that is, self-governing. There is no conference or association that oversees all of the local churches. A governing body that stands between the local church and the universal church is not authorized in God’s Word. There is wisdom in the autonomous nature of the local church. Why? If one church turns from the truth, only that church is impacted by the apostasy and its shepherds are responsible.

As Christians we seek out a congregation with which to work and worship, and thus commit to be under the oversight of the local leadership,

Acts 20:28-NKJV-28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

This is commonly called "placing membership, some would say finding my church home… so one needs to be cautious and wise, making sure the church and its leadership are sound in the faith.

1 John 4:1-NKJV- 4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Several passages indicate that Christians must commit to the work and worship of a local congregation: Christians are commanded not to forsake assembling with the local church congregation.

Hebrews 10:25-26-NKJV

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Among other things, they are to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week as we gather with our fellow members in one place Acts 2:42-NKJV-42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Christians need to recognize that elders of a local congregation will have to give an account to God on the Day of Judgment on the way they handled themselves in guiding the flock.

Hebrews 13:17-NKJV- 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

How can Elders guide the flock unless they know who is in the flock? Since qualified men are commanded to oversee their flock; then it follows that the flock are commanded to be overseen and held accountable, including working and worshipping with their local congregation. The Elders also need to question new members so that no false doctrine is introduced into their midst that would tear up the flock, err on the side of caution and love. Is that not what Paul did?

Romans 16:1-2-NKJV-Sister Phoebe Commended- 16 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Paul was introducing Phobe as a servant, of the church at Cenchrea about 6 miles from Corinth to the church at Rome. (Two different church congregations)

Paul did the same thing again:

Romans 16:3-5-NKJV-Greeting Roman Saints

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

These were what we would call letters of recommendation Paul was giving and yes this is necessary! Why? - You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

Matthew 7:15-NKJV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

I did this as an Elder at Eagle Way, a church called and asked about a former brother in Christ who left Hopkinsville, He divorced his wife here and married his girlfriend and moved away. The church called and asked and I told!