SEMESTER 4
353 – The Church Covenant and the Transfer of Membership
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY IV LESSON # 53
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – REGARDING TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
Read: 1 Cor. 16:1-5
and Acts 18:1,2,18-28
INTRODUCTION:
1. Today’s practice of moving church membership is vague.
2. Some people expect to “Carry their letter with them.”
3. Others think we can just “Take my name off the role.”
4. Some feel they can join anything they please!
5. Let us expose some error and set forth proper order.
I. WHEN DO WE “UNITE WITH ANOTHER CHURCH”
1. Not at will for superficial reasons or no reason at all.
III: By the parallel to our marriage commitment.
2. The covenant idea is that our living place is changed.
3. Otherwise, we move due to spiritual adultery in a church.
II. UNITE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
1. How often do you hear we have been saying “We need to…”
III: By the silly reference “He is a trunk Baptist”
2. You have covenanted to do it as soon as possible.
3. That means you take enough, but only enough, time to know.
III. OUR CHANGE MUST CARRY ON THE SPIRIT OF THIS COVENANT
1. This relationship was started with baptism of confession.
2. Thus it demands joining a church of like faith and order.
III: But what if I have covenanted with the wrong kind of Church?
3. It forbids joining for social or economic reasons.
4. It commits to a continuation of this present effort.
IV. THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION IS BIBLICAL DOCTRINE
1. Many people just move within associational boundaries.
2. This can be fine if it is only for reference sake.
3. You do not have the right to join or remain in error.
i. As to the doctrine of salvation by pure grace.
ii. As to Theology, i.e., doctrines of who God is.
iii. As to the doctrines and practices of a church.
4. We do not have the right to grant such letters.
III: Some grant within associations and discourage all else.
5. Let us take this business as being serious and urgent.
III: It is as urgent as getting your children into school.
6. The articles of faith that follow are a good guide for this.