- The church is commanded in the Scriptures to discipline its members. (Matthew 18:15-17)
-How can the instruction to take a matter to the church be followed…
If there is no clearly defined group of people to take the matter to?
2: The reality of church discipline exists. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
-Why are distinctions made of those who are “inside” & those who are “outside” the church…
If there is no clearly defined group?
-How can anyone differentiate between insiders and outsiders?
3: Christians are required to submit to their leaders. (Hebrews 13:17 & 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
-How would Christians know who to submit to if there wasn’t a clearly defined…
Set of leaders leading a clearly defined set of people?
-Can just anyone claim to be your leader & say they have authority over you?
4: Leaders are required to care for & disciple their people. (Acts 20:28 & 1 Peter 5:2)
-How would leaders know who to care for if there wasn’t a clearly defined set of people?
-Are they responsible to care for all Christians everywhere?
-How could they fairly be held accountable to people they don’t even know?
5: The metaphor of the body for the church implies membership. (1 Corinthians 12:12)
-How would a body work/function if its parts were not clearly defined?
-If body parts could come & go as they please, how would the body function?
6: Church government implies membership. (Acts 6:1-7 & Acts 15:22)
-How can deacons be picked if there was not a definable group of members to choose from?
-How would anyone reliable be chosen & who would do the choosing?
-How can there be deacons doing these things & guiding this process along…
If there are no clearly defined set of people?