The New Testament letters to churches all share one revolutionary feature. They are addressed to the whole assembly of believers. They were read out to the entire church and explained by the mailman—sometimes Timothy, sometimes Titus. In Ephesians, the mailman was a little-known member of Paul’s team named Tychicus (Ephesians 6.21-22).
The letters were not addressed to the pastor. They were not addressed to the elders. They were not addressed to the apostles’ favorite people. The assembly of believers—both men and women, slaves and free, Jews and Gentiles, newest converts included—heard the same words read publicly at the same time.
This is because the apostles viewed churches as partners. The famous word koinonia, which is usually translated “fellowship,” carries a strong sense of partnership. Linked arms. Common mission. United in action, not just sentiment.
Since the believers in the churches were partners, they needed to hear the apostles’ words directly.
You didn’t become a partner just by showing up on the Lord’s Day.
Believers were baptized and trained (Matthew 28.18-20). Teachers were vetted, tested, and if necessary corrected (Acts 18.24-28; 2 Corinthians 11.12-15; James 3.1; 2 John 7-11). Sometimes a believer was put out of fellowship (1 Corinthians 5). Those who turned back to Christ were to be received again with love (2 Corinthians 2.5-11). Believers were often called to specific ministries (e.g. Romans 16.1-16).
All believers need to be ready to do that work. A primary way that we create partnership at BG is through membership.
A church is a treasure chest of truth and love. The treasure must be guarded, invested, and passed on to future generations. We all do that work together. We grow in our knowledge of the truth so that we can pass on a saving faith to others. We support each other through challenges. We hold each other to account.
We have another membership class on Sunday, October 15th. It will include lunch starting at 12:30 in the Ministry Center. In that time, we will talk about some of the unique and vital aspects of life at BG. I hope you will join us!