Benjamin Keach continues to explain the order of a biblical church by unfolding the requirements for church membership and the responsibilities of church members.
Requirement for Church Membership
That every person before they are admitted as members, in such a church so constituted, must declare to the church (or to such with the pastor, that they shall appoint) what God has done for their souls, or their experiences of a saving work of grace upon their hearts. Moreover, the church should enquire after and take full satisfaction concerning their holy lives, or good conversations.1
Responsibilities of Church Membership
When admitted into membership, they must solemnly enter into a covenant before the church to walk in the fellowship of that particular congregation. They must submit themselves to the care and discipline thereof2 and to walk faithfully with God in all his holy ordinances.
They agree to be fed, have communion, and worship God there, when the church meets (if possible); and give themselves up to the watch and charge of the pastor and ministry thereof.3
The pastor then, signifying in the name of the church their acceptance of each person, and endeavors to take the care of them, and to watch over them in the Lord (the members being first satisfied to receive them and to have communion with them). And so, the pastor is to give them the right hand of fellowship of a church, or church organic.
A church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a pastor elder or elders and deacons (we reading of no other oflicers or oflices abiding in the church), And, what kind of men they ought to be, and how qualified, is laid down by Paul to Timothy and to Titus.
Moreover, they are to take special care that bishops, overseers, or elders, as well as the deacons, have in some competent manner all those qualifications; and after in a day of solemn prayer and fasting, that they have elected them, (whether pastor, etc., or deacons) and they accepting the office, must be ordained with prayer, and laying on of hands of the eldership; being first proved, and found meet and fit persons for so sacred an office.
Therefore, such are very disorderly churches who have no pastor or pastors ordained; they acting not according to the rule of the gospel, having something wanting.4
Ps. 66:16, Acts 11:4-6, &c., 23-24. 1 Pet. 3:15, 2 Cor. 8:5, Jer. 50:5.
Heb. 13:17.
1 Peter 5:1–2.
1 Tim. 3:2-7, Tit. 1:5-10, Tit. 1:7, Acts 6:6, 1 Tim. 5:22, 1 Cor. 9:16–17.