Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who
is the absolute Head of His Church taught in John 3:3,7 that we must be
born again to see the kingdom of God. He also taught that we can do
nothing without Him (John 15:5). So, rebirth or regeneration is the very
beginning or starting point for a christian life. The true church is
made up of such born-again or regenerated believers, not unregenerate
ones!
The value of regenerate church membership in the local church is enormous. Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit received through rebirth/regeneration, the church can experience:
-True love and unity
-True discernment and wisdom
-Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Humility, Self-Control, Meekness...
In other words, the manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is facilitated (Galatians 5:22-23). On the other hand, an unregenerate "church" would manifest the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).
Furthermore, Baptism, being a public declaration of Christian Faith and a solemn pledge of obedient discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20), and the Lord's Supper, being a true expression of agape love (John 13: 1-17; 31-35) would find their rightful meaning, significance, and expression in a regenerate church membership.
A regenerate church membership would be more obedient to the Lord's New Commandment of Love agape (John 13:34-35) and be more united in Christ (John 17:21-23). Such a body of believers would be more effective in executing the Great Commission of Our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20).
A regenerate church membership is most significant in value. It is a church composed of born-again believers who got the Holy Spirit in them. Without the Holy Spirit one cannot really live out the New Commandment of Christ (John 13:35). How can unregenerate sinners love one another as Christ has loved His disciples sacrificially unto death on the Cross? This kind of agape love does require a divine enabling power, the Holy Spirit, to manifest Himself. Thus, it is vital that the Body of Christ, the Church, is a regenerate one. Otherwise, it is a mixture of spiritually dead members mingled among the saved ones. Would this not be an unnecessary tough handicap for Church Ministry and Mission (Matthew 28:18-20)?
The value of regenerate church membership in the local church is enormous. Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit received through rebirth/regeneration, the church can experience:
-True love and unity
-True discernment and wisdom
-Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Humility, Self-Control, Meekness...
In other words, the manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is facilitated (Galatians 5:22-23). On the other hand, an unregenerate "church" would manifest the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).
Furthermore, Baptism, being a public declaration of Christian Faith and a solemn pledge of obedient discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20), and the Lord's Supper, being a true expression of agape love (John 13: 1-17; 31-35) would find their rightful meaning, significance, and expression in a regenerate church membership.
A regenerate church membership would be more obedient to the Lord's New Commandment of Love agape (John 13:34-35) and be more united in Christ (John 17:21-23). Such a body of believers would be more effective in executing the Great Commission of Our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20).
A regenerate church membership is most significant in value. It is a church composed of born-again believers who got the Holy Spirit in them. Without the Holy Spirit one cannot really live out the New Commandment of Christ (John 13:35). How can unregenerate sinners love one another as Christ has loved His disciples sacrificially unto death on the Cross? This kind of agape love does require a divine enabling power, the Holy Spirit, to manifest Himself. Thus, it is vital that the Body of Christ, the Church, is a regenerate one. Otherwise, it is a mixture of spiritually dead members mingled among the saved ones. Would this not be an unnecessary tough handicap for Church Ministry and Mission (Matthew 28:18-20)?
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