Active Membership Part 1

Being a member of anything is not much use if you don't play an active part in the thing you are a member of.

If you become a member of a gym, but you never work out there; if you become a member of a library, but never borrow anything; if you become a member of the National Trust, but never visit their properties... Well, you surely get the idea. A passive membership of anything is pretty worthless. OK, let's be a bit more generous - a passive membership of anything means you don't fully value or realise your potential as a member.

Church is no different. Being a name on a membership database doesn't gain you any brownie points with Yahweh. If you never attend the church or take part in its activities or live a lifestyle Yahweh requires you'll be missing out.

Below are five 'lifestyle statements' which the Congregation of Yahweh believes its members should live out. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it's a good checklist to see if you are an active member of your church.

You see, it's not about doing these things to please the church leaders.We believe these practices are essential for growth toward becoming like Yahshua (and that's the point). They help to get us to a place where the Holy Spirit is able to transform us.

• THE BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY

“All scripture is Yah-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness” - 2 Timothy. 3:16.

Since Yahweh’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the
Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does
the Bible say?” We practise daily Bible reading and regular Bible study. The Bible is the
basis for all we believe and do.

• THE PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER

“Messiah loves us, and by his death he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom
of priests to serve Yahweh . . .” - Revelation 1:6 (GNB).
“You are. . . the king’s priests. . . Yahweh’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful
acts of Yahweh” - 1 Peter 2:9 (GNB).

The Bible teaches that every believer is called to “full-time” service in Yahweh’s kingdom
regardless of his or her vocation. We practise the truth that every believer is a minister by
encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry in the Body of Yahshua.
Everyone has his/her part to play in the growth of the Body.

• TITHING

“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to Yahweh; it is holy to Yahweh” - Leviticus 27:30 (LB).

We practise tithing, as Yahweh commands, for the support of Messiah’s Body and its
work in the world. A tithe means 1/10th of all we earn. We recognise that giving 10% of our
income to Yahweh is a biblical standard for giving. It is regarded as the starting point of
our giving, not the limit. Our giving touches many more areas than finances; for example
our time and energies.

• IMMERSION/WATER BAPTISM

“For in baptism you were buried with Messiah; and in baptism you were also raised to life
with him . . .” - Colossians 2:12 (TCV).

We practise baptism by total immersion in water – the way Yahshua was baptised, and
according to scriptural principles. We believe baptism to be part of the “new birth”
experience.

• HOLINESS

“Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” - 1 Peter 1:15 (NIV).

The Bible teaches that all believers are chosen and called to live lives that demonstrate
Yahweh’s character to the world; we’re commanded to be holy because our Father is
holy. We, therefore, make every effort to obey Yahshua’s commands and walk in sanctification.
(See Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)

To be continued..

• SEARCH ARTICLES & THOUGHTS
  SEARCH

  RESET FORM

Read our latest thought for the week...The Living Word

New Audio Devotional

Audio Devotional Moments - April 2024
The Burning Light

Faith Mail - A Monthly Encouragement

Faith Mail April 2024
Behold Our Advocates