Beckett examines how believers outside traditional church membership can grow spiritually through gifted teachers and pastors whom Christ distributes to the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:8, 11-13), arguing that geographic scattering does not prevent edification when believers utilize modern means of fellowship and study Scripture together. She emphasizes that spiritual maturity comes through the Holy Spirit's teaching (2 Tim. 2:15) working through gifted men who equip the saints, and that Christ himself—imputed as our justification, righteousness, wisdom, and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:31)—is the foundation of all growth in grace regardless of formal church membership status.
What does the Bible say about growing in faith without church membership?
The Bible emphasizes the role of gifted teachers in equipping the body of Christ for growth, regardless of formal church membership.
Moreover, the importance of personal study and reliance on the Holy Spirit cannot be understated. As noted in 2 Timothy 2:15, each believer is called to study to show themselves approved, demonstrating that spiritual growth is a personal responsibility fostered by interaction with gifted teachers and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is ultimately the one who instills truth in our hearts, enabling us to grow and mature in our faith journey.
Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:15
How do we know that God provides teachers for spiritual growth?
The Bible explicitly states that Christ provides gifted teachers to equip believers for ministry and spiritual growth.
Furthermore, the testimony of believers who engage with these gifts reveals their transformative impact. By learning from pastors and teachers who are grounded in Scripture, individuals can gain profound insights into the truths of the Gospel, thereby enriching their understanding and love for Christ. These resources enable us to reflect on the immensity of Christ’s work, as outlined in passages like 1 Corinthians 1:31, which states that we should boast in the Lord for our righteousness and sanctification in Him. Thus, knowing that God provides teachers is foundational for encouraging believers in their spiritual growth and nourishing their faith.
Ephesians 4:8, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 1:31
Why is fellowship important for Christians?
Fellowship among believers facilitates growth, prayer, and the sharing of truths, fostering strength in faith.
Engaging with fellow believers around the teachings of Scripture enhances our understanding and reinforces our faith journey. For example, when discussing profound truths such as the imputation of Christ's righteousness, as mentioned in the original content, believers share in the joy of understanding these deep doctrines together. Additionally, fellowship allows us to pray for one another and support each other in our spiritual walks. As a body of believers, each person brings unique gifts and insights, contributing to the overall growth and unity of the faith community. Therefore, fellowship is not merely about companionship; it is integral to the spiritual health of individuals and the church as a whole.
Hebrews 10:24-25
It’s been wondered how those who aren’t members of a ‘church’ can be fed, how they can grow and mature in the faith, how do they know what to believe doctrinally and how do they have fellowship without the bond of church membership? So many things are assumed and yet no one has inquired as to the answers to these questions which is perfectly understandable. I’m sure that there is fear of heresy, fear of getting too close in case I rub off and all the usual fears that we have about something that is different from what we practice. I think that perhaps the word practice is a very key word in all these thoughts and questions and should be considered within Christendom.
Teachers/Pastors
Christ gave gifts to men (Eph 4:8) and certain of those gifts are given to the Body of Christ in men gifted to be teachers and pastors. (Eph 4:11) They are to be equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and for edification until we all come to the unity of the faith.
I think it has been assumed that because I am not a member of the ‘church’ at this time in my life that I have thrown away what Christ has given and that is very far from the truth. I have three gifted/godly teachers in my life that I currently study with and whose knowledge I glean truth from; one is a pastor who has a small assembly in Colorado, I receive his taped ministry and we correspond and talk on the phone occasionally. I ask him whatever comes to mind and he answers and we may disagree on some things but we have the freedom to do that. Each one of them ministers their gifts to the Body of Christ, of which I am a member. We, the Body of Christ are greatly blessed and we benefit by those gifts.
The difference in my practice, in part at least, from yours is that some of those I fellowship with are scattered geographically, while others are here. The ones that are scattered obviously cannot gather in a building or a home together to be edified in truth and face to face fellowship. Nevertheless we are edified in various other ways utilizing the internet especially. We gather on Sunday nights for voice conference and we bring our concerns to prayer and we are taught the great Truths of the Scripture. Last week, as an example, Brother Bob brought to us the 2nd half of “Gospel Principals of Imputation”and we all rejoiced in hearing the depth of the riches of Christ and that Christ and all that He is and has done is what is imputed to us. The Scripture doesn’t say that He provided but that He IS our justification/righteousness, He is our wisdom and our sanctification so that is why we can say “Let Him who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Cor 1:31) Christ is all.
We are each to study to show ourselves approved (2 Ti 2:15) and we do that with the help of gifted men who have these gifts and I’m thankful for them, very thankful. These gifts are priceless to a believer who yearns and longs to grow up to a perfect (mature) believer and we each grow in our proportion of the gifts that Christ has given to each of us. (Eph 4:13) I listen to others as well; I’ve listened to the series on the Gospel given by the pastor of the church I left and was blessed as I always am when I hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of who preaches it.
The greatest gift that we have is the Holy Spirit who teaches us what He wants us to know, men cannot do that. They can impart words and knowledge and the words can be truth but only the Spirit can and does effectively teach us those truths and instills those new Gospel principals in our hearts. That is how we all grow and mature and are fed.
To be continued with Koinania/Fellowship….
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