What does a member do?

    When one becomes a member of the Lord's church, he has only begun the Christian life. He is then to begin growing in Christ. Peter wrote, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). The New Testament, the sole authority for the Lord's church, teaches that members of Christ's church are to worship (John 4:24). It is for this reason that churches of Christ meet every first day of the week to sing (Ephesians 5:19), partake of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), pray (Acts 2:42), and study God's Word (Acts 20:7). For one to forsake worship is a clear violation of Scripture: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

    Members of the Lord's church are also to evangelize. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20). This passage shows that one must be taught how to become a Christian. Therefore, those who are members of Christ's church have the privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel with others.

    The word faithful summarizes all that one should do who becomes a member of the Lord's church. Jesus said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). Faithfulness involves worshipping, studying, growing, evangelizing, etc. Those who are faithful are promised "a crown of life." This means that the faithful will enjoy eternal life in heaven. Certainly, this is motivation to live a faithful Christian life.