Class 3: Why Join a Church?

April 11th, 2026
by Matt Caporale

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

Class 3: Why Join A Church?

Background

The Purpose of the Church in the Book of Ephesians

Context:

Chapter 1: beautiful description of our salvation.
Chapter 2, Part 1: How we’re saved (Ephesians 2:4)
Chapter 2, Part 2- Chapter 3: Primary implication of our salvation (Ephesians 3:6)

Why did God do all this?

“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities on the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Ephesians 3:10-11

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

A Biblical Case for Church Membership

How does the Bible call Christians to relate within the local church?

Love One Another:

1 Peter 2:17 :“Love the brotherhood”
Galatians 6:10: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Romans 15:1: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Romans 12:13, 15-16: “Contribute to the needs ode to the saints and seek to show hospitality…rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.”

Encourage One Another:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 : “encourage one another and build one another up.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 : “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Guard One Another:

Hebrews 12:15-16 : “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God: that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy…”
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 : “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present is spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Obey Your Leaders:

Hebrews 13:17 : “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
- What are the implications for church members?
- What are the implications for church leaders?