d. b. knox and church membership

for the past two weeks i have been reading some of the writings of d. b. knox (1916-1994). knox served the church in australia for the majority of his life, holding the position of principal of moore theological college from 1959 to 1985 and founding george whitefield college in south africa in 1988. i have found knox's writings, especially about the church as "the fellowship which God has with us and which we have with one another" (works, ii, 22), extremely encouraging. in the essays comprising the section on "the church," he says things that i have been thinking about for the last year or so while considering biblically the doctrine of the church. below is a brief selection from knox's brilliant essay, "church, churches, and denominations:"

"The unity of the visible church consists of accepting into full membership of the congregation all true believers who happen to be in the congregation at the meeting of the congregation. It is Christ's church; he has gathered all its members. Every one who is Christ's and has been gathered by him is as true a member of that congregation or church, though it may be the first time he has been present at that particular gathering, as those who have met in the same place before and are the usual members of that visible church. Since the visible church has no purpose or mission beyond being the church, that is, being the fellowship of Christ's people, there is no need for any further qualification for membership at that church than being one of Christ's people and being present. Thus the unity of the heavenly church is expressed in the unity of the visible church by the complete acceptance into full fellowship of all who call upon the name of the Lord.

Of course, if members of the visible church wish to club together to transact business beyond being a church (which has no business apart from fellowship with Christ, and with one another in Christ), then explicit membership or a membership roll may be necessary. But it is not a church roll, but a roll of persons with certain qualifications who are also church members. But membership of the church, that is, of the congregation, and participation equally and fully in all the activities of the congregation (which consist only of fellowship with Christ and with one another) must not be restricted to those on a membership roll, or to those who have been immersed, or to those who have been confirmed, for these are not requirements of God for membership of the body of Christ" (works, ii, 94-95).

more to follow...