Originally Posted by staythecourse

Membership is convenient for all but Biblically speaking Christians were evident in the Bible and early church history. If I were Sola Scriptura I could not enforce membership now. It's extra-biblical. I am a member now but my brothers are obvious: We attend, we are involved, we help each other, we tell others of Christ. Then there are those that show up and leave each Lord's Day.

I went through the ritual, stood before the congregation, had the pastor speak for me (not a great idea imo) and shook hands with people (I had already been baptised). The members are evident. The players are, too.