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Biblical Background for Church Membership  Paul's reference to "the majority" in 2Cor 2:6-7 seems to refer to a group commonly recognized as the church's members. Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. - The early church kept a list of widows. We know from the widow list mentioned in 1Tim 5:9 that lists of people were kept and tracked. If widows were listed, it is likely that a list of current members was kept and updated as well.
- God Himself keeps a list of all believers. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life (Phil 4:3). …and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into [the New Jerusalem], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27).
- God has always made a clear distinction between His people and the world. Drawing this distinction was the reason for the ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Covenant - these laws distinguished Israel from the nations surrounding them, as a people set apart to the Lord. Such clarity of distinction between God's people and the world argues for clarity and specificity on our membership rolls.
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