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  MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: To be a true member of a local church, one must first be a
member of the universal church, reborn and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Topics: "Church Membership", "Universal Church"
Scripture References: Matthew 10:40, Acts 2:47, Ephesians 2:19

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the distinction between membership in the local
church and the universal church, arguing that true membership requires a
spiritual rebirth and acceptance of Christ. He critiques the practice of
allowing anyone to join a church without proper spiritual
transformation, asserting that one must first be part of the universal
church, which Jesus redeemed with His blood. Tozer stresses that
accepting Christ inherently means accepting His people, as the church is
the body of Christ. He encourages believers to seek the Shepherd by
being among His flock, reinforcing the idea that rejecting the church is
akin to rejecting Christ Himself.

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CONTENT
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Sometimes people come into the local church who have never come into the
universal church. People join a church who have never been born into the
true church. Some churches actually throw the doors open and say, "Now
we'll sing the closing hymn for those who want to unite with the church.
Come to the front." Al Capone could come in and join. Nobody asks any
questions; they just take in anybody. I do not believe in that at all,
and I know you do not either. I believe that if you are going to get
into a local church, you should first be in the universal church, which
Jesus purchased with His own blood. You should get into the church with
rebirth, the Holy Spirit and regeneration. Then you should join a local
assembly.

It is impossible to receive Christ and reject His people.

How do you find the Shepherd? Go where the sheep are! If you do not know
where the Shepherd is, then go where the sheep are. All else being
equal, that is where you will find the Shepherd. Whoever receives Christ
must receive His people too. Jesus said, "He who receives you receives
me" (Matthew 10:40a). Whoever rejects the bride rejects the Bridegroom,
and whoever rejects the flock rejects the Shepherd. I think that is
clear enough.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/membership-in-the-universal-church/
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