Basic Baptist Doctrine

Bethel MBC

Lesson #20   7/2/08

From a lesson taught by

Elder A. Hood 2/7/02

The Laity

The word “laity” is defined as: “the body of religious worshippers, as distinguished from the clergy.”  For our purposes, a lay member is one who does not hold one of the scriptural offices (pastor or deacon).  The term is not found in the Bible, but the idea is clearly implied.  Lay members make up the highest percentage of church membership and have equal importance in church membership as the officers.  In fact, there has not been sufficient emphasis place upon the contributions / responsibilities of lay members.  With a productive and empowered laity, officers of the Lord’s church have no real function. 

I. Scriptural references

I Corinthians 12:1-31

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Romans 12:4-8

4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Ephesians 2:21-22

21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

II. The Importance of Lay Members

As seen in Paul’s writings to the Corinthians, the human body is a wonderful illustration of the importance of each member.  Each person the Lord sets in His church has a contribution to make and should be an asset to the whole.  Like a body, different parts have different functions.  However, each contributes to the success and prosperity of the whole.  The is no gift or service which is more important that another and a strong, mature laity is VITAL to the success of any church!  The best pastor in the world and perfect deacons cannot overcome the effects of a lethargic laity…Much like a paralyzed physical body.  Each lay member should ask themselves, “What can I do to contribute to the success and well-being of this body?” 

III. Biblical Examples

a. Luke – A Gentile Physician; wrote a gospel account and the book of Acts

b. Mark – wrote a gospel account

c. Acquilla and Priscilla – had a church in their home and helped Paul and Apollos a great deal

d. Paul mentions several people in his epistles which were of great worth to his ministry and the churches of that day.  This people were often lay members.

Romans 16:3-15

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them

IV. Other Thoughts

Have you ever heard or thought yourself, “What can I do?  I’m not a preacher or a deacon.  I don’t teach Sunday School or help with VBS.”  Some seem content to fill a pew and ease their sense of duty.  Others feel a need to progress personally and have a desire to see the church mature and experience the conversion of souls.  What can each and every one of us do to promote the advancement of Bethel MBC

1. Be at church!

It seems pretty easy, but it sure can become easy to be inconsistent with our church attendance…not to speak of our participation!  Satan likes to convince us that we don’t really matter to the body, but I have been either encouraged by someone’s attendance or vice versa.  Simply being there, consistently, speaks volumes!!

Hebrews 10:24-25

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2. The “I’m just one” syndrome

Each person has the potential to make a difference!  What if David had refused to fight Goliath?  If Elisha had left Elijah’s mantle on the ground or Joshua and refused to led God’s people into Canaan?  On and on the examples are evident of the power of one when submitting ourselves into and under the authority of our Lord!

3. Be active!

Sometimes we focus more upon the things we cannot do rather than the things we can do.  I’ve often listened to folks enumerate to me the many things they are poor at or afraid of and I think to myself, “Well, what CAN you do then?!?!?”  God doesn’t ask for Herculean feats from us.  He just wants us to be willing and active at His command and direction.

4. Be consistent!

This is BIG.  I, for one, am very sensitive to consistency or a lack thereof.  I have seen folks come into revival services and sing and shout, testify, cry unto the Lord and seemingly be on fire.  Then, a month or two after the revival, they are gone out into the world again.  I’ve also seen members stand and “ream the church out” for a lack of concern for lost souls, etc and then miss several nights of a revival because of ballgames.  My personal favorite was when a member asked the church to meet again the next night because he “just felt like we need to” and then he didn’t show up for church the next night!!  These type of things are not lost upon our brethren.  Likewise, someone who is ALWAYS present and willing is a great strength to the body.

5. Communicate the gospel

If our preachers are the only ones conveying the gospel message to people, we are doing a pitiful job overall.  Each member of a church has the obligation to share the good news as often as the Lord provides opportunity.

6. Give your opinion and vote your conscience

Were there disagreements between God’s people in the Bible.  You bet.  Then why do we painstakingly avoid confrontation and the expression of conflicting opinions?  If someone doesn’t agree, they just may not vote…thus, displaying a passive aggression or display of resistance.  Perhaps your “differing opinion” is what is right and needs to be voiced!

7. Be unified

Each member should strive to obtain unity with their brethren.  There is no “they”s and “we”s in the Lord’s church.  We are to be united.  That doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but the basic love, respect and cooperation should be present at all times.

8. Support the work of the church

Prayerfully, financially and willingly seek the progression and proliferation of God’s kingdom

9. Study the Word

Too many of God’s people go into daily battle with Saul’s armor.  They don’t trust the Lord to equip them and thus, they take what someone else has offered (taught) them and off they go!  God wants to equip each of us and our personal prayer and study is ESSENTIAL to this process

10. Give and Take

Are you a giver or a taker in regards to the church?  There tend to be many more takers than givers.    

11. RESPECT the Bride

We should support and respect the Bride of Christ as we would our own espoused.  How we treat the Lord’s church is very telling as to how we view and consider the Lord!  I have some very high regards and respect for certain women in this world because of who their husbands happen to be.

YOU are important.  YOU are wanted and YOU are needed.  May the Lord bless each of us to be the best lay members He can make us become!