Membership of the Church

Aim: to give pupils a fuller understanding of church membership and its importance.

Point of Contact: Who may become a member of a Baptist church and what is required?

I. Requirements for Membership in a New Testament Church.

A. Regeneration.

1. Nowhere in the New Testament is there the slightest hint that any, save those claiming regeneration were admitted to the churches.

2. Always salvation was a prerequisite to church membership. Acts 2:47, 41,42.

3. Church members were always addressed as "children of God", "saints in Jesus Christ", "followers of the Lord", etc.

B. Baptism.

1. The New Testament order was to hear the Word, believe it and then be baptized. Acts 2:41.

2. All church members were baptized believers.

3. To become a member of a Baptist church, one must make a public profession of their salvation and be baptized.

II. The three ways a Church receives members.

A. By profession of faith in Christ, followed by scriptural baptism.

This means the individual states that he has accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and that he wishes to be baptized into the church.

B. By church letter.

The individual presents himself as one already saved, baptized, and a member of a Baptist church. It is customary then for the church which the individual is a member to grant a letter stating that he is a member in good standing. Acts 1:15. (Number of Names.) These "letters" are exchanged for the purpose of keeping church records straight and to verify the status of the applicant.

C. By Statement.

Sometimes it is possible, due to loss of records, fires, etc., for an individual to get a church letter. He is then received on his own statement of the fact that he has been saved and scripturally baptized.

III. Privileges of Baptist Church Members.

A. The government of a Baptist church is a simple democracy. (Acts 6:5; 15:22)

1.There are no ranks in the membership, no orders in the ministry, every member is free and equal.

2. Each member is entitled to one vote on all matters at issue and the church abides by the opinion of the majority.

B. A few of the many privileges of a Baptist church member.

1. Direct access to God: no priest or pope. (Ephesians 3:12)

2. You can approach God for one another as Christians.

3. You are free to participate in the mutual fellowship with the saints in the observance of the ordinances and in the spread of the gospel.

4. You possess the Word of God for yourself and interpret it as you are led by the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13)

5. You are free in conscience to recognize no authority but God in all matters of religion.

IV. The Obligation of Baptist Church Members.

A. Attend the services of the church. (Hebrews 10:25)

B. Participate in the worship and ordinances of the church. (I Corinthians 11:24,25)

C. Contribute liberally and regularly for its support. (Malachi 3:8-10)

D. Use our talents in anyway we can for the advancement of the work of the Lord. (Colossians 3:17)

E. Live a life that will never bring reproach on the name of Christ nor His church. (Ephesians 4:22; 5:17)

V. How membership in the church ceases.

(There are three ways membership in a Baptist Church ceases.)

A. By death.

B. By exclusion. (I Corinthians 5:9-13)

This is the duty of the church when a member persists in walking disorderly.

C. By letter of dismissal from one church to another of like faith.

Questions

1. What are the two requirements for membership in a Baptist church?

2. What are three ways a church receives members?

3. What is the government of the local church called?

4. What are some of the privileges of a Baptist church member?

5. What are some of the obligations of a Baptist church member?

6. How does membership in a Baptist church cease?

Discussion: Why should every Christian join a Baptist church?