*Study* What is church membership and why do we have it?

Intro

You may have heard about membership at a church…

Someone may have asked you if you are a member…

Many assume because they regularly attend a church it automatically makes them a member…

That’s not true and we will look at why scripturally…

The early church set the process for us

Acts 2:41 (KJV 1900)

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Church membership came last…

a.) Saved (those that gladly received his word)

Acts 8:12 (KJV 1900)

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:36–37 (KJV 1900)

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 10:47 (KJV 1900)

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 16:30–34 (KJV 1900)

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Acts 18:8 (KJV 1900)

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

No infants… no unbelievers… only a saved person is the right candidate for salvation…

Baptism is done to identify with doctrine:

Acts 19:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Rebaptism identifies with the church doctrine…

b.) Baptized

c.) added to the church

d.) Christian growth (continued steadfastly)

There really is a few things that happen at salvation…

You are “baptized” into the body of Christ… the overall church (Christ’s children)

It does not make you “baptized” into the local church…

Baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation

1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV 1900

13 For 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.

Matthew 3:11 KJV 1900

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

What does Church membership mean for me?

Participation in church government (voting)

Participation in ministry leadership (teacher, bus worker, choir member, etc.)

A home church you have committed to

Accountability - under authority of the local church

I Corinthians 10 we are to be “one faith”… upon baptism you are identifying your salvation (what God did inside) with the people on the outside. You are recognizing his death, burial and resurrection as your salvation… it is the “picture” or “likeness” or “figure” of salvation, but not salvation itself.

Acts 19 displays people who were rebaptized…