Becoming A Church Member

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Acts 2:1-4

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

As we read in the book of Acts about the explosive growth of the early church, it's impossible to ignore the contrast between that time and our modern-day society. While the desire to belong to a group remains strong, many Christians today avoid church membership for a variety of reasons. Some have experienced conflict, judgment, or disappointment in previous churches, leaving them hesitant to commit again. Others have been disillusioned by public scandals involving fallen church leaders or are uncomfortable with the idea of being associated with a particular denomination. There is also the concern that joining a church will demand too much time or require them to give up certain personal freedoms. Additionally, disagreements over the church's teachings or doctrines have caused many believers to avoid formal membership, leading them to prefer to move from church to church rather than settling down.

Despite the shortcomings of the church, it remains the bride of Christ. Yes, we are a group of flawed, sinful beings, yet despite our diversity and sharp differences of opinion, we are united through one Spirit, one baptism, one faith, one Lord, and “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6). When we became new creations in Christ, our hearts were filled with a zeal to share the comfort, grace, mercy, and forgiveness we've received with what we now consider our spiritual family (2 Corinthians 5:17). Church membership deepens this connection, providing a place to grow spiritually, receive support and encouragement, and hold one another accountable in our walk with Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It also gives us a platform to use our spiritual gifts, talents, and time to serve the body of Christ, offering us the opportunity to contribute to something greater than ourselves. The eternity God has placed within us (Ecclesiastes 3:11) compels us to live lives worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27) — refusing to keep records of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5), confessing our sins to one another (James 5:16), and building each other up in the faith. While moving from church to church may offer the convenience of remaining unattached, as we mature in the faith, we are called—like the early church in Acts—to plant ourselves in a local church, using our gifts to further its mission. Today’s sermon will explore the many benefits of church membership, from the sense of belonging and spiritual growth to the joy of serving together. I hope to clear up any misgivings and encourage you to fully commit to this wonderful church God has provided for us.

Commitment to Doctrine and Teaching

Church membership offers the opportunity to grow spiritually and serve one another in the body of Christ, using our gifts to glorify God and build His kingdom. A couple I once met, who had been part of several denominations, asked about the requirements for joining our church. This question opened the door for me to explain the core beliefs we hold dear in our church—beliefs that shape both our unity and our purpose. While we are Baptist, we are first and foremost Christian, and our faith can be summarized by two key doctrines. First, we affirm the Lordship of Christ, meaning Jesus is Lord over both the church and the individual. Salvation is not achieved through works or penance (Ephesians 2:8-9), but by faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection—there is no other way to God (John 14:6). Salvation is more than reciting a prayer; it involves genuine faith and a heartfelt declaration of Jesus as Lord over one’s life (Romans 10:9). True faith in God must also be evident in our actions, with every area of a believer’s life and the church submitted to God’s supreme authority. We gladly bow our knee to Him, the Lord of all, seen and unseen (Colossians 1:16). Our submission to Christ’s Lordship is inseparable from our belief in the authority of Scripture, which shapes our understanding of God's will and directs the life of the church. Just as Christ is Lord, Scripture remains central to our faith and practice.