1.Many churches sprinkle babies then they are
confirmed at a certainage and they become church members
2.
Adults merely indicate a desire to join and they are admitted
3.
In the past, a king would become a Catholic and his whole kingdom would become Catholics automatically
4.
In these examples there is no requirement of personal faith or true baptism
I.Saved,
Baptized Church Membership
A.Acts
1:15
15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and
said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
1.The
first church had an established, recognized membership
2.This
was an assembly in the upper room
3.A
record was kept of the number present, and that number was associated with the
church
4.The
word “names” used here instead of “people” suggests that a record was kept of
those present
B.Acts
1:17
17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
1.This
shows that the church had a recognized membership
C.The
Church Had an Organization
1.They
had a treasurer
a)Jn
12:6 – “Judas had the bag”
6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a
thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
b)John 13:29For some of
them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy
those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give
something to the poor.
c)The
church received offerings in some manner
d)The
money was dispensed to meet the needs of the church
e)Some
of the money was used to help the poor
2.They
had an election – Acts 1
3.They
had definite requirements for membership
a)Acts 2:47Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.
b)Acts 2:41Then they
that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.
c)Note
the order in vs 41 above
4.Church
members are always addressed as
a)Children
of God – Gal 3:26
b)Saints
or faithful brethren – Col 1:2; Eph 1:1
II.Three
Ways to Receive Members
1.Profession
of faith in Christ followed by scriptural baptism
2.By
church letter from another Baptist church of like faith and order
3.By
statement
4.By
reinstatement
III.
Benefits of Saved, Baptized Church Members
A.It
Protects the Purity of the Church and It’s Teachings
B.It
Helps to Unify the Church Since All Members Believe the Same Thing About
Salvation and There is Less Division
C.It
Encourages People to Obey the Scriptures
IV.
Privileges of Baptist Church Members
A.Membership
in the Church that Jesus Started
B.The
Ability to Glorify God Through the Church
1.1 Corinthians 12:7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal. 11But all these worketh that
one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
18But now hath God set the members
every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular.
2.1 Peter 4:10-11As
every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as
the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which
God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
C.Fellowship
with Other Members
D.Take
Part in the Ordinances
E.Contribute
to the Church
F.Believers Will Grow More Because of the Regular
Attendance