Membership

Acts 2:47 “…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

All people who have been genuinely born again are members of the universal Church. However, Scripture most frequently speaks of Christians as members of a local church. Scripture is full of exhortations and commands to be practically joined together with other believers. No one can rightly say, “I don’t need other Christians”, or “I’m only a member of the universal Church.”

“It is both foolish and wicked to suppose that we will make much progress in sanctification if we isolate ourselves from the visible church. Indeed, it is commonplace to hear people declare that they don’t need to unite with a church to be a Christian. They claim that their devotion is personal and private, not institutional or corporate. This is not the testimony of the great saints of history; it is the confession of fools.” R.C. Sproul

Furthermore, we believe that God has a local church for every believer where they can both serve and be equipped. The challenge for each believer is to find that church and take his or her place there.

I Cor 12:18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”

Going through this Discovery Workshop will give you time to pray and seek the Lord’s leading, as well as give you a Scriptural basis on which to make your commitment to membership. As you do this, we believe you will begin to clearly sense in your heart if this is where God is placing you.

THE WHY’S OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

The Lord is prompting people from all backgrounds to realize their urgent need for involvement in a local church. In fact, commitment to a local church, as seen in Scripture is a biblical command for all Christians to obey. Therefore, let’s realize the two aspects of membership for a believer:

ALL GENUINE BELIEVERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE
UNIVERSAL BODY OF CHRIST

Our common denominator with Christians worldwide of all nationalities, ages, and “kindred’s and tongues” is the Foundation, the Head, the Cornerstone of the whole Church – Jesus.
Eph 1:22 “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…”

Col 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

SCRIPTURE ALSO SPEAKS OF CHRISTIANS AS
MEMBERS OF A LOCAL CHURCH

Most of Paul’s writings were directed to individual churches (the churches at Philippi, Corinth, etc.). Scripture is full of exhortations for believers to be connected, joined and devoted together by commitment. The entire church is “built up” by that which each member is to supply.

Eph 4:15-16 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

No one can properly say, “I don’t have a need for other Christians.” This is untrue and contrary to biblical teaching.

1 Cor 12:14-16 “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.”

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH

• Transfer of Letter from another Baptist Church.
• By Statement from another denomination (given testimony of faith in Christ and baptism).
• By Baptism, having accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

In any case, each prospective member should attend and complete the Discovery Class. Following the class, a New Member Interview will be arranged and completed with a pastor. Upon satisfactorily completing the class and the interview, the prospective member is then presented and affirmed at a church conference or gathering.