Why Join the Church?
Is it really important to be a member of a local church? Yes, it is. The word “church” is used in the New Testament to refer primarily to a local church, which we define as “a local body of baptized believers banded together in the name of Jesus Christ to worship and serve Him. You cannot live a successful Christian life without being part of a local church. How about you? Are you part of a local church? You are not a member of a church until you have made a personal public profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and been baptized, requesting church membership. Patterns may differ in various denominations, but all have some process for people to officially identify with that church. If you have not taken this step, here are some reasons why you should:
BECAUSE JESUS ESTABLISHED THE CHURCH. Some say, “I believe in Jesus, but I do not believe in the church. It’s a man-made institution. That is not true. Jesus said, “…on this rock I WILL build MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b). The Bible adds, “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” (Ephesians 5:25b). If Jesus loved the church that much, shouldn’t we also love the church enough to join it and help make it all He intended it to be.
BECAUSE YOU NEED THE CHURCH. Babies and children need to be in a family for food, protection and love. Christians also need to be in a spiritual family for spiritual food, protection, love, and training. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Some say, you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. While that may be technically true, what kind of Christian would they be? They could read their Bible and pray but would they? They could witness to others but would they? If they led someone to Christ, would they be able to help them grow? They could live a Godly life but would they without the prayers and help of other Christians. You need the church to live a successful Christian life.
BECAUSE THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU TO BLESS THE WORLD TODAY.
Paul called the church “…the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12 & 27). Jesus is doing through the church today much of what He did when He was here in the flesh. Someone has well said, “Ours are the only hands, feet, and voice Jesus has in the world today.” He commissioned His church to preach the gospel, teach His Word, minister to the sick and needy, and comfort the troubled. His church is to be “salt and light” upholding righteousness in a sinful dark world. Can you imagine what the world would be like without the church? If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you need to join and support a local church. Allow a local church to bless you and help you grow spiritually. Then be part of that church to be a blessing to others.
HOW TO JOIN THE CHURCH.
Salvation. First you must repent and believe in Jesus Christ whole-heartedly. Believing the gospel saves you. The word “gospel” means “good news.” Paul defines the gospel, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:1 & 3-4). -And it was for you. Do you believe the gospel? When you believe that with all your heart, you are “born again.”
Public Profession of Faith. Jesus said, “whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32). At the close of the services in most Baptist churches an invitation is given for people to come forward to either pray to receive Christ or make a previous decision public. This does not mean making a speech. It is just telling the pastor they want to take their stand professing Jesus as their Savior. Either the pastor prays with them or passes them to a counselor who answers their questions and prays with them.
Baptism. Jesus commands all who come to Him to baptized. Peter expressed this, “Repent, and everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;” (Acts 2:38). We believe baptism is immersion in water following salvation. It is a picture of the gospel, “…buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).Water baptism is not necessary for salvation but it is necessary for obedience. It pleases Jesus, blesses the new Christians and others.
Letter or Statement. If you have already been saved and baptized by immersion following your salvation…and been a member of a church of like faith in the past, you may be able to join the church on what we call the transfer of your membership by letter or the statement, confirming previous church membership.
The church is the only human institution Jesus established on earth. It will live forever. Don’t miss being part of it. Amen.