Baptism and Membership. Kew Baptist Church

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1 Baptism and Membership Kew Baptist Church In the New Testament there is no such person as a Christian who is not a church member. Conversion was described as the Lord adding to the church (Acts 2:47). There was no spiritual drifting. (Douglas Millar). Church is not an organisation you join; it is a family where you belong, a home where you are loved and a hospital where you find healing. (Nicky Gumbel) We are a church that seeks to welcome everyone: non-believers, spiritual seekers, agnostics, Christians from other churches and people from all walks of life. We respect that people are at different stages of their spiritual journey and all are welcome. But whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we are a community of faith intentionally centred on and committed to following Jesus. Moreover, if you are a committed follower of Jesus and believe God has called you to KBC as your spiritual home and family we invite you to take Jesus call to discipleship seriously and become a church member. Of course, you can be a sincere and devoted follower of Jesus at KBC and not be a memberwe get that. But ask yourself, why not?. What would stop you from taking a step to join this community of faith in following Jesus together by becoming a member? I may only be around for a couple of years: no problem and discipleship is for life anyway. I don t think I have time: This isn t about doing extra stuff but orienting your whole life towards Jesus. I have a theological issue with membership and/or baptism: That s ok, can we talk about it with you? I m a member of another denomination and was Christened as an infant: You are welcome! Perhaps think of membership as another name for discipleship it is a way to express your commitment to following Jesus at a particular church and with a particular community of people. And just as baptism is an act that symbolises a person s decision to follow Christ, membership is and act that symbolises commitment to a local body of Christ and to discipleship in community. It says, I m serious about growing, giving, gathering and going with a fellow group of believers on Christ s mission. Jesus never intended you to try to do this life on your own; join with him and join with a local church. And as a member of Kew Baptist- or any church, for that matter, there are some core dimensions of Christin living and practice that we need to understand. Firstly, everything begins and continues because of God s amazing grace to us in Jesus: God s Grace Jesus in Grace in Grace For he chose us in him [Jesus] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace that he lavished on us. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8 9. Then there are 4 pathways to living out God s gift of grace to us in Jesus that we commit together as a church to follow and pursue:

2 Grow the pathway to Transformation We believe each Christian is called to a life of worship and devotion, learning from Jesus each day. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to sustain us and we will intentionally work out a daily/weekly rhythm that gives priority to prayerfully reading God s Word, listening to that Word preached and applying it to our lives, and to prayer (adoration, thankfulness, confession, petition and intercession). Other disciplines we will embrace are a weekly Sabbath rest from work, solitude, repentance and confession, reading and reflecting upon good Christian literature, journaling, and enjoying the beauty and gift of creation. In a daily pattern, conducive to our personality and heart, we prioritise and schedule time to commit to prayerfully reading God s Word and to prayer. We will also embrace other spiritual disciplines, to nourish our spiritual lives and commune with Jesus. Daily we ask ourselves: What is God saying to me and doing in my life, and how will I respond to Him? Gather the pathway to Community We believe each Christian is called to love others in a community of faith and be loved in that same community. No matter what season of life we are in we will prioritise and willingly participate in gathered worship, sharing and praying more intimately with others throughout the week, being hospitable by eating with, caring for and sharing life with others in the church. We believe that God has chosen to help us and bless us in and through community. We will actively look out for one another, honour others above ourselves, and through authentic and honest friendship and sharing life together, we will create a loving and caring spiritual community that we willingly and generously participate in. Give the pathway to Generosity In response to God s ridiculously lavish generosity to us in Christ, we believe each Christian offers to God their whole lives in loving others in the church and wider community. Both spontaneously and by scheduling, we will give generously of our spiritual gifts, time, energy, possessions and money, offering them to support others in our church, support the ministry and mission of Christ, and to help those in need. We commit ourselves to answer Christ s call to daily follow and serve him in all spheres of life, being generous in response to God s generosity to us in Christ. We generously offer our whole lives to serve Christ s Church and others, and in a regular pattern, we commit to giving financially to our church and to other aid and charity needs as God guides us. Go the pathway to Purpose We believe each Christian is called to show in their lives and tell with their words, with love, respect and humility, the good news that Jesus is Lord and calls all to come to him and follow (the gospel). We will live for Jesus in the sphere of influence we find ourselves- our work, family, study, homes and friendships. We will actively engage in our culture to see it transformed by Christ. We will be committed in praying for our community and for non-christians, diligently listening to the questions and barriers people have to faith, looking for opportunities to share our personal faith with others, inviting people to connect with our church, and supporting others with a global mission call in prayer and with finance. Daily we pray for at least one person in our lives to come to faith in Jesus, be active in inviting others to church and into our homes, and prayerfully give sacrificially to support global mission. 2 P a g e

3 Why Get Baptised? By our Baptism, then, we were buried with Christ and shared His death in order that just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of God the Father, so also we might live a new life (Rom 6:4). 1. Because you want to follow Christ s example. Jesus himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9 2. Because Christ commanded it. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15; James 2:17-18) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) 3. Because it shows you are a believer. Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life (Hebrews 6:1-2). Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved..., (Mark 16:16) Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38 How are we to be Baptised? As Jesus was baptised by being immersed in water. The word baptise comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to immerse or dip under water. As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16) Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer....then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him. When they came up out of the water... (Acts 8:38,39) Who should be Baptised? Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptised (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! Those who accepted his message were baptised... Acts 2:41 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. Acts 8:12 While we place a high value on children in our community, we do not baptise children until they are old enough to understand and believe. We hold dedication ceremonies and prayers for newborns, but baptism requires that someone understand the claims of Jesus and the call to follow. While specifying an age is hard, it is reasonable to assume that around 12 years of age upwards is a good place to start. The Meaning of Baptism 3 P a g e

4 Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning. It is a symbol of Christ s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead....christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12 It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the old life and we rise to walk in a new life. Baptism is like a wedding ring it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4 Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not save you; only your faith in Christ does that. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8,9 In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptise believers...into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism confirms our position in Christ and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children. Baptism also connects us to the body of Christ, his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey....for we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body... 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 When are we to be Baptised? As soon as you have believed! You shouldn t delay. Believers in the New Testament were baptised the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptised. Those who accepted his message were baptised... Acts 2:41 Will I have to say anything? The pastor will introduce you and will give you an opportunity to tell a bit of your story of how you came to this decision to be baptised, but more importantly share what Jesus means to you. Your baptism is a great opportunity to share your faith in a non-threatening way with family and friends, so be real and avoid jargon, though it is good to refer to a particular passage of the Bible that has significance for you.. Feel free to invite them. You will be briefly prayed for and then lowered just under the water. At the time of baptism, two questions are asked. The first is a confession of faith and belief: Do you believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, is the Son of God, that he gave his life in love on the cross to forgive your sins, and that God raised him from death to life on the third day? The second is a statement of commitment and dedication Do you willingly offer up your life as a living sacrifice of worship to God, and will you wholeheartedly 4 P a g e

5 serve and follow Jesus Christ all the days of your earthly life? And after answering yes to these, the person performing the baptism says: On the basis of your confession of faith and your declaration to serve and follow Christ, I baptise you in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ God s Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I would like to get baptised. What do I do? Talk to one of our pastors, and they will arrange a time to meet with you one-to-one. We also periodically hold a Baptism Class to take a group of people through preparation for baptism. On the Following few pages is our Statement of Belief and our Kew Baptist Church Covenant. This is an attempt to plainly express what we have prayerfully discerned it means to be a follower of Jesus at KBC. It is not exhaustive and it is not a checklist to tick off; it points to type of community and life together we desire to create and nurture as we serve Christ and one another. Read it prayerfully and come back to it periodically. Church Family Membership Pathway Why enter into church membership? Think of it as joining a family. You were born into a natural family as a child, and as a Christian, you are born into a family too: the body of Christ, or, the church. Becoming a church member is the local expression of your cosmic and eternal membership of Christ s kingdom. It is now the need is great and the harvest is plentiful, so what would stop you from identifying with a particular local church family as an outward expression and commitment to the inward reality of your faith and love for God? Membership of the Kew Baptist Church is open to any person who declares faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who is willing to be committed to this church as a covenanted member, and who is in general agreement with the Statement of Beliefs. The normal practice of this church will be to accept into membership those who have been baptised by immersion upon profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, in particular circumstances, membership may be open to those not baptised in this way: 1. The person has made a profession of faith, been nurtured within a recognised Christian tradition, has been a member in good standing or has participated in the life of the congregation in that tradition. 2. The person is able conscientiously to affirm both the validity of his or her initiation into and ministry within that tradition, and his or her sense of call to belong to Kew Baptist Church. 3. The person can affirm the covenant and doctrinal basis of this congregation, including the normative nature of believers baptism. However, having studied the Baptist position and the claims of Scripture, his or her experience within a Christian tradition makes it inappropriate to accept believers baptism for themselves. All applicants for membership will be required to: 1. Participate in discussing the covenant, doctrinal basis and responsibilities of membership. 2. Be interviewed by nominated church representatives, clarifying that he/she: a. Respects and understands the traditions of the Baptist Church regarding believers baptism; b. Has demonstrated the value or significance to themselves of their own journey of faith; 5 P a g e

6 c. Has formed a reasonable basis for their conscientious objection to believers baptism (in cases where this is relevant); 3. Believe that it is God s will for them to enter into the life and witness of this congregation. 4. Make a public declaration of faith. For members applying for membership at the time of their baptism, this process will form part of the pre-baptism discussion. If, as a result of the interview and discussion process, a recommendation in favour of membership is to be made, it must be brought to a Church meeting and be accepted by a two-thirds majority of members present. If a person seeks to become a member of the church, having been a member of another church, a letter of commendation must be sought from that other church. Next Steps You may have gathered we take Church Family Membership seriously. Why? We want to be clear about who we are, what we believe and what we are calling our members to regarding their discipleship. After reading through this material, the first step is to sit down for a conversation with one of our pastors. Depending on whether you are transferring membership, considering baptism, or wanting to enter membership without baptism, we can then work out a pathway forward. 6 P a g e

7 Baptist Church Membership: A Theological Perspective Dr Ross Langmead How would we see the questions of church membership if we began with theology? That is, what difference would it make if we began by asking who God is, what it means for God to call into existence the new community and what it means to belong to the body of Christ? The only reason there is a church to belong to is that the three-in-one God lives in community and invites the world to respond to this in new community. So the church, for all of its failings, is not merely a human institution, but is called into existence by God. We could name three dimensions: It is a call to worship, in communion with God. It is a call to community as the people of God. And it is a call to mission as disciples of Jesus. All together it is a call to participate in the divine community. So, to quote Frank Rees, Church membership is fundamentally about the Trinitarian life of God, into which we are invited. God lives in and as community, and invites us into community. This means, first of all, that membership is a divine calling. It is an action of God. Jesus said to his followers, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you.' (John 15.16) It is God who calls, gifts, enables, and constitutes the life of faith. It is given to us to receive and indwell, not to create and perform. It means, secondly, that membership is a gift, a gift of belonging. In the creation stories, all creatures are brought into being by God, to be with God and with each other. To be is to belong, to be related. Western individualism is an unbiblical view of human life. Community is essentially about relationship and mutual responsibility. In community, we may have a role and make a contribution. In community, we belong and receive support, affirmation and love. As a result, thirdly, membership is also a mutual commitment, a response not only to God's invitation but also to the gift of others and their love. It is not about obligations but relations. One way in which Baptists express this mutuality of commitment is through baptism. Historically, baptism has meant nothing other than incorporation into the body of Christ, the local church. It is bodily and it is communal. Wherever baptism has been separated from 'church membership', each has been deprived of its meaning, spiritual significance and life-giving power. Fourthly, membership is a commitment to join God s mission. To be a follower of Jesus in community is to live and speak the Good News, inviting others into the same new community that we enjoy. When we share our faith, it needs to include the invitation to become part of the church, whether it is a local church, regional church or house-church. There is no other option, because to become a Christian is to join the body of Christ in which members participate in the life and mission of the ever-creative community-creating God. 7 P a g e

8 Statement of Beliefs Christianity is more than assent to a set of beliefs, it is a living and heartfelt relationship with Jesus Christ, However, the Bible is clear that holding truthful and right beliefs about doctrine and theology are vital as well. What follows are core convictions for our church community: The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. (We trust that God communicates divine truth in the Bible) The existence of one God in three persons the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. (A mystery beyond human cognition, to be sure; but this is how God is revealed in the Bible) The deity and incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity. (The historical person of Jesus of Nazareth was God in the form of a human being) The fallen, sinful and lost estate of all people. (People desperately need God s help to sort out this mess we got ourselves into) The salvation of men and women from the penal consequences and power of sin through the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, His atoning death, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His unchanging priesthood. (Jesus is God s final and definitive solution to all the mess and evils of humanity and the world) The immediate work of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men and women, in their sanctification, and in their preservation to the heavenly Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. (God changes our hearts and transforms us to be continually growing more Christ-like, and has a glorious future for us) The necessity, in order to know salvation, of repentance towards God and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (We need to come clean: our lives and hearts are in a bad way before God. We can trust Jesus to forgive us and to lead us in ways pleasing to God) The resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment of all people by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Death is not the end of life- just a transition to a different mode of living. Jesus holds all the cards and will lovingly and justly put all things right, holding each person accountable for their earthly lives.) The two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely Baptism and the Lord s Supper, which are of perpetual obligation: Baptism being the immersion of believers upon the profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a symbol of the fellowship of the regenerate in His death, burial and resurrection; the Lord s Supper being a memorial, until He comes, of the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jesus said to baptise people when they turn from sin and trust in him, and also to regularly share a meal together with other Christ-followers to remember his life, death for our sins, his resurrection, and his future appearing) 8 P a g e

9 KBC Covenant This whole booklet forms a basis of understanding and a pathway to being a member at KBC. But the following summary and diagram seeks to capture the life of discipleship in a clear and memorable way. 9 P a g e