MEMBERSHIP AT OCEAN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH Becoming a Member of Ocean View Baptist Church: Although membership is not specifically stated in the Bible, the New Testament presupposes the validity of Christians committed to a local body of believers. We see the early church being devoted to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42 47). The believers were also unified in their beliefs, worship, and purposes and generous in meeting the needs of others. The local church became the place for spiritual growth, encouragement, support and safety within their local community. It is our desire that Ocean View be that place for you as we live out together this New Testament activity and spirit. Those seeking membership at Ocean View must 1. Be a Christian, acknowledging and confessing one s sinfulness to Jesus, receiving Him into their life as Lord and Savior, and yielding their life to Him and His will. 2. Write a ½ 1 page Personal Statement of Faith as to how and when you became a Christian. 3. Be baptized by immersion through OVBC or provide a statement that you were baptized by immersion from another Christian church. 4. Be in substantial accord with the Views of Faith and the Biblical Principles to Live By at Ocean View. 5. Meet personally with a Pastor to review your Personal Statement of Faith, Views of Faith and the Biblical Principles to Live By at Ocean View. 6. Be recommended by a Pastor, approved by the Board, and receive the Right Hand of Fellowship at a Sunday Service.
OVBC MEMBERSHIP Name: Address: Please check which phones numbers would be okay to call: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: Occupation: Email: Date of Birth: Wedding Anniversary: Family Members Who Attend OVBC: Enjoyments / Talents / Passions:
PERSONAL STATEMENT OF FAITH Name: Date: Write a ½ 1 page Personal Statement of Faith as to how and when you became a Christian.
VIEWS OF FAITH VIEWS OF FAITH (What We Believe): God: There is one God, Creator of all, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ is the true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of God, He is our High Priest and Advocate. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ, convicting men, regenerating the believing sinner, indwelling, guiding, and empowering the believer for Godly living and service. Salvation: That man, created in the image of God, fell into sin and is therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for redemption, and only those who receive Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and are the children of God. That the new Birth (Salvation) and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the same experience. In bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to eternal joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting punishment. The Church: All believers have been baptized into Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit making one unified body; because of this we do not teach a second definite work of grace. That the true Church is composed of all who have been regenerated by saving faith and are united as the body of Christ of which He is the head. The Bible: The Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error in the original, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life. The Ordinances of the Church: That the Lord s Supper and water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church. They are, however not to be regarded as a means of Salvation. Human Sexuality: That the settings for the full expression of human sexuality to be within the sacred bond of marriage between one man and one woman and for unmarried people to live celibate lives of joy and purpose in glad obedience to God.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY AT OCEAN VIEW Having received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and having publicly confessed our faith and having been baptized, as members, with God s help, our desire is to live out the following Christian principles: That we will whole heartedly seek to keep the Commandments that Jesus designated as of first importance, namely, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves (loving God and others will be our top priority); That we will carry out by our prayers, gifts, witness and dedication of life, the Great Commission of our Lord, Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations (missions will be valued); That we will put away from us all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, and be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ s sake, has forgiven us (showing grace and patience to others, as God has shown us, will be exercised); That we will have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and we will walk in the light as He is in the light that we may have fellowship with God, His Son Jesus Christ and with all who follow Him (doing our best to avoid and not be controlled by sin will be practiced); That we will pray, one for another, and whenever anybody has something against us, we will go to him, alone, and seek to be reconciled to him (striving to keep the unity of believers will be reinforced); That as we have opportunity, we will do good unto all men, especially unto those that are of the household of faith (compassionate ministries will be central); That we will urge the unsaved to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord (practicing personal evangelism will be stressed); That we will make it a habit to pray and to read the Bible daily; and that we will endeavor to have daily family worship (devoting oneself to creating an intimate, personal devotional life with God will be emphasized); That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (worshipping together will be a focal point of our gathering); That we will bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (passing down our Christian faith and heritage is essential); That we will give liberally and in proportion to our prosperity, not grudgingly, nor of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver (generosity and open handedness with what God has given us will be applied); That we will honor the leadership of those that speak unto us the Word of God (allowing the leadership to speak into our lives and, if need be, discipline us for grievous, habitual sin that creates discord, hurt and dissention in the human family and church family according to Matthew 18 will be welcomed). And that what we do, we will do heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that each shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.
WHAT IS BAPTISM? BAPTISM: Why be baptized? 1. Because you want to follow Christ's example. "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9, NIV 2. Because Christ commanded it. Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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." Matthew 28:19 20, NIV 3. Because it shows you are a believer. "...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8, NIV 4. Because obeying Christ's command shows you know Him. "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey his commands." 1 John 2:3, NIV What is the meaning of water baptism? 1. It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection and our identifying with Christ in our salvation. "Christ died for our sins...he was buried...and he was raised on the third day." 1 Corinthians 15:3 4, NIV "...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, NIV 2. It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV "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, NIV Is baptism necessary for salvation? Baptism doesn't make you a believer. It shows that you are already one! Baptism does not "save" you. Only your faith in Christ saves you. Baptism is like a wedding ring it is the outward symbol of the commitment you have already made in your heart. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8 9, NIV "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household.'" Acts 16:31, NIV
How are we to be baptized? 1. We are to be baptized in the same way Jesus was baptized by being immersed in water. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." Matthew 3:16, NIV 2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. "...Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..."acts 8:38 39, NIV The word "baptize" from the Greek word "baptizo", means "to dip" or "to immerse" under water. Immersion is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection. As the person being baptized goes under water, he is identifying himself with the death and burial of Christ. As he comes up out of the water, he is identifying himself with the resurrection of Christ. Christian leaders in history agree: o Martin Luther..."I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies." o John Calvin..."The word "baptize" signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church." Who should be baptized? 1. Every person who has believed in Christ should be baptized. "Those who accepted his message were baptized." Acts 2:41, NIV "But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12, NIV 2. The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! We do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe. "Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized?...then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." Acts 8:35 38, NIV When are we to be baptized? As soon as you have believed! You shouldn't delay. "Those who accepted his message were baptized...that day!" Acts 2:41, NIV
MY COMMITMENT My commitment to Christ and to the Body of Christ at Ocean View Baptist Church: In becoming a member at Ocean View Baptist Church, I affirm my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord and that I am in substantial accord with the Views of Faith and the Biblical Principles to Live By at Ocean View. Signature: Date: Pastor Recommendation: I recommend to the OVBC Board,, for membership at Ocean View Baptist Church, San Pedro, CA. Pastor Signature: Date: Board Approval: Moderator Signature: Date: