03.05. How To Become a Member of the Church

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH In former lessons we have learned when the church of God was established and why one should be a member of the church. Now we come to learn how one becomes a member of the church of God. Before Jesus left the earth he made known the terms of admission into his church, or kingdom, in the Great Commission. THE GREAT COMMISSION.

Matthew 28:19-20 : "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Mark 16:15-16 : "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned."

Luke 24:46-47 : "Thus it is written, That the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

Let us note the items contained in these different records.

Matthew: Teach—baptize—into name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Mark: Preach—believe—baptize—saved.

Luke: Preach—repentance—remission of sins.

Taking the different items as mentioned by each one, we find: Preach—believe—repent—baptize—remission of sins. From this Great Commission and the examples under the preaching of the apostles we learn how people become members of the church. In a former lesson we learned that the church began on the first day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus bade the apostles wait in Jerusalem till they received power from on high (Luke 24:49) before beginning to execute the commission. This power came on the Pentecost on which the church was established (Acts 2:1-4). This agrees with the prophets (Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-2). The wonderful demonstrations on that day attracted the multitude (Acts 2:1-14). Peter, realizing that the time for operations under the Great Commission had come, proceeded to preach to the multitude.

Peter’s sermon. It is noticeable that Peter did not deal in platitudes, dry theories, or sociology, but drove to the heart of the people the fact that they were condemned sinners, and that the Jesus whom they had crucified was the reigning Lord and Christ. Conviction was driven to their hearts. Realizing their condition, they inquired for the way of escape. As Peter was not seeking to please men, but to save them, he replied instantly: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins" (
Acts 2:1-47). It is easily seen that in this case there is perfect harmony with the Great Commission.

Commission: Preach—believe—repent—baptize—remission.

First sermon: Preach—believe—repent—baptize—remission.

Let no one think that he can dismiss this matter with a wave of the hand, or conclude that Peter’s sermon is of no vital importance, for Jesus said: keys of kingdom: "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). Let it be observed that this sermon bound on the people the necessity of believing, repenting, and being baptized. Those who thus obeyed were to receive the remission of their sins. More, let it be remembered that the words spoken by Peter were not his words, but were, in fact, the words of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). If Peter were present today, guided by the Holy Spirit, he would make the same reply to inquirers that he then made. DID THEY BECOME MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH? It is said of these people: "They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). That those who were thus baptized became members of the church is not questioned by any one. Luke refers to them as the church (Acts 8:1)., (See SOUND DOCTRINE, Vol. I., pp. 97-123).

SAMARITANS.

"And Philip went down to Samaria and proclaimed unto them the Christ, .... when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed" (Acts 8:5-13). In this account of Philip’s work in the city of Samaria, it is plain that the proceedings fully harmonize with both the Great Commission and Peter’s first sermon under that Commission. Philip preached the gospel, people believed, and were baptized. The fact that they turned away from the foolishness of Simon is proof that they repented (see SOUND DOCTRINE, Vol. II., pp. 113-117).

CONVERSION OF THE EUNUCH.

Acts 8:26-40. The Lord directed Philip to leave Samaria and go to the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. When Philip reached the designated place he saw a man of Ethiopia traveling toward Gaza. Approaching the chariot in obedience to the Spirit’s directions, he heard the nobleman reading Isaiah’s prophecy. Having been invited by the man, Philip took a seat in the chariot, "and beginning from this scripture, he preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing." As is to be expected, we find in this case of conversion the same harmony with the Great Commission as in the others: the gospel was preached, the eunuch believed and was baptized, and assuredly received the remission of sins.

CONVERSION OF SAUL.

Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:1-16; Acts 26:12-18. In reading these references we find among other things that Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church, that Christ appeared to him on the way, and that he was directed to go to Damascus, where he would be told what to do. In that city he remained three days and nights without food. Ananias was sent to him to tell him what to do. We learn that Paul believed. This is indicated by his question: "What shall I do, Lord?" His ready obedience reveals his faith. And his whole after life proves that he repented. Ananias said to him: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on. his name" (Acts 22:16). This case, like all other cases of conversion, harmonizes with the Great Commission.

CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS.

Acts 10:1-48. Though Cornelius was a most excellent character, he was not a saved man, as is revealed by the fact that he was instructed to send for Peter, who would tell him what to do to be saved (Acts 11:14). He was also a praying man, but he was praying to know what to do. In answer to his prayers he was told to send for Peter, who would tell him what to do. Having come down, Peter found Cornelius and his friends congregated to hear all things that had been commanded of the Lord. With this assurance, Peter proceeded to preach the gospel unto them. They believed (Acts 15:7-9), repented (Acts 11:18), and were baptized (Acts 10:47-48). See how this case, just as you expected, is in harmony with the Commission.

CONVERSION OF LYDIA.

Acts 16:14-15. Paul preached to her, and the fact that she gave heed to what was preached, and was baptized, reveals her faith. It is not stated that she repented, but no one thinks that Paul would baptize one who had not repented. This conversion is in harmony with the Commission. She believed, repented, was baptized, and was saved. THE JAILER.

Acts 16:19-34. At the hour of midnight Paul preached to this man; he believed and was baptized, just as the Commission directed, and certainly he was saved. Being an officer in a heathen government, he was evidently a heathen and had no proper conception of the true God, but he learned enough in the brief space of one hour to become a Christian. This is due to the fact that he wished to learn the-truth, and that he had Paul, a gospel preacher, to tell him what to do. Paul spent no time in useless sermonizing or in lectures on the popular subjects of the day—he preached the gospel; he told the man what to do to be saved. Within the hour the jailer heard, believed, and was baptized. THE CORINTHIANS.

Acts 18:1-8. The account of this conversion is brief. Paul preached to them, "and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." This, too, is meeting the requirements of the Commission. Some years after they had been baptized, Paul wrote a letter to them and addressed them as "the church of God which is at Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2). In the same letter he says: I preached unto you the gospel "which also ye received" (1 Corinthians 15:1). 1. Paul preached the gospel to the Corinthians. 2. They "hearing believed, and were baptized." 3. Paul then addressed them as the "church of God at Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2). If the gospel is preached today and people hear it, believe, and are baptized, will they not be members of the church of God? If not, why not? Are you a member of the church of God? If a letter should be addressed to the church of God in your town would it fall into the hands of the church of which you are a member?

SOME ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS. On account of the great confusion growing out of the various theories and practices in reference to this matter of becoming Christians, or members of the church, we do not feel that this lesson would be complete without some further observations touching these matters. If people would be contented with being Christians only and with belonging to nothing but the church of the living God, many of these vexing problems would not exist. In the days of the apostles there was no such thing as denominations. Disciples of Christ then were simply Christians. human creeds. Human creeds did not bother the people in the days of the apostles, for no such things then existed. This being true, why ’should one now allow such things to bother him, or why should people subscribe to them? We have the Bible, the inspired Word of God, and we need no other guide. In the eyes of Jehovah it meets all our religious demands (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 8:31-32; John 12:48-49; Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:27-29; Galatians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:13; Php 4:9; 2 John 1:9-10). A creed which contains less than the Bible is certainly too small, and one which contains more than the Bible is too large. Is one church as good as another? There are a great many man-made churches in the world, and possibly one of these is as good as another; but surely no one who reverences the Lord thinks that men can build a church as good as the one the Lord made. If one will do what the Bible directs, he will become a member of the church the Lord built. If the people in all the churches are the Lord’s people, then dividing them into the many different sects, or churches, is a positive violation of the will of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:10-15; 1 Corinthians 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:3-4; John 17:20-21). In the midst of the confusion over the many denominations today it seems to have been forgotten that the Lord condemns all of them. Do you insist that there are good people in all the churches? Is it the peculiar doctrine of any denomination which makes them good, or is it not true that they are good in spite of the peculiar doctrines which makes the denominations? It is sometimes suggested that in the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-27) the lesson of different churches, or denominations, is taught-In this parable Jesus declared that he was the vine and the disciples the branches. "If a man abide not in me," said Christ, "he is cast forth as a branch." Some think that the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22) were denominations. These are local congregations in the towns mentioned. sensational preaching. The sensational preacher seeks to arouse the emotions rather than to teach the people what it is to be Christians. The people are stirred. The methods used to induce the people to express some desire to be saved, such as card signing and naming the church of their choice, seem strange to one who reads and respects the New Testament. Under excitement people profess to believe in Christ, and the people declares them saved, whereas they have not obeyed the gospel. Let the reader compare the proceedings in a meetings conducted by one of these sensation union evangelists with the reports of the meetings held by inspired men, which he has been studying in this lesson, and see how unlike are their methods and preaching. conversion. Frequently a person, thinking conversion is some mystical thing that God sends upon him, waits for it instead of promptly doing what God says. He thinks the sinner is entirely too passive in the matter, and waits for God to send the power down. But conversion means turning, and when one turns from sin to God he is converted. The American standard Version, which is accepted by the best scholars in the world, puts "turn" instead of "be converted." "For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should turn again, and I should heal them" (Matthew 13:15). Hearing, understanding, turning again, healing, is the process. Again: "Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). Let it be noticed that it is the duty of the person to repent and turn; the responsibility rests on him. He can and must turn. A saved man is a converted man. The mystical idea of conversion as held by the denominations was not preached by any inspired man. Then Christ was set before the people in every sermon; they believed in him, repented of their sins, were baptized, and were saved. They thus turned from Satan to God. There was no mystery about it, and no one waited to be converted, or to be saved. There would be no trouble now if all would follow these inspired models. new birth. "Ye must be born anew" (John 3:7), said Christ to Nicodemus. This is figurative language. But when inspired men told inquiring sinners what to do to be saved they never told them to be born again. The people would not have known what was required. They left off all figurative expressions and told them in plain terms what to do to be saved. When the people inquired, on the day of Pentecost, what to do, Peter did not tell them that they must be born again, but said in plain language: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38). In doing this they became children of God. To do these things is to be born again and become children of God. Paul says: "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). getting religion. One hears much about getting religion, and yet no such expression is found in the Bible. The Jews’ religion is referred to (Acts 25:19; Acts 26:5; Galatians 1:13-14), but it was something people might believe and live, but not something to get. The word "religion" once applies to the Christian life: "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Thus pure and undefiled religion consists in helping the needy and keeping oneself unspotted from the world. This is a life to live, but not something to get. An unsaved man, a man who is a part of the world, cannot do the things James here calls pure religion. He might help the needy; but he cannot keep himself unspotted from the world, for the simple reason that he is a part of the world. He can come out of the world, and then help the needy and keep himself unspotted from the world, but he cannot "get" what James calls pure religion. A person may be religious and not be a Christian. Paul had to give up the Jaws’ religion in order to be a Christian. Every heathen must give up his religion in order to be saved. After being saved, any man may do the things James says is pure religion; but a person does not "get" helping the needy, and he does not "get" keeping himself unspotted from the world. These are things to be done. If he "gets religion" it is some other sort.

TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND STUDY.

• What is Vain Religion?

• Methods of Inspired Preachers.

• Discuss Conversion of Pentecostians.

• Philip and His Work.

• Paul as a Preacher.

QUESTIONS