071. What are the conditions of entrance into the church?

What are the conditions of entrance into the church? The word “church” in the New Testament is used, first, of the whole body of believers in Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:24-25; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24). Second, it is used of the body of believers in any place, as (for example) the church of the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Third, it is used of the local congregations meeting regularly for the breaking of bread and worship and teaching, as (for example) the church that met in Rome in the home of Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:5). The conditions of entrance into the church in its first and deeper meaning are acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior, surrender to Him as Lord and Master, and open confession of Him before the world (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47). The conditions of entrance into local churches are determined by the churches themselves. Most churches receive members upon satisfactory evidence that they have really forsaken sin, accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and surrendered their lives to Him. Some churches require subscriptions to a creed more or less full. All the evangelical churches except the Friends require water baptism on the part of the applicant for membership, either as an infant or an adult.