Grace Bible Church Application for Church Membership (Information)

 

As for all of our church policies, our membership policy is based on what is revealed in God’s Word.  Please take a moment and read what scripture teaches about church membership:

 

The church, as described in the New Testament, consists of those individuals (all over the world) who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28).  Grace Bible Church (GBC) is just one particular fellowship included in Christ’s overall church.  Therefore, the requirements to join GBC must be equivalent to the requirements for church membership given in God’s Word. 

 

The term “Church” is particular to the New Testament, it was founded by Jesus Christ - Col. 1:13, 18 & Heb. 12:22-23.  Even though the Old Testament did not refer to God’s people as a church (it referred to them as a Congregation, or Assembly of the Saints, or a Holy Nation), most principles for membership parallel with the church.  Therefore, we will look at God’s requirements for membership as taught in the Old and New Testaments.  Below is a summary of the key principles related to membership in the Old Testament Holy Nation (Jews) and in the Christian Church:

 

                  Old Testament Holy Nation (Jews)                                                                            Christian Church                                      

In covenant with God                                        Deut 4:13, 23                           In covenant with God                                        1 Cor 12:13

Circumcision – was the sign of the covenant      Gen 17:10-14                           Baptism – is the sign of the new covenant          Matt 28:19

Required to know and keep its statutes             Lev 10:11                                 Required to know and keep its statutes             John 14:21, 23

Required to attend worship                               Exod 23:17                              Required to attend worship                               Heb 10:25

Discipline for disobeying                                   Num 5:5-7                               Discipline for disobeying                                   Matt 18:15-20

                                                                                                                                                                                                1 Tim 5:20

Excommunication for unrepentant sinner            Num 15:30-31                         Excommunication for unrepentant sinner            1 Cor 5:1-13

Unity required                                                   Psalm 133:1                             Unity required                                                   Rom 12:5

                                                                                                                                                                                                Gal 3:26-28

Financial giving required                                    Lev 27:30-33                           Financial giving required                                    2 Cor 9:6-7

                                                                                                                                                                                                1 Cor 16:2

 

Listed in the table above are some of God’s requirements for church membership.  It is our desire and God-given responsibility as the Elders of GBC to help you understand and obey what God requires of you in regards to church membership and all other facets of life - Acts 20:26-31 & Heb. 13:17.  Please remember that church membership is first and foremost a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Everything involved with being a member at GBC is designed to facilitate the establishment and growth of people’s relationships with Christ.  With this goal in mind, the requirements for membership are listed on the following page.

 

 

 

 Grace Bible Church Application for Church Membership (Form)

General information:

Name of Applicant(s): ___________________________________________________________________

Other family members who may not be joining at this time, but will be attending church with you: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

Home and Work Phone numbers: Email Address: _______________________________________________

Place of Employment: ____________________________________________________________________

Birth dates of all family members: ____________________________________________________________

Previous church membership (if any): _________________________________________________________

Application Process:

Step 1: Complete the above section, titled General Information, and submit it to one of the Church Elders or the Church Secretary.

Step 2: Elders will contact you to set up a time of fellowship, where you will be given the opportunity to meet with the Elders and share your testimony of salvation (written or oral) & baptism, ask any questions you may have about GBC, receive a copy of the church constitution and covenant.

Step 3: Show your willingness to unite with GBC by studying, signing and returning the church constitution and covenant.

Step 4: Attend and participate in worship, fellowship, and ministry with GBC for a period of 3 months after completing steps 1 through 3 (this should give both parties ample time to ascertain the Lord's will about this extremely important decision as to where a person should have his/her church membership).

Step 5: After this 3 month period, if both parties are in agreement that it is the Lord's will for you to unite with GBC, the Elders will recommend you to the body for membership, at which time we ask that you share your testimony of salvation with the entire church body.  Submit to baptism by immersion, if not already baptized in a Bible-believing church. The church body will then confirm you as members of GBC.