How easy should it be for a Baptist church to accept a new member.

[Salty]

This question came up from this other similar thread
My basic answer is that you become a Baptist when you join a Baptist church.

So what action should a church take before they accept an individual as a new member.
Attend a new members class
sit down and go over church doctrine (ie they speak in tongues - but want to join)
what is expected as a church member.
other?

 

[Ben1445]

This question came up from this other similar thread
My basic answer is that you become a Baptist when you join a Baptist church.

So what action should a church take before they accept an individual as a new member.
Attend a new members class
sit down and go over church doctrine (ie they speak in tongues - but want to join)
what is expected as a church member.
other?

For us, they should be able to quickly give testimony of salvation and Baptism. We have a statement of faith that they are supposed to read and accept, at least to the extent of their willingness to learn about what we believe is Scripture taught and why.
Past that, accepting members is the easiest thing in church. Generally speaking we are the servants of Christ. We are supposed to be aware of wolves that spare not the flock, but the wheat and the tares grow together and we aren’t supposed to separate them. That will be done upon instruction of the Lord at the judgment. It is a fact of life. We live in the world.

 

[canadyjd]

We should sit them down and explain they will experience persecution for the rest of their lives. Family and friends will abandon them. They will be mocked and ridiculed. They could lose their jobs and homes. Their children might shun them. The world will hate them because they first hated Jesus.

They could spend their lives with nothing but God Holy Spirit offering them support, guidance and comfort. If they live long enough for the great persecution they may be put to death for their profession of faith.

Then ask, “do you consider yourself worthy to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ”?

Or…. We could just give them a hug and welcome them to the club.

Peace to you

 

[Ben1445]

We should sit them down and explain they will experience persecution for the rest of their lives. Family and friends will abandon them. They will be mocked and ridiculed. They could lose their jobs and homes. Their children might shun them. The world will hate them because they first hated Jesus.

They could spend their lives with nothing but God Holy Spirit offering them support, guidance and comfort. If they live long enough for the great persecution they may be put to death for their profession of faith.

Then ask, “do you consider yourself worthy to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ”?

Or…. We could just give them a hug and welcome them to the club.

Peace to you

Just to join a Baptist church?
I doubt when John baptized he said any of that before he baptized each person. (Not that that has anything to do with joining a church)
But I would say the same thing about the apostles. I don’t think they told everyone that their lives would be miserable if they joined the church. Actually, I think people knew it when they joined. The church was being persecuted. And today, the majority of people who are coming to Christ are people (100% of them) who have made fun of and mocked others for doing right.
If you have grown up in church, you are familiar enough with it from the start and not necessarily guiltless from the other perspective.
If you have come from outside of churches, you have probably spent enough time with people who mock Christianity if not being one of them who mocked.
I don’t think it’s necessary.
Even Paul got the full message after joining.

Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

 

[Marooncat79]

Have to wait 90 days unless they have been attending a while

 

[Ben1445]

Have to wait 90 days unless they have been attending a while

This idea doesn’t seem to fit with Acts as the people were added daily.
While I believe in church autonomy, you can do whatever you want, I don’t think it’s necessary.
In my opinion, I don’t think it is the right way. But that is my opinion.

 

[Marooncat79]

This idea doesn’t seem to fit with Acts as the people were added daily.
While I believe in church autonomy, you can do whatever you want, I don’t think it’s necessary.
In my opinion, I don’t think it is the right way. But that is my opinion.

We try to make sure that they understand the Gospel and are seriously committed

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

We try to make sure that they understand the Gospel and are seriously committed

Isn’t it the job of the church them the gospels?

This question came up from this other similar thread
My basic answer is that you become a Baptist when you join a Baptist church.

So what action should a church take before they accept an individual as a new member.
Attend a new members class
sit down and go over church doctrine (ie they speak in tongues - but want to join)
what is expected as a church member.
other?

id ask if they had any interaction with the HS.

 

[Deacon]

1. Attend a meet and greet with the pastor - Ours was after the service at a scheduled lunch called, "Pizza with the Pastor" (2nd week of our attendance).
2. Attend a new members class, (A. Learn the history of the local church, B. Meet the leaders of the church, C. Learn some particulars about the local church, D. Become familiar with the Statement of Faith, E. Opportunity to ask questions).
3. Write out our walk of faith and give it to a deacon.
4. Deacon interview

By the second month we were already integrated into a weekly study group and had met many fine families.
I had already begun organizing their church library; my wife had joined a women's group.

Rob

 

[canadyjd]

Just to join a Baptist church?
I doubt when John baptized he said any of that before he baptized each person. (Not that that has anything to do with joining a church)
But I would say the same thing about the apostles. I don’t think they told everyone that their lives would be miserable if they joined the church. Actually, I think people knew it when they joined. The church was being persecuted. And today, the majority of people who are coming to Christ are people (100% of them) who have made fun of and mocked others for doing right.
If you have grown up in church, you are familiar enough with it from the start and not necessarily guiltless from the other perspective.
If you have come from outside of churches, you have probably spent enough time with people who mock Christianity if not being one of them who mocked.
I don’t think it’s necessary.
Even Paul got the full message after joining.

Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Looks like you favor the second option I presented. Give them a hug and welcome them to the club.

Salvation is about a transformed life and people should know what to expect and what is expected of them.

If we treat membership like the local PTA or rotary club, then we will get results inconsistent with the biblical model.

But, as you said, churches are autonomous and let all do according to their conscience.

Peace to you

 

[atpollard]

It should be comparable to “Joining a gang” … a lifetime commitment to a “family” … “blood in, blood out” … the prospective member should run a gauntlet of existing members and take their beating (proving they really WANT to be part of the family and that they have earned their place).

”That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.”

[just kidding ... mostly ... there is a little bit of truth hidden in there.]

 

[Ben1445]

If your church is behaving as it should, there will be enough deterrent, even while respecting it.

Acts 5:13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

But if your church is more of a club or gang, then don’t expect anyone to treat it differently.

Reality check, people join clubs because of the benefits they get from the club.
People join churches to serve and obey their Saviour.
Are you a social group or a service group?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It should be comparable to “Joining a gang” … a lifetime commitment to a “family” … “blood in, blood out” … the prospective member should run a gauntlet of existing members and take their beating (proving they really WANT to be part of the family and that they have earned their place).

”That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.”

[just kidding ... mostly ... there is a little bit of truth hidden in there.]

Then you must have tattoos!

 

[unprofitable]

If the person desiring membership were a member of another church, we would ask what denomination if other than Baptist. That would open a number of questions and set the direction of what manner of instruction that person may need personally and what doctrines may be in conflict with what they had previously been taught. If the person were coming from another Baptist church we would discern if they were of like faith and practice. We would also ask if they had a letter of commendation and the reason they had left the church of their previous membership. If it was for reasons of scriptural disagreement that must be examined. It could be that the person asking to be received was a "trouble maker" and the church has to make their decision based on such evidence. The previous questions will provide much information as to the type of baptism they may or may not have had. We would not ask the potential member is they were satisfied with their baptism because that determination is under the sole authority of the church and not the individual. We do not accept any form of baptism other than full immersion as scriptural nor woud we accept the baptism of any but a Baptish church. A new convert would be examined as to their motives and understanding of the kingdom also. The previous posts regarding the serious nature of the commitment being made has already been covered in other posts.

 

[Ascetic X]

What is the biblical basis of becoming a “member” of a church? I am not sure if “membership” and rules for joining a local church congregation have any scriptural justification. Seems like it is just traditions of men.

 

[Salty]

What is the biblical basis of becoming a “member” of a church? I am not sure if “membership” and rules for joining a local church congregation have any scriptural justification. Seems like it is just traditions of men.

Actually in todays society - it is more for legal reasons.
The Courts consider it

Just what is a member

Formal membership

 

[Ascetic X]

Actually in todays society - it is more for legal reasons.
The Courts consider it

Just what is a member

Formal membership

Thanks. I also understand that church membership is meaningful and membership rules can facilitate the selecting of deacons, Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, etc. It makes sense to pre-qualify individuals who have been examined for doctrine and practices.

AI Overview: Church membership serves critical legal and operational purposes, as incorporated churches are distinct legal entities. Membership enables churches to own property, enter contracts, sue/be sued, and manage tax-exempt statuses. It also provides legal structure for governance, such as approving loans or property acquisitions.

 

[unprofitable]

What is the biblical basis of becoming a “member” of a church? I am not sure if “membership” and rules for joining a local church congregation have any scriptural justification. Seems like it is just traditions of men.

The ordinance of baptism is how someone is made a member of a local assembly. When we baptize someone, they become a member of our church and no other. They join with us in covenant relationship with Christ. The church can perform discipline on its members who have been added by baptism. We have no authority to do so on a member of another church or those outside covenant relationship.

 

[Ascetic X]

The ordinance of baptism is how someone is made a member of a local assembly. When we baptize someone, they become a member of our church and no other. They join with us in covenant relationship with Christ. The church can perform discipline on its members who have been added by baptism. We have no authority to do so on a member of another church or those outside covenant relationship.

But what happens when that baptized church member moves to another town? Is it an additional baptism that enables them to join a new church?

 

[unprofitable]

But what happens when that baptized church member moves to another town? Is it an additional baptism that enables them to join a new church?

Not as long it is a church of like faith and practice. Their membership is transferred and are now under the watchcare of that church.