Steps of Faith: Journey into Church Membership
Embark on a journey of faith with the Grace Bible Chapel in Gardners, PA. Explore the foundational teachings of the church, the significance of baptism and communion, and the essence of being a part of a church family. Discover the key truths from biblical verses and the goal of committing yourself to Jesus Christ in this insightful four-session class. Unveil the core aspects of salvation, church structure, doctrinal statements, and the strategy for following the early church's footsteps towards Christian unity and membership.
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Presentation Transcript
Steps of Faith Multitude Member Following Christ together ... one step at a time ... into Church Membership Grace Bible Chapel Gardners, PA
WELCOME TO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AT GBC We are glad you have chosen to find out more about Grace Bible Chapel. This four-session class is a basic introduction/refresher to our church, and what the Bible says about being part of a growing church family.
THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS: Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about 3,000 souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:41,42 NKJV
Key Truths from these verses: 1. The church is made up of PEOPLE not a building. 2. The Bible pattern for becoming part of a church family is: gladly received his word - SALVATION were baptized - PUBLICIDENTIFICATION added to them - MEMBERSHIP
Key Truths from these verses: 3. Those truly born again will want to commit themselves to: doctrine - TEACHING from the Bible fellowship - Time spent with other BELIEVERS breaking bread - Observing the Lord s SUPPER prayers - Talking to GOD
THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS: That I will commit myself to JESUS CHRIST and to becoming part of the Grace Bible Chapel .
CLASS OUTLINE SESSION ONE: OUR SALVATION What it means to be a Christian Symbols of salvation: Baptism & Communion SESSION TWO: OUR STRUCTURE An Overview of Biblical Church Doctrine Four Bible descriptions of the church
SESSION THREE: OUR STATEMENTS Our Purpose (Why our church exists) Our Doctrine Statement (What we believe) Our Church Covenant (What we practice) SESSION FOUR: OUR STRATEGY Following the early Church Christian Unity The Steps of Faith What it means to be a member
What does it mean to be a Christian? These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:12 1. A Christian ADMITS he is a sinner. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
2. A Christian BELIEVES Jesus is the sinless Son of God who died to pay sin s debt and arose to offer forgiveness and life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.Romans 10:9 Romans 6:23 Romans 5:8
3. A Christian will COUNT the COST of daily turning from self-centered living to Christ-centered, Bible-based living. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
4. A Christian DECIDES to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. John 10:27,28 Admit Believe Count the Cost Decide Based on these Bible verses, are you sure you are a Christian?
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING BAPTIZED I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? 1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY JESUS It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan (river). Mark 1:9
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? 2. BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDS IT. (Jesus said) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.Matthew 28:19-20
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? 3. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. Acts 2:41 ... many of the (people) hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? 4. IT IDENTIFIES ME WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. I John 2:3
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM? 1. IT PICTURES CHRIST S BURIAL & RESURRECTION. Christ died for our sins ... was buried ... and rose again. I Cor. 15:3-4 Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Col. 2:12
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM? 2. IT ILLUSTRATES MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN. We were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead... we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM? 3. IT SAYS, I WANT TO OBEY MY LORD . If you love Me, keepMy commandments. John 14:15 Baptism doesn t make you a believer - it shows you already believe. Baptism does not save you, only faith in Christ alone does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it s an outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart to trust & follow Christ. Ephesians 2:8,9
III. WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION? 1. BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water. Matt. 3:16 2. EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION. Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water... Acts 8:38-39
III. WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION? 3. THE WORD BAPTIZE = DIP or plunge. 4. IT BEST PICTURES A BURIAL & RESURRECTION. 5. EVEN THE FOUNDERS OF DENOMINATIONS AGREE: Martin Luther (Lutherans) John Calvin (Presbyterians) John Wesley (Wesleyans/Methodists)
IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED? EVERY PERSON WHO HAS TRUSTED CHRIST. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. Acts 2:41 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God both men and women were baptized.Acts 8:12 Simon himself believed and was baptized.Acts 8:13
We strongly encourage children to wait for baptism until they display the fruits of their salvation (obedience at home [Eph 6:1], a love for and a growing understanding of God s Word [I Pet 2:2]); and until they request baptism themselves. Parental approval will be sought. Some churches practice infant baptism. We do not because the Bible is clear that baptism is only for those who can and have believed.
Some churches practice sprinkling or pouring rather than immersion. We do not do these because we want to obey the Bible. Though we have an indoor baptism pool in our church building, weather permitting, it is entirely appropriate to use a lake or pool since the purpose of baptism is to publicly confess your faith in Jesus Christ.
At Grace Bible Chapel, it is a membership requirement that every member must be baptized the way Jesus was, even though some may have been confirmed as a child, or poured or sprinkled. Each of us who are members at Grace have done this!
VI. SOME PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 1. Can my family be baptized together? Yes! If each family member has personally placed his/her trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, and understands fully the meaning of baptism, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. (Remember that like salvation, which baptism pictures, one only need be baptized once.)
VI. SOME PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 2. What should I wear when I am baptized? Both men and women should wear dark pants or shorts, and a dark shirt or top that is modest when wet. Bring a towel, a change of clothes, and a plastic bag for your wet clothes. 3. Can I invite friends and family? By all means. The more that come, the better!
4. Will I have to say anything? Many people love to give a short account of how they came to know Christ as their Savior. Others enjoy quoting or reading a favorite verse. It is a great chance to tell others of your Savior! At the start of the service, the meaning of baptism will be explained. You will wait at the edge of the water for your turn to be baptized. You will be introduced, allowed to speak if you wish, and briefly lowered just under the water and brought back up.
Quite often the congregation will sing together one of your favorite gospel songs as you are baptized. Then you can leave the water, dry off, and watch others being baptized.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LORDS SUPPER Jesus never asked His disciples to especially remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (called ordinances ) as reminders of His death. These two ordinances are: Baptism and the Lord s Supper. Like Baptism, the Lord s Supper is a great object lesson for believers.
I. WHAT IS THE LORDS SUPPER? (I Cor. 11) 1. IT IS SIMPLE , NOT A COMPLICATED RITUAL . (23) The Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread. 2. IT IS A MEMORIAL , NOT A SACRAMENT. (24) When He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take and eat; this is My body, which is broken for you: do this in remembranceof Me.
3. IT IS A COMMAND , NOT A SUGGESTION. (25) He took the cup saying This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 4. IT IS A TESTIMONY THAT YOU HAVE PERSONALLY RECEIVED CHRIST. (26) As often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death till He comes.
II. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORDS SUPPER? 1. Only those who are already BELIEVERS. (29) He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord s body. 2. Only those who are walking in OBEDIENCE . (28) Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat ... and drink .
III. HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE LORDS TABLE? 1. I PREPARE MYSELF BY EXAMINATION . Whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in and unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. I Corinthians 11:27,28
2. I PREPARE MYSELF BY CONFESSION . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 3. I PREPARE MYSELF BY RECONCILIATION. If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar.... First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23,24
IV. WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE OBSERVE THE LORD S SUPPER? Jesus never said when or how often believers should observe the Lord s Supper. We have made it a practice to take the Lord s Supper on the first Sunday of each month. Jesus said, Do this . Thus, it is not an option, but his command to believers. We challenge you to be faithful in your attendance at the Lord s Supper, having soberly prepared yourself ahead of time for this great memorial.
Next Week SESSION TWO: OUR STRUCTURE An Overview of Biblical Church Doctrine Four Bible descriptions of the Church
