How do you answer: how to become a part of the church?
There are a number of ways to approach the question, obviously. But how do you (I don’t ask “would,” since you have probably answered it by now) answer when someone asks, “What do I do to become a part of the church?”
I’m thinking of writing on this for next Sunday, so I’d like to get some perspective. Not that I don’t have one or haven’t answered it before. But it’s no trick question. Always looking to learn more from experienced saints.
Fellows, feel free to make a separate post. Tag it as “church membership,” I guess.
Ron Thomas 5:07 am on January 22, 2012 Permalink |
I will generally reword their question to this: “What do I need to do to become a member of the body of Christ?” From there I continue on with the relevant Biblical passages. I sometimes answer this way: “To become a member of the Lord’s body one needs to become a Christian.” And then, finally, I have answered it this way also: “What do you mean by ‘church’?” These replies come according to the context of the conversation.
Eugene Adkins 6:44 am on January 23, 2012 Permalink |
My answer: Ask the Lord, listen to his answer and let him take care of it (Acts 2:47).
Stephen R. Bradd 8:19 am on January 23, 2012 Permalink |
The replies from Ron & Eugene are very good.
It has been my observation that some are prone, in my opinion, to require MORE of a potential convert than the Lord Himself does (at that point in their walk). Let me clarify: If those on Pentecost could learn enough in 1 sermon and if the eunuch & jailor could learn enough in 1 Bible study to obey the gospel & be added to the family of God, then let us be careful not to require more knowledge than those did who were guided by the Holy Spirit into all the truth. After one becomes a disciple, then there is much more learning to take place (Matt. 28:19,20). If one is willing to commit Himself to Christ and to living by His word, he is ready to be immersed for the remission of His sins. God will add such a one to His church–even if there may be some misunderstandings to be dealt with on some of the finer matters of NT doctrine.