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Becoming a church member is a vital commitment for the Christian because it represents a public announcement about the "Kingdom of God."
Becoming a church member is a vital commitment for the Christian because it represents a public announcement about the "Kingdom of God."
When Jesus tells his disciples to seek first his kingdom and righteousness, we believe the kingdom he wants us to pursue is represented by the communion of the saints -- His Church on earth -- His radiant bride!
Of course, no church on earth perfectly represents the kingdom -- some churches have more struggles than others. But, if God's kingdom is our primary priority as disciples, then we should join a visible assembly for our "kingdom service" that also promotes the kind of "righteousness" that Jesus lived by, and preached about.
Baptism is the sign by which Christians mark their transition from being a member of the world to becoming a member of the Body of Christ. Therefore, most Christian churches welcome their babies into the church and regard them as members of God's "visible" Kingdom.
However, in most of these same churches, when a child "comes of age," or when anyone at any age professes their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as savior, churches like Richland ARP will then welcome these as "Communicant Members" (welcomed to participate in the Lord's Supper).
For both adolescents and adults seeking membership in our church, a simple meeting with at least two elders suffices. This meeting focuses on seven questions, which if answered in the affirmative, becomes the requirement for communicant membership:
(1) Do you confess that you are a sinner in the sight of God; that you deserve His punishment; that you are unable to save yourself; and that you are without hope of salvation except for God's love and mercy?
(2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of sinners; and do you receive and trust in Him alone for your salvation?
(3) Do you accept the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, as the written Word of God; and that it is the only perfect rule of faith and how to live?
(4) Do you promise to trust in the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit so that you can live all of life as a Christian, following the example set by Jesus Christ?
(5) Do you promise to exercise faithful stewardship of God’s resources entrusted to you for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and purposes?
(6) Do you accept that the doctrines and principles of the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church are founded upon the Scriptures?
(7) In loving obedience, do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of this church, promising to seek the peace, purity, and prosperity of this congregation as long as you are a member of it?
According to the Standards of the ARP Denomination, no other requirement may be imposed upon someone seeking membership. However, our church is always eager to provide an "Inquirer's Class" for anyone wishing to learn more about our church history, church ministry, and future goals. If you would like to attend such a class, just express your interest with the pastor.
We trust that during your time with us, and as you seek God's will for your life, you will find our church a suitable expression for fulfilling a disciple's first priorities regarding God's kingdom, where together we will all follow the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission, too! God bless.
Of course, no church on earth perfectly represents the kingdom -- some churches have more struggles than others. But, if God's kingdom is our primary priority as disciples, then we should join a visible assembly for our "kingdom service" that also promotes the kind of "righteousness" that Jesus lived by, and preached about.
Baptism is the sign by which Christians mark their transition from being a member of the world to becoming a member of the Body of Christ. Therefore, most Christian churches welcome their babies into the church and regard them as members of God's "visible" Kingdom.
However, in most of these same churches, when a child "comes of age," or when anyone at any age professes their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as savior, churches like Richland ARP will then welcome these as "Communicant Members" (welcomed to participate in the Lord's Supper).
For both adolescents and adults seeking membership in our church, a simple meeting with at least two elders suffices. This meeting focuses on seven questions, which if answered in the affirmative, becomes the requirement for communicant membership:
(1) Do you confess that you are a sinner in the sight of God; that you deserve His punishment; that you are unable to save yourself; and that you are without hope of salvation except for God's love and mercy?
(2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of sinners; and do you receive and trust in Him alone for your salvation?
(3) Do you accept the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, as the written Word of God; and that it is the only perfect rule of faith and how to live?
(4) Do you promise to trust in the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit so that you can live all of life as a Christian, following the example set by Jesus Christ?
(5) Do you promise to exercise faithful stewardship of God’s resources entrusted to you for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and purposes?
(6) Do you accept that the doctrines and principles of the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church are founded upon the Scriptures?
(7) In loving obedience, do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of this church, promising to seek the peace, purity, and prosperity of this congregation as long as you are a member of it?
According to the Standards of the ARP Denomination, no other requirement may be imposed upon someone seeking membership. However, our church is always eager to provide an "Inquirer's Class" for anyone wishing to learn more about our church history, church ministry, and future goals. If you would like to attend such a class, just express your interest with the pastor.
We trust that during your time with us, and as you seek God's will for your life, you will find our church a suitable expression for fulfilling a disciple's first priorities regarding God's kingdom, where together we will all follow the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission, too! God bless.
Key Bible Verses for Church Membership
1. Members of the Body of Christ
1. Members of the Body of Christ
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-14: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
- Acts 20:28: "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."
- Ephesians 2:19: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."
- Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another."
- Matthew 18:15-17: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."
- Ephesians 4:16: “From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
- Ephesians 4:13: “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13-16: "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”