Becoming a Member

Membership on a Spiritual Basis

The serious, solemn obligations of church membership should be impressed on everyone who applies for admittance to the church. All should be faithfully taught what it means to become a member of the body of Christ. Only those giving evidence of having experienced the new birth, and who are enjoying a spiritual experience in the Lord Jesus, are prepared for acceptance into church membership. Thorough instruction in the fundamental teachings and related practices of the church should be given to every candidate for church membership before being baptized and received into church fellowship. Each person seeking admittance to the church should be informed of the principles for which the church stands.

me is a spiritual relationship. It can be entered into only by those who are converted. Only in me way can the purity and spiritual caliber of the church be maintained. It is the duty of every minister to instruct those who accept the principles of the truth, that they may enter the church on a sound, spiritual basis. While there is no stated age for baptism, it is recommended that very young children who express a desire to be baptized should be encouraged and entered into an instruction program that may lead to baptism.

"The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to --the principalities and powers in heavenly places,' the final and full display of the love of God." The Acts of the Apostles , p. 9.

Baptism a Gospel Requirement

The New Testament establishes baptism as the rite for admission to the church. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matt. 28:19, 20).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

Baptism a Prerequisite to Church Membership "Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made me a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God's spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, --The Lord our Righteousness.' Jeremiah 23:6.

"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: --Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing.' And to them is fulfilled the promise: --I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. . . .

"The principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth. None can depend upon their profession of faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. We are not only to say, --I believe,' but to practice the truth. It is by conformity to the will of God in our words, our deportment, our character, that we prove our connection with Him." Testimonies , vol. 6, pp. 91, 92.

Mode of Baptism Seventh-day Adventists believe in baptism by immersion and accept into membership only those who have been baptized in me manner. Those who acknowledge their lost state as sinners, sincerely repent of their sins, and experience conversion, may, after proper instruction, be accepted as candidates for baptism and church membership.

Membership by Profession of Faith

Individuals who have already been baptized by immersion and whose membership records are not readily available, will be accepted as members by profession of faith once they publicly announce their desire to do so and confirm their belief in the doctrines of the church.