With so much religious confusion in the world today, it is imperative that the church of Christ let people know clearly and precisely what God has to say in His word about becoming a member of the church. In the Bible, we find that when people obeyed the gospel of Christ and became Christians, God added them to His church (Acts 2:47). Thus, when we speak of terms of admission, we are really discussing what one must do in order to be saved.
The following steps are necessary to one’s salvation:
- One must hear the gospel of Christ. Paul writes, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
- One must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Jesus said, “…for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).
- One must repent of his sins. Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3,5).
- One must confess Christ. Paul writes, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10).
- One must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
When we look at the example in Acts chapter two, the apostle Peter told the Jews present, “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). In verse 41 it then says, “Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” The chapter then closes by stating, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).
Note that when people did as they were commanded, the Lord added or admitted them into the church. There was no voting and no required series of studies before admittance; just, simple obedience to the gospel of Christ.
If we would be part of the Lord’s church today, we must do what He commands in His Word, and then He will add or admit us into the church, the body of the saved (Eph. 5:23). Live a Christian life unto death (1 Peter 2:10; Rev 2:10).
We at the Miami Gardens church of Christ are willing and ready to assist you TODAY!