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1. COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH

A Christian is called to commit himself or herself to a church family.  This cannot go in only one direction, it must be mutual, so that the church family is able to recognize and count on that commitment.  This mutual commitment is accomplished through church membership.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Acts 2:41-42; Ephesians 2:19-22

2. CONFESSION OF FAITH

A Christian is called to lay his or her confession of faith in Christ before the local church as witnesses.  The church family must be able to recognize and affirm a fellow brother or sister in Christ.  This confession of faith is accomplished through baptism or through church membership if a believer has already been baptized in another church.

1 Timothy 6:12; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-15; Matthew 18:18-19

3. ACCOUNTABILITY TO ELDERS

A Christian is called to enter into submitted accountability with the Elders of a local church for his or her spiritual growth and spiritual good.  A shepherd must be aware who the sheep are. This is accomplished through church membership.

Hebrews 13:17; 1Peter 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; Matthew 18:15-20

4. SERVING THE CHURCH

A Christian is called to serve the church with the spiritual gifts given him or her by the Holy Spirit.  This service participates in the body of Christ through mutual recognition of each other’s faith as fellow members in Christ’s body.  This service is made possible through church membership.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:4-8

5. SUBMISSION TO BIBLICAL TEACHING

A Christian is called to submit to the Biblical teaching of a church, which includes both assenting to the local church’s Statement of Faith and submitting under the faithful Biblical teaching of the Elders.  This commitment of submission is accomplished through church membership.

Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9, 2:15; Ephesians 4:11-16

Have you entered into mutual committment with this church family? 
Have you made your good confession of faith before God’s people? 
Are you in recognized accountability under the Elders of this church? 
Have you entered into mutual service with the church as one Body of Christ?  
Have you officially submitted under the Biblical teaching of the church?