Do you belong to a church? Sadly, there are many professing Christians who just stay at home and are content to watch television or simply worship with their families at home. Many others simply assume that attending a church is equal to being a member. Attendance, however, is only the first step; it should lead to a formal membership.

What Is Church Membership?

Everyone who is trusting in Christ and repenting of his sins should be baptized and united to a local church (Acts 2:41). While many churches do not have formal membership, the Bible assumes that all Christians should be a recognized member of a local church where they are loved and accounted for.

Church membership is the outward demonstration of one’s inner commitment to identify with Christ and His followers, worship God with them, be taught the Scriptures, submit to God’s ordained authority structure, selflessly serve other believers, and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ together.

In this way, a believer is accountable to the church so that there is an observable spiritual growth. When no such growth is evident, then he will be admonished gently by the church and the leadership with an aim of restoration. How can one belong to Christ, and not His body, of which He is the Head?

What Is the Biblical Basis for Church Membership?

Church members are known and cared for by the church

In the book of Acts, Luke records specific numbers of those who belonged to the church. In Acts 1:15, there were 120; in Acts 2:41, three thousand were added; in Acts 4:4, the number increased to five thousand. Also, in 1 Timothy 5:9 widows were recognized members of the congregation whose needs were known and whose names were put on a list for special care.

Church officers are chosen by the church

In Acts 6:2–5, the Apostles instructed the believers in Jerusalem to “pick out from among you seven men” to serve the people. “From among you” indicates clarity of “who is in” and “who is out.”

Church discipline is practiced

Corrective church discipline requires formal membership. Scripture distinguishes between those “inside” and “outside” the church (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; 2 Corinthians 2:6).

The church participates in corporate worship

“If therefore the whole church comes together…” (1 Corinthians 14:23). The church is an assembly, and orderly worship assumes a recognized body of believers.

Pastors must give an account for their flock

Hebrews 13:17 commands submission to spiritual leadership. This accountability requires clarity as to who belongs to the flock.

What Is the Benefit of Church Membership?

• The faithful exposition of the gospel and the whole counsel of God
• Loving and edifying Christian fellowship
• Caring shepherding by biblically qualified elders
• The right administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
• Formative and corrective church discipline

How Do I Become a Member of Grace?

To become a member at Grace PCA involves a three-step process:

1. Meet with Dr. Jacobs and his wife Debbie to share your testimony and review Distinctives of Grace.
2. Meet with the Session to affirm your testimony and answer membership vows.
3. Public reception before the congregation, with baptism administered if needed.

Infant Baptism

While the New Testament does not explicitly command infant baptism, neither does it forbid it. Scripture demonstrates continuity between circumcision and baptism (Colossians 2:8–15), and covenant promises extend to believers and their children (Acts 2:38–39).

Baptism marks a child as part of the visible church. Like circumcision, baptism without faith avails nothing, but it sets apart covenant children within the community of God’s people.

Parents bear primary responsibility for discipling their children in the faith (1 Corinthians 7:12–14).