How To Get Into The Church

Why is it important to be in the Church?

  • Acts 4:12closeActs 4:12 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV) closeActs 4:12closeActs 4:12 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
  • Eph 1:3closeEphesians 1:3 Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV) closeEphesians 1:3closeEphesians 1:3 Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV) Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

How does one become a member of the Church?

1. Must be drawn to Christ by the teaching of the Word

  • John 6:44-45closeJohn 6:44-45 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— (ESV) closeJohn 6:44-45closeJohn 6:44-45 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— (ESV) 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— (ESV) “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
  • Rom 10:13-17closeRomans 10:13-17 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV) closeRomans 10:13-17closeRomans 10:13-17 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV) 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”  Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
  • Matt 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
  • Acts 8:31closeActs 8:31 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (ESV) closeActs 8:31closeActs 8:31 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (ESV) 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (ESV) “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

2. Must have faith

  • Rom 5:1closeRomans 5:1 Peace with God Through Faith 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) closeRomans 5:1closeRomans 5:1 Peace with God Through Faith 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) Peace with God Through Faith 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • Rom 10:10closeRomans 10:10 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) closeRomans 10:10closeRomans 10:10 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
  • Heb 11:6closeHebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV) closeHebrews 11:6closeHebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
  • John 3:16closeJohn 3:16 For God So Loved the World 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) closeJohn 3:16closeJohn 3:16 For God So Loved the World 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) For God So Loved the World 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
  • John 1:11closeJohn 1:11 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (ESV) closeJohn 1:11closeJohn 1:11 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (ESV) 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (ESV) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
  • John 1:12closeJohn 1:12 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV) closeJohn 1:12closeJohn 1:12 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV) 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

3. Must repent

  • Luke 13:3closeLuke 13:3 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (ESV) closeLuke 13:3closeLuke 13:3 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (ESV) 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (ESV) I  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
  • Acts 2:38closeActs 2:38 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) closeActs 2:38closeActs 2:38 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 17:30-31closeActs 17:30-31 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (ESV) closeActs 17:30-31closeActs 17:30-31 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (ESV) 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (ESV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

4. Must confess Jesus

  • Matt 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
  • Rom 10:10closeRomans 10:10 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) closeRomans 10:10closeRomans 10:10 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

5. Must be baptized

What is baptism?

  • Acts 8:36closeActs 8:36 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (ESV) closeActs 8:36closeActs 8:36 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (ESV) 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (ESV) –38 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
  • Acts 10:47closeActs 10:47 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (ESV) closeActs 10:47closeActs 10:47 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (ESV) 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (ESV) Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
  • Eph 4:4-5closeEphesians 4:4-5 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (ESV) closeEphesians 4:4-5closeEphesians 4:4-5 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (ESV) 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (ESV) There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
  • Matt 28:18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
  • Mark 16:15-16closeMark 16:15-16 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV) closeMark 16:15-16closeMark 16:15-16 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV) 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
  • Acts 2:38closeActs 2:38 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) closeActs 2:38closeActs 2:38 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Gal 3:26-27closeGalatians 3:26-27 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (ESV) closeGalatians 3:26-27closeGalatians 3:26-27 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (ESV) 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (ESV) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
  • Rom 6:3-11closeRomans 6:3-11 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV) closeRomans 6:3-11closeRomans 6:3-11 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV) 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—  because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus
  • 1 Pet 3:21close1 Peter 3:21 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (ESV) close1 Peter 3:21close1 Peter 3:21 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (ESV) 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (ESV) and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

At this point, one is a member of the church, the Lord’s body!! He has access to the blood of Jesus.  He is saved!!

Can one fall from grace?

  • Luke 8:13closeLuke 8:13 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. (ESV) closeLuke 8:13closeLuke 8:13 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. (ESV) 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. (ESV) Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
  • 1 Cor 9:27close1 Corinthians 9:27 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 9:27close1 Corinthians 9:27 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV) 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
  • Gal 5:4closeGalatians 5:4 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (ESV) closeGalatians 5:4closeGalatians 5:4 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (ESV) 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (ESV) You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
  • 1 Tim 3:6close1 Timothy 3:6 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (ESV) close1 Timothy 3:6close1 Timothy 3:6 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (ESV) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (ESV) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
  • 1 Tim 6:9close1 Timothy 6:9 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (ESV) close1 Timothy 6:9close1 Timothy 6:9 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (ESV) 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (ESV) People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
  • Heb 6:6closeHebrews 6:6 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (ESV) closeHebrews 6:6closeHebrews 6:6 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (ESV) 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (ESV) If they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
  • 1 John 1:5-10close1 John 1:5-10 Walking in the Light 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV) close1 John 1:5-10close1 John 1:5-10 Walking in the Light 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV) Walking in the Light 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

While the Christian will continue to sin, it’s vital that he return to God with a penitent heart – then the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin and keeps us in a right relationship with God.