Plan of salvation

Articles

Bulletin
03/14/24 - Member contributed

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

If you want to become a member of the church of Christ, you need to be added by Jesus himself.

Acts 2:44,46-47 "44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH daily such as should be saved."

As you have read from verse 47, those who believed in Jesus were added to his church. They were added by Jesus himself. But it is not only belief that is needed for you to be added to Christ's Church. Few more things need to be done. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, the Jews who were convicted of crucifying the innocent Lord asked the most important question.

Acts 2:37-38 "37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

When they asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Did they do this? Surely Yes.

Acts 2:40-41 "... And with many other words he (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourself from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."

Those who believed and got baptized were added to a group of apostles and therefore were added to the church. (Acts 2: 47) This is how one becomes a member of the church of Christ. He is added by Christ upon belief, repentance and being baptized. Let's see if the Corinthians were added to the church through this same process.

Acts 18:1,4,8 "1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized."

The Corinthians heard the gospel preached, believed and then got baptized. This is how they were added to the church of Christ. This is how they became members of the Lord's church.

If you want to become the son of God then don't hesitate to believe, repent and be baptized. And this is how you put on Christ.

Galatians 3:26-27 "26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

It is through baptism that you become a Christian. And it is through baptism that you become part of the saved. It is through baptism that you are connected to Christ, the source of righteousness. If you are ready to become a Christian, brethren in the church of Christ are more than ready to help you. Visit the church of Christ that is near to you. You will receive a warm welcome and get helped.

"The churches of Christ greet you." (Rom 16: 16)