Appendix 4.1.A: Clarification on Church Membership Procedures
The following clarifications are provided to support the implementation and understanding of Article 4, “Church Membership,” by grounding its provisions in biblical precedent and spiritual principle:
• Baptism is a command of Christ, not a congregational decision. Scripture shows that baptism is an act of obedience following salvation, and is not contingent upon the approval or vote of the church body. The church recognizes baptism as a matter of spiritual obedience, not administrative discretion (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41).
• Church membership is a covenant relationship, and may follow baptism and orientation. While baptism signifies entrance into the body of Christ spiritually, membership in a local church includes commitment to that specific body, its doctrine, discipline, and mission. Therefore, the congregation may be asked to affirm a new believer’s covenant relationship following baptism and any further orientation.
• The Lead Pastor may exercise spiritual discretion regarding the timing of baptism. Drawing from examples such as John the Baptist’s call for observable repentance (Matthew 3:8) and Philip’s immediate response to the Ethiopian eunuch’s profession (Acts 8:36–38), the Lead Pastor is granted discretion to assess the timing of baptism based on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the individual’s testimony.
This structure affirms that church membership is a spiritually significant step, treated with both care and biblical fidelity.
• Baptism is a command of Christ, not a congregational decision. Scripture shows that baptism is an act of obedience following salvation, and is not contingent upon the approval or vote of the church body. The church recognizes baptism as a matter of spiritual obedience, not administrative discretion (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41).
• Church membership is a covenant relationship, and may follow baptism and orientation. While baptism signifies entrance into the body of Christ spiritually, membership in a local church includes commitment to that specific body, its doctrine, discipline, and mission. Therefore, the congregation may be asked to affirm a new believer’s covenant relationship following baptism and any further orientation.
• The Lead Pastor may exercise spiritual discretion regarding the timing of baptism. Drawing from examples such as John the Baptist’s call for observable repentance (Matthew 3:8) and Philip’s immediate response to the Ethiopian eunuch’s profession (Acts 8:36–38), the Lead Pastor is granted discretion to assess the timing of baptism based on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the individual’s testimony.
This structure affirms that church membership is a spiritually significant step, treated with both care and biblical fidelity.