Membership
We believe Christ intended for all Christians to be members of a local church. Covenant membership is vital to a Christian’s spiritual health and to their progress in becoming more like Christ. It recognizes the Christian necessity of both being blessed by others and being a blessing to others. It is a pledge to be a functioning member of the church body, to submit to particular God-ordained leaders, to be faithful in carrying out a Christian’s reasonable service (Rom. 12:1), that God may be glorified in the church.
Steps to become a member:
- Attend a membership class (we hold these periodically as we have interest)
- Be interviewed by an elder
- Baptism (if needed)
- Join the church in membership at a Covenant Affirmation service
Baptism
Baptism is an outward sign of God’s saving work within a person. It signifies a person’s death to their old way of life, and resurrection to new life in Christ. It is a baptism into a fellowship of those who have repented and put their faith in Jesus, the first step of Christian obedience, and the door to membership in the church. As Baptists, we believe only those who have repented of their sins and believed in Christ for eternal life should be baptized, and we believe in baptism by immersion. You only need to be baptized at First Baptist if you have not already been baptized as a believer.
Steps to get baptized:
- Attend a membership class (we’ll cover baptism in the class)
- Be interviewed by an elder
- Get baptized