Church Membership

Why

We believe that being a member of a local church is a foundational part of the Christian life. Indeed, the Scriptures do not present to us a version of the Christian life that excludes the local church.

When someone believes the gospel and trusts in Jesus Christ, they immediately become a member of the universal Church (Ephesians 5:23-27). But they should then seek to become a member of a local church. This is the clear pattern we see in the New Testament. For example, consider Acts 2:41-47. All those who believed the gospel that Peter preached were baptized, and then were "added" to the local church at Jerusalem. Then, in verses 42-47, we see that the members of this local church were living the Christian life together. In particular, we read that they were especially devoted to gathering together to: (1) hear and obey the Word of God (2) fellowship (3) partake of the Lord's Supper and (4) pray.

The Scriptures make clear that to be "added" or to "join" a local church is to be committed to an identifiable group of baptized believers who have covenanted with one another to live the Christian life together. They gather together to pray, sing, and hear God's Word read and preached (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2). They participate in and partake of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-47). They practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5). They edify one another with their Spirit-given, spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11). They stir one another up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). They walk in obedience to all the "one another" commands. They proclaim the gospel to the lost world around them and seek to make disciples (Acts 8:4-13; Matthew 28:18-20).

So, when we join a local church, we make visible our commitment to Jesus and His people, we live the Christian life with a particular body of believers, and we walk in obedience to God's Word.

How

To join FBCP, one must, first, be a baptized believer. Then, he or she will take several membership classes, be interviewed by an elder(s), and, lastly, be voted on by the congregation.


To learn more about who we are as a church, read our statement of faith and church covenant

Questions about church membership? Use the form below to contact us.