Membership
First Baptist is a community of faith committed to connecting with God and caring for others. If you desire to join with us and will be supportive of the beliefs, fellowship, and mission of our church, we warmly invite you to become a member. Here are the three steps to becoming a member:
1. Present yourself for membership during any Worship Service when the invitation is given at the end of the message. 2. The Minister will introduce you to the church congregation and give them the opportunity to meet you. 3. A minister or deacon will make an appointment to meet with you and counsel you in your decision. Express your desire for membership through one of the following means: Profession of faith and Baptism If you have never received Jesus as Savior and Lord and/or never publicly confessed Him, you will be given an opportunity to do so. After your decision has been confirmed, an appointment will be made for your baptism. For more information about baptism, scroll down. Transfer of membership from another Southern Baptist Church If you are currently a member of another Southern Baptist Church, we will receive you as a member upon promise of a letter from that church. We will contact that church to notify them of your decision and request your letter. Statement of faith If you know in your heart that you have previously experienced salvation by receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord, we will be happy to receive you. It will be necessary for you to be baptized if you have never been baptized by immersion after your salvation experience or if you were baptized in a church which holds a different view of salvation, baptism, or eternal security. 
The meaning of baptism
Baptism symbolizes an individuals identification with God, Christ and his people. The new relationship is based on God's grace through one's faith in Christ's finished work on the cross (Acts 8:26-40; Acts 9:18) The purpose of baptism Baptism is a one time act that gives a person the opportunity to publicly confess to that individual's community (his or her family, friends, the church body) that he/she has received Christ as the forgiver of his/her sins and the leader of his/her life. Clarifying statements 1.People do not get baptized to have their sins forgiven – they get baptized because their sins have been forgiven through Christ’s death and resurrection. 2.People do not get baptized to get closer to God – they get baptized because they are already close to God through faith in Christ. 3.People do not get baptized to please God – they get baptized because Jesus Christ has already made them pleasing to God. 4.People do not get baptized merely to become members of the church – they get baptized because they are already members of the invisible church, the universal body of Christ, made up of people who have put their faith in Christ as their forgiver and leader. Have you ever been so excited about something that you just had to tell someone about it? Making a commitment to accept Jesus as your Savior is a pretty exciting event that is definitely worth talking about and celebrating. Believer’s Baptism is a picture of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and an opportunity to express to others that you identify yourself as His follower. If you have never been baptized before, or if you were previously baptized as a baby, consider taking this next step in your faith journey. |
