How to Join

When May I Join and Become a Member of First Baptist Church Alpharetta?

At the conclusion of each worship service, the pastor extends an invitation to those seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and/or to those seeking membership. Those who desire to respond are asked to do so in one of the following ways:

1. Option 1: During the invitation time, you may walk to the front of the worship center where a counselor may assist you.
2. Option 2: During a new members class you will be offered an opportunity to join the church.

What Are the Ways I May Become a Church Member?

Membership is open to anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. FBCA receives people into membership in one of four ways depending upon one's religious background:

• If you are a new Christian, you may join by profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and as a candidate for baptism.
• If your previous church involvement has been in a non-Baptist church (Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, etc.) you may join as a Christian from another denomination and as a candidate for baptism.
• If you are currently a member of another Baptist church, you may join by transfer of letter or membership.
• If you are a former Baptist or were baptized by immersion, you may join by statement of your faith and obedience in baptism.

What Part Does New Testament Baptism Play in Church Membership?

1. Meaning: Baptism follows salvation, which is why it is called believer's baptism. Baptism is commanded for new believers (Matt. 28:18-20). Baptism does not save you or make you a Christian; your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone and His sacrifice for your sin makes you a Christian. Believer's baptism should be one of the first acts of obedience as a Christian. It identifies you as a member of the body of Christ.
    
2. Method: Biblical baptism is complete immersion. Additionally, the English word "baptism" actually comes from the Greek word, baptizo, which means "to immerse or submerge." Therefore, biblical baptism is complete immersion by a Christian to identify himself/herself with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus provides the example of biblical baptism in Matt. 3:16, which records: "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water..."
    
3. Significance: Though Baptism is not essential for salvation it is a prerequisite to membership.   Baptism publicly identifies you with Jesus Christ, who is now your Lord. It is public testimony to your faith in Jesus Christ being born again and becoming a new creation. Through Baptism you declare that you belong to Jesus Christ and are committing your life to serving Him. It is not a requirement for salvation, but it is commanded for all those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
    
4. Symbolism: Baptism is a symbol of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Immersion provides a re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows that you have died with Christ, have been buried with him, and are raised again to walk in newness of life. Paul described baptism in Rom. 6:4: "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."

Why is Church Membership Important?

At First Baptist Alpharetta, we recognize the need for formal membership. We believe formal membership in a local church is important for four reasons.

• The first is a Biblical reasons. Christ is committed to the church. Ephesians 5:25 states, "Christ loved the church, and gave His life for her."  Membership in a local church is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to Christ.
• The second reason is a cultural reason. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything: a job, a marriage, or family. This attitude has produced a generation of church hoppers and shoppers. Membership swims against the current of America's consumer mentality and is an antidote to society. Membership sets us apart from the culture allowing us to preserve our distinctive Christian beliefs and values.
• The third reason why we emphasize formal membership is a practical reason. Membership identifies our community and family. It defines who can be entrusted with positions of leadership within the church. Lastly, we each have a personal reason why membership is important. Membership produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. A person cannot be accountable when they are not committed to any specific church family.