How do I become a Christian?

Admit to God your need for salvation, that you are a sinner, and that you want to be forgiven.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord . . . (Acts 3:19)

. . .for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Believe that Jesus is the Savior and accept His gift of forgiveness for your sins.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
(John 1:11-13)

“for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and commit to follow Him.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

How do I become a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church?

Any person regardless of race, color, or national origin, may offer himself/herself in person or by proxy, as a candidate for membership in this church at any regular worship service in any of the following ways:

Upon satisfactory evidence of personal saving experience with Jesus Christ and upon a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and a commitment of one’s life to Him as Lord, a person may be received as a candidate for baptism. New Testament baptism symbolizes both a historical fact and a present experience. The historical fact is the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; the present experience is the death of the believer to the old life of sin, and resurrection to the new life in Christ. The mode of baptism is immersion in water. The believer submits to the ordinance of baptism as an act of obedience to the Lord, but the ordinance is not a part of, nor essential to, his salvation.

A person may be received upon presentation of, or promise of, a letter of dismissal from another church of like faith and order.

A person may be received upon statement of a prior conversion experience and baptism when no letter is obtainable.

Any former member whose relationship has been terminated for any reason whatsoever may, upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee and the vote of the Church, be restored to full membership.

Persons who are temporary residents in the city or who are members of another denomination or have other justifiable reasons, as determined by the Membership Committee, and would like to come under spiritual watchcare of our church, may do so by presenting themselves for membership.

Persons who are born again believers and make a profession of faith in Christ but due to infirmity are unable to receive New Testament baptism may be received under the spiritual watchcare. These persons shall have rights and privileges ordinarily afforded full members of the Church such as benefit of the clergy and pastoral care, participation in the observance of the Lord’s Supper, etc. However, they shall not hold general office in the Church or its organizations or vote in Church business meetings, unless specifically approved by the Church. When such persons are able and are baptized by immersion, they shall be received into full membership.

While candidates for membership may present themselves to the Church at any regular worship service, they will be admitted to full membership only upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee to the Church at a regular or called business meeting.

Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Pastor and the Membership Committee for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the Church within sixty (60) days. A three-fourths vote of those members present and voting shall be required to elect such a candidate to membership.

Membership shall be terminated in any of the following ways: (a) death, (b) transfer of letter to another church of like faith and order, (c) exclusion by action of this Church, (d) terminated upon becoming affiliated with a church of another faith or denomination, or (e) upon request of the member.