We have seen that if Jesus insisted on Nicodemus’ being “born again” in order to enter the “kingdom of God,” we should not allow someone to “join” the visible assembly of believers unless he gives evidence of having been truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The holding by Baptists of this tenet of a regenerate church membership combined with the conviction that baptism is for believers only truly distinguishes us from other Christian denominations that practice infant baptism.
By our insistence on a regenerate church membership, we are not saying that we accept only perfect people. The expression in Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should [were being] saved” suggests that the process of spiritual perfection (sanctification) only begins at the moment of salvation. While we desire to open the door of membership wide to all that are truly saved, however little their faith may be, we are compelled by Scripture to guard that door against worldly professors and false teachers. A true child of God is “alive” spiritually even if he is not yet mature. Dead members don’t count!
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...