Page 84 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a sermon to all those who observed the event. There must have been
several thousand people listening to his sermon. After hearing the gospel and being convicted of sin, here is
what Peter said to the crowd when they asked, “What shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John Macarthur in his notes on this verse comments, “…for the forgiveness of sin.
This might better be translated “because of the forgiveness of sins.” Baptism does not
produce forgiveness and cleansing from sin. The reality of forgiveness precedes the
rite of baptism.” (Macarthur Study Bible, p. 1603)

However, in this verse, faith resulted in forgiveness of sins and an immediate response
to proclaiming faith by the act of baptism. As the narration continues, many of those
who heard Peter responded to his message, trusted Christ as Savior, and were immediately baptized. It was a
symbol of their genuine faith in Christ; and act of obedience and a willingness to openly confess Him as Lord. As
these new believers were baptized, they were saying that they were saved.

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their
number that day.

Wow! Three thousand believed and were baptized and were added to the church. Notice that the Scriptures
does not say “a large crowd” believed and were baptized, but the actual number of those who were saved is
recorded. In Acts 1:15, there were 120 members of the church. In this passage, the church added 3,000, and
again added 5,000 more (4:4). Daily, people were responding to the Gospel of Grace, and daily people were
added to the church (2:47). Because the actual numbers were recorded, evidently the church was keeping track
and recording names of those who accepted Christ, were baptized, and were being added to the church (role).

Again, we do not build doctrine on historical events in the Bible. But we can note what the early church did in
response to a clear biblical declaration from Peter. They expected those who were entering the church would
be baptized. So today the local church that makes that a requirement for becoming a member of the church has
a good basis in creating that condition.

Some local churches require church membership to be able to teach or minister within the church. Is this
biblical? Churches that require this are only verifying that the person who is involved (representing the church)
in a teaching or ministry role has met the basic requirements of membership. This is to ensure that those who
are in any leadership role within the church are believers who have given clear testimony of their faith verbally
and by baptism. While there may not be a chapter and verse to support such a policy, it certainly is a logical and
legitimate plan which is in harmony with the Word of God.

Local churches might have a list of various other steps or conditions that a person must take to “join” as
members. While perhaps these conditions may not be supported directly by the Bible, the local church is at
liberty to create policies, if those who wish to join the church are willing to abide by them. For most Bible
believing churches, the requirement includes salvation and baptism. The first question they ask is, “Are you
saved?”

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