Church membership is of two kinds; Baptized and Communicant.
Baptized Membership
When a person, regardless of age, becomes a Christian
through the Word and Sacrament of Holy Baptism, he or she has been brought
into the Communion of Saints, the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in
Mark 10:14-15
"Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them;
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever
does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at
all."
In order for a little child to be baptized at Immanuel
and to be brought into the community of saints and counted as one of God's
very own children, the parents undergo a class
on the doctrine of Holy Baptism and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In
this class the students learn the most basic doctrines of the Christian
Faith. Adult candidates for baptism are required to attend this class and
be taught the very same. Once the basic doctrines of Christ are taught,
the baptismal candidate will be baptized if he or she is in agreement with
these doctrines and expresses a desire to receive what Christ has to give
in the sacrament.
Communicant Membership
Communicant membership in a Lutheran congregation
requires a more thorough examination of Christian doctrine. It also requires
an ability on the part of the member to examine him or herself in light
of the Bible's teachings on the Lord's Supper. Unlike the Sacrament of
Holy Baptism, the Bible teaches that one can be harmed spiritually.
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