Membership

The Grace Brethren Chapel is an independent, autonomous local church who has partnered with the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International (CGBCI) for the purpose of accomplishing the Great Commission, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

The local church is a small but essential part of the universal Church, which is the bride and body of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23). Each local church is comprised of an assembly of people who regularly gather to worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Local churches exist in every city and town where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed (Acts 13:1, 14:23, 15:41).

Definition:

Membership in the local church bestows certain and specific blessings, rights, and responsibilities upon the individual. The first step of membership in the local church is membership in the universal Church, the body of Christ (Eph. 5:25-26). This occurs when an individual professes faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation from the penalty of death brought about by personal sin. Confession of sin and repentance accompany this profession of faith, as well as a commitment to now live according to God’s law and for God’s glory, rather than for one’s own personal interests.

Requirements:

Membership in the Grace Brethren Chapel is limited to the individual who becomes a disciple of Christ and is baptized by trine immersion.

Those who desire to be members will be asked to provide their personal testimony of salvation, usually to an elder or other mature church member, in order to confirm that the profession of faith is genuine (as far as it is possible to determine by human wisdom).
Baptism by trine immersion is an identification of the individual with the saving work of each member of the Triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This baptism, which is performed publicly, is a confirmation of the individual’s profession of faith and their commitment to the local body of believers.