Membership Application Form (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

COMMUNION: Communion is the regular partaking of the emblems of the bread and the cup as symbolic of the Saviour’s broken body

and shed blood. In following this ordinance, believers are remembering the Lord Jesus Christ; proclaiming His death; giving thanks for the

benefits of His broken body and shed blood; expressing their communion with Him and one another; celebrating his resurrection; and

anticipating His return (Matt.26:26-29: 1 Cor.10:16,17: 11:23-32).

THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: The new birth is the work of regeneration that the Holy Spirit executes, by which He then

indwells the believer. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct and subsequent to the new birth (Titus 3:5; John 3:5,6; 14:16,17;

Acts 8:14-17; 19:2). Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit and according to His command all believers are entitled to and should expect the Promise

of the Father – the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This was the normal and needful experience of Christians in the Church of the early days

(Matt.3:11; Acts 1:4,5; 2:38,39; 11:15,16). Through baptism in the Holy Spirit believers are empowered and equipped for life and service;

and with it comes the bestowment of the supernatural gifts of the Spirit and their uses in the work of the ministry (Mark 16:17; Acts 1:8;

1 Cor.12:4-11). The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit

gives utterance (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6).

SANCTIFICATION: The Scriptures demand a life of holiness. Believers are called to separation and consecration unto God (1 Pet.1:14-

16; 1 Thes.3:12,13; 4:3-7; 5:23; Heb.12:14). Christ’s holiness is imputed to the regenerated believer, but this positional holiness must be

worked out as practical sanctification in the believer’s conduct. Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the

new birth and continuing throughout the life of the Christian (1 Cor.1:2; 6;11; Heb.10:10,14; Philip. 3:12-14; 2 Cor.3:18; 1John 3:2,3).

Sanctification is an act of purification and separation from that which is evil; and of dedication unto God (2 Cor.7:1; Eph.4:22-24; 2 Tim.2:21,22).

Sanctification is realized in the life of believers by recognizing their identification with Christ in His death and resurrection; by faith reckoning

daily upon the fact of that union; and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (1 Cor.1:30;

Rom.6:11-14, 18-22; Gal.5:16-25; John 17:17; James 1:21).

DIVINE HEALING AND MIRACLES: Divine healing was provided for in the Old Testament and is an integral part of the Gospel.

The New Testament declares that through Christ’s redemptive work, full provision has been made for physical healing and health. It is the

privilege of believers today (Ex.23:25; Isa.53:4,5; Matt.8:16,17; 1 Pet.2:24; Gal.3:13,14; Luke 10:9). Healing is for physical ills of the body and

is wrought by God’s power in different ways, like the laying on of hands; the prayer of faith; anointing with oil; or the gifts of healing (Mark

16:17,18; 6:13; Acts 28:8,9; James 5:14-16; 1 Cor.12:9). Miracles are supernatural works, signs or wonders of the unchangeable God and are

possible in the present day (Mark 16:17-20; John 14:12; Acts 6:8; 8:6; 1 Cor.12:10; Rom. 15:18,19; 2 Cor.12:12).

THE CHURCH: The one true Church is the whole company of all believers who have been called out of sin and the world, redeemed by

Jesus and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It is universal in the sense that it includes all true believers out of all nations from all generations.

Each Christian is an integral part of the general assembly and Church of the firstborn registered in heaven (Matt.16:16-19; Eph.4:3-6; 1Pet.2:5,9,10;

Heb.12:23). Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and the Bible describes it in different terms, for example, the Body of Christ, His bride,

the family of God, the building and habitation of God (Eph.1:22,23; 2 Cor.11:2; Eph.5:25-27; 3:15; 2:19-22). The Church also has a visible,

local expression – a company of believers voluntarily fellowshipping in a given locality.

The local church on earth should take its character from the conception of the Church universal (Matt.18:15-17; 1 Cor.1:2; Heb 10:24,25).

Therefore, the essentials of Church membership are the new birth and personal confession of faith in Christ. It is not merely the attending

of church services or having a name on the membership list that makes one a member of Christ’s true Church. Only the transforming work

of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the repentant sinner qualifies one for membership in the Body of Christ (Acts 2:38-41, 47; Eph.2:13,18,19).

The Bible teaches the principle of being in submission to authority. As such, it is understood that church membership shall be

subject to submission to authority in matters pertaining to church governance, doctrine and personal behaviour. (Heb.13:17; 1 Thes.5:12,13;

1 Pet.5:2-5). The Bible teaches heterosexual relationships between a natural man and a natural woman within the confines of lawful matrimony.

Adherence to this stated principle of sexual behaviour is an inherent requirement for membership in this local church (Gen.1:27,28; Lev.18:22;

Rom.1:27). The primary mission of the Church is to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world; to be a corporate body bringing praise

and worship to God; to be a gathering where the saints can be equipped, edified and perfected in the image of God’s Son; to be a demonstration

of God’s love and goodness to all; to be a foundation upholding God’s wisdom and truth; to be a catalyst of constructive social change and

justice in the community, ministering to the poor and oppressed; and to be an instrument enforcing Satan’s defeat through God’s power

(Matt.28:19,20; Acts 1:8; Eph.1:6,12,14; 4:11-16; 3:10; Gal.5:13,14; 6:9,10; 1 Tim.3:15; Matt.25:35-40; Acts 20:35; Rom.16;20).

THE MINISTRY: Every Christian is a priest – to bring acceptable spiritual sacrifices, by full and equal access, to God through Christ; a

minister or servant – to serve God and one another through love; a steward – to profitably use the trust granted by God; and a worker –

to fulfill the labour of love in God’s kingdom (Rev.1:6; Heb.10:19-22; 13:15,16; 6:10; 1 Pet.2:5,9; 4:10,11; Eph.4:7,12; 2:10; Matt.25:14). The

ascended Christ has given various ministries to the Church – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – which are essential to

equip the saints for the work of the ministry and to build up the Body of Christ (Eph.4:11,12; 1 Cor.12:28; Rom.12:4-13).

SATAN: The devil is a fallen being cast down from heaven because of his transgression. He is not an impersonal force, nor the principle

of evil personified – personal names and pronouns are used with reference to him, while personal attributes and acts are ascribed to him

(Isa.14:12-17; Rev.12:9). He is the real enemy of Christians; and together with his demons seek to deceive, tempt, afflict, oppress and destroy

humankind. The believer, however, has been given authority over them in the name of Jesus Christ (John 8:44; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 10:38;

Eph.6:11,12; James 4:7; 1 Pet.5:8,9; 1John 3:8).

RHEMA MINISTRIES SA

Private Bag X3062

RANDBURG 2125 RSA

Tel: (011) 796-4000

Fax: (011) 796-4093

Web:

Cnr Rabie & Hans Schoeman Streets, Randpark Ridge, RANDBURG 2194 RSA

Membership Application Form Page 3

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