New Members
HANDBOOK
“Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ!”
1001 Eugene St., Indianapolis, IN 46208 • 317.925.4132 [p] • 866.792.8187 [f] Website: www.CMBCIndy.org Email: cmbc1001@yahoo.com • www.facebook.com/cmbc.org
#CMBCIndy While waiting for a wedding to begin at 451 W. 16th Place, the minister in charge, Rev. Westbrook, who was the Pastor at the time of our oldest black Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Second Baptist Church said, “This would be a good time for a church to be organized in this area.” That small group of people back in 1919 accepted that challenge and made plans to organize a church. After being organized, they began to have services from house-to-house for a few weeks. We have had eight (8) Pastors throughout our existence. There have been three churches organized out of our flock: 25th Street Baptist Church-1931, Pilgrim Baptist Church-1939, and Pleasant Union Baptist Church-1964. We are proud to say, our Pastor, Dr. Melvin B. Girton, Sr., was raised up in this church from a small boy starting in Sunday School, and when he was eleven years old he was converted and baptized by Rev. Edwards. The members worked and prayed for greater blessings, but it was not until after Rev. Edwards became their pastor that a ray of light fell on them. The church really began to grow spiritually and numerically, so it was suggested that we seek a larger edifice. We finally found the site on Eugene and Rader Streets in 1955. Through the blessing of our Lord, we put an addition to the church that included an elevator, new kitchen and bathrooms. We thank the Lord for all of our blessings as we still walk by faith. In May 1998, we purchased the mall on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Eugene Streets. “Flowing Waters” Laundry Mat was established August 6, 1998, and on June 14, 1999 “Your Ice Cream Parlor” opened for business. In October 2006, the Christ Missionary Baptist Church Institute of Christian Education was implemented. On March 29, 2015 the church unanimously voted the Rev. John E. Girton, Jr. in as Senior Pastor of Christ Missionary 2 - www.CMBCIndy.org
BEGINNING
History of
Baptist Church. Pastor G, as he is known throughout the community was born into and baptized at Christ Missionary Baptist Church when he was seven years old. In keeping with the community activism of our historic church, Pastor G sought to build onto the rich legacy and foundation begun by those who labored before us. His goal was to embrace our history rather than erase our history. Pastor G hit the streets immediately and began challenging the leadership of the city, the members of the church and the political establishment to commit resources to the families of the community. Our pastor’s vision for the community was for the body of Christ to provide hope by meeting people where they are and by building families from the inside out. Now after nearly 100 years of service to the Lord, 36 years as 17th Street Baptist Church and over 60 years on the corner of Eugene and Rader, we are still like those ordinary people who started our church back in 1919. We have been implementing our mission to minister to the needs of God’s people, save the lost and revitalize the hopes of our neighbors while worshipping God with a commitment to love each other as God loves us. We pray that God will continue to bless this location where our forefathers brought us in 1955. To God Be The Glory!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHRIST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Inside cover
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MEMBER (S1)
4
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
6
DOCTRINE, RULES & REGULATIONS (S2)
8
CHURCH COVENANT (S3) 11
CHRIST MMISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH VISION (S4)
12
CHURCH’S RESPONSIBILITY TO YOU (S5)
13
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHURCH (S6)
17
TITHES AND OFFERINGS (S7)
20
LESSON A1: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED
23
LESSON A2: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BAPTISED
25
LESSON A3: WHAT IT MEANS TO TAKE THE LORD’S SUPPER
28
31
A4: MEET YOUR CHURCH STAFF
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 3
MEMBER
SESSION
What it means to be a
1
#CMBCIndy respects the dignity and desire of every member to explore their gifts, talents and abilities. Respect and trust is a hallmark of our leadershp team and membership.
A church is not the building in which the people meet. A church is a congregation of baptized believers voluntarily associated together for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel, observing he ordinances, and fellowshipping in the love and grace of the Lord Jesus. Jesus founded the church (Matthew 16:18) and so loved it that He gave Himself for it (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). ARTICLE IV Membership (pending approval in 2017) Sec. 1. Membership in the local Christ Missionary Baptist Church body adheres to biblical teachings as stated in ARTICLE VI of the Declaration of Faith; The New Hampshire Confession of Faith. Christ Missionary Baptist Church complies with 4 - www.CMBCIndy.org
applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Christ Missionary Baptist Church does not exclude people or treat them differently because of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Sec. 2.
The following persons may be admitted to regular membership in this Church: A. Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given evidence of a change of heart may become a member, subject to baptism. B. Members or former members of an Evangelical church who have been Scripturally baptized and profess publically their faith and hope in Christ Jesus. C. Any person who has made a public profession of faith but who is physically or developmentally unable to be baptized.
Sec. 3.
Membership is available to all candidates after satisfactory completion of membership orientation shall have indicated their acceptance of the mission and purpose of the local Church. After which candidates will be extended the right hand of fellowship.
Sec. 4.
Release of Members. A. Any member, who for the period of three consecutive months has not participated in the Lord’s Supper, neither participated in worship services nor contributed to the financial support of the Church, shall after being contacted, have his or her membership status reclassified as inactive. B. By Letter any member in good standing, may, upon request, be granted a letter of release to unite with the church of their choice. C. A member accused of conduct unbecoming his profession and church membership within the mass media, including but not limited to social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Google+, YouTube, etc.) may be subject to censure, provided that reasonable warning/notice of any proposed action shall have been given to the member, if he or she can be located, and opportunity given for explanation. Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 5
organizational chart of CMBCIndy
6 - www.CMBCIndy.org
questions & answers As a church member should I attend the services of the church?
Answer:�According to Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” I must faithfully attend the services of the church.
As a church member should I witness for Jesus? Answer:�According to Luke 24:45-48, Acts 1:8, we are to witness to the saving grace of Jesus to everyone everywhere.
As a church member, should I read my Bible and pray every day? Answer:�According to John 5:39, Acts 17:11, I Timothy 4:13-16, Revelation 1:3. I am faithfully to read by Bible and according to Luke 18:1 and I Thessalonians 5:17 I am to pray always.
Does God have a plan for me to support the church? Answer:�According to I Corinthians 16:1-2, I am every first day of the week (Sunday) to give to God a proportionate part of my
At #CMBC membership has its priveledges. You have access to all the rights and benefits of all other members.
income. The people of God under the law gave at least a tenth (Leviticus 27:30-33). Those who love Jesus will give even more. It is a holy privilege to (II Corinthians 8:9, II Corinthians 9:6, 7). Pastoral Leadership of
Christ Missionary Baptist Church Rev. H.T. Borders 1919-1922 Rev. J.B. Carter 1922-1931 Rev. G.M. Mimms 1931-1932 Rev. E.J. Conely 1933-1933 Rev. F.F. Jefferson 1934-1939 Rev. W.M. Edwards 1939-1963 Dr. M.B. Girton, Sr. 1964-2015 Rev. John E. Girton, Jr. 2015-Present
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 7
Rules & Regulations
The Church is a company of regenerated persons (See Articles of Faith: VII. REGENERATION) who have been baptized on profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. They are united in covenant for worship, instruction, the observance of our Christian ordinances, and for service to the Lord. The Sacraments There are two sacraments or ordinances of the Christ Missionary Baptist Church that require our continual observance. They are Baptism and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. These are the only ordinances commanded by Christ for our perpetual observance, 8 - www.CMBCIndy.org
SESSION
Doctrine
2
and they are therefore considered sacred. Baptism We accept Jesus Christ as our Supreme Lord and lawgiver, and therefore model our church after the Divinely-inspired instruction given to the New Testament church. We therefore accept baptism by submersion as the prerequisite to membership in the body of Christ. Baptism is a seal on the profession of your faith. It signifies our being buried with Christ, and resurrected with Him in the newness of life. Romans 8:10-11 (KJV) And if
Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. {11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Lord’s Supper Baptism is the Christian’s initiation; the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion) is the sacrament of Christian growth and development. Both are vital. The early Christians were well aware of this and valued both highly, including regular gatherings to eat and drink in remembrance of Christ. We are often impoverished by our own tradition of coming together for communion only once a month on the first Sunday of each month as a matter of expedience. The Lord’s Supper takes us back to the upper room where Christ shared His last Passover meal with his disciples. 1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV). And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper signifies our joint participation in the body and blood of Christ. It is how we give thanks to God for all that Jesus has done for us.
1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Church Authority The Church has only two official offices...the Pastor, and the Deacons. Together, they are responsible for managing the spiritual and business affairs of the church. Though their duties and level of
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 9
responsibility differ, together they complete God’s leadership plan for the body of Christ. The Pastor Our church is governed by Jesus Christ, with the pastor as the undershepherd, who leads and guides the members in their Christian duty. He is charged to cultivate his church through the preaching of sound gospel sermons, and teaching members how to personally apply God’s Word to their daily lives. The pastor has the oversight and supervision of all the interests of the church, and all departments in the church, both spiritual and temporal, that the purposes of Christ may be served in every way possible. (Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 for qualifications of a pastor.) The Deacons The office of a Deacon can be traced to the first church at Je10 - www.CMBCIndy.org
rusalem, where seven men were chosen to assist the apostles with church administration. (Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for qualifications of a Deacon). Deacons strengthen the spiritual ministry of the church and are • responsible for assisting the pastor in leading the congregation into achieving the total mission and ministry of the church. Every member is assigned a Deacon who is responsible for your spiritual care and nurturing in the body of Christ. Your Deacon may periodically advise the pastor of your progress in Christian growth. There are many other essential positions within the church structure. They include the Church Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Minister of Music, and a host of auxiliary departments such as the Usher Ministry, Youth Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and Men’s Ministry.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Covenant Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
SESSION
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
3
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern. We further engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and goodwill towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith. We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness, and into his marvelous light. When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word. Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 11
VISION
SESSION
Christ Missionary Baptist
4
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to help build the kingdon of God by meeting the needs of our members and reaching our community one soul at a time. MOTTO
Equipping Believers, Mobilizing the Church and Worshipping Christ MOTIVATION “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
12 - www.CMBCIndy.org
YOU
To Preach the Message of Salvation: You have joined a church whose commitment to Jesus Christ requires that it vehemently preach the message of salvation to its congregation, the community and the world. Consequently, the leadership of this church has made a personal commitment to do all in its power to lead you into a fuller understanding of your role as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our church recognizes the Lord’s Day (Sunday) as the day set aside by God for worship of Him, and as such, we consistently offer worship services every Sunday.
SESSION
The Church’s Responsibility to
5
We encourage you to form the early habit of setting aside the Lord’s Day as a day of reverence and worship of God. Your Pastoral leadership will, through the unction of the Holy Spirit, bring all the moral force of persuasion, consistent living, and Christian character to bear on every member through the authoritative administration of God’s Word. 2 Tim. 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 13
To Provide Sound Biblical Teaching and Doctrine: The Church, in response to its mandate to “study to show thyself approved unto God”, is committed to offering every member the opportunity to study in various group settings that will enhance your understanding of the Scriptures. Your Church is committed to offering weekly Bible Study, weekly Sunday School, periodic training and programs as determined necessary by its pastoral leadership, to enhance the effectiveness of our outreach and our duty to capture the world for Christ. Acts 5:42 (KJV) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. To Be Available for Private Counsel: When in the course of your daily walk with the Lord, you find that you are being spiritually challenged by circumstances that seem to be beyond your ability to cope, your church is committed to offering you private counsel with someone in a pastoral leadership capacity who is qualified to assist you in understanding your spiritual response to life’s challenges. Your church is committed to providing spiritual counsel to help 14 - www.CMBCIndy.org
you with marriage crisis, grieving the loss of a loved one, serious illness, financial crisis, drug and/ or alcohol addiction, criminal disobedience, and any situation that leaves you feeling lost or detached from your Source of strength -the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. To Pray for You: The prayer life of the church is the most important part of our responsibility to each other. Prayer satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart, and is the means by which we communicate our needs and concerns to God and discover His guidance for our lives. Your church and your pastor are committed to praying with you and for you...that your spiritual life may be connected to its source
of power, Jesus Christ. Our mid week prayer meeting demonstrates our commitment to corporate prayer as a body of believers with a common goal...to further the kingdom of God on earth.
in distress...especially the distress of losing a loved one. It is your church’s duty to funeralize our deceased Christian members with a Home-going Celebration, and to comfort our bereaved families.
1 John 5:14 (KJV) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Psalm 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
To visit you when you are sick: Sickness often spiritually weakens even the strongest Christian. That is why you are encouraged to reach out to your church, to call the pastor’s office, and to request prayer and a visit from your church family when you are seriously ill. Together, your pastor and church family have embraced you as one of our own, and when you are hurting, we share your pain. We are commanded to lay hands on the sick, that they might recover from their illness.
To Dedicate Newborn Babies of Christian Parents: Our children are our most precious gift from God. Your church family encourages you to give your children back to God, and commit yourself to raising your child in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”. As Christian parents, we are commanded to teach our children the ways of the Lord beginning at an early age.
James 5:14 (KJV) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: To Funeralize Deceased Members: God understands the depths of human sorrow, and has provided you with a pastor and church family to aid you in times of grief. As stated in our church Covenant, we are compelled to aid each other
Your church will arrange a special ceremony (Baby Dedication) to celebrate this occasion and to charge both mother and father with their duty as Christian parents. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. To Provide Pre-marital Counseling, and Perform the Marriage Ceremony: Marriage is ordained of God. It is the only relationship bond a man
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 15
and woman should have with each other. Your church is committed to teaching the importance of following God’s preordained plan for us “to be fruitful and multiply”. The marriage vow is a solemn vow made in the presence of God. It is a life-long commitment and must not be taken lightly. Your church is committed to providing pre-marital counseling to properly prepare all engaged couples for their duties under the marriage covenant. You should schedule these classes with your pastor at least six months prior to your wedding date.
16 - www.CMBCIndy.org
At CMBCIndy, we recognize ‘traditional’ marriage to be between one man and one woman. Our response to persons involved in homosexuality is marked by genuine compassion rooted in love and biblical truth. We hold “that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. We also opposes same sex marriage. However, we advocate for dialogue on the issue. Genesis 2:24 (KJV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
CHURCH
The Bible sets scriptural qualifications for membership in the body of Christ. There are four: 1. a regenerated heart, 2. a confession of faith, 3. the reception of baptism, and 4. leading a Christian life. Once you have experienced a regenerated heart and made a confession of your faith, both verbally and through baptism, the challenge will be to live in a manner consistent with your profession of faith. There are no part-time Chris-
SESSION
Your Responsibility to the
6
tians; an external Christian life must demonstrate the profession of an internal Christian faith. Col. 3:1-3 (KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ comes back to claim His Bride, the Church, there will
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 17
be no room for those who have failed to keep Him first in their life. Be Obedient to Your Church’s Leadership: God has placed your Pastor and others in leadership positions, that they might lead the congregation forward in His work of preaching Salvation to the lost, teaching the body of Christ, and spreading the gospel to our community and beyond. We demonstrate our trust in God’s choice of leadership through our obedience. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Tim. 5:17) Be consistent in devotions and prayer: Devotion and prayer are the basic elements of developing true communication with God. It is essential that you form these habits early in your walk with the Lord. Your church and your pastor are counting on you to pray for the success of its ministries. Without your prayers, this body of believers is weakened. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2) 18 - www.CMBCIndy.org
Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7) Be consistent in fellowship: The new Christian must understand the importance of fellowship and church involvement. The success of every ministry is directly tied to the members’ willingness to be actively involved in carrying out the vision and goals of its leadership. An isolated Christian will usually grow cold and defeat-
ed. There is a dynamic for Christian growth found in the fellowship of Christians. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24,25) Become an effective witness: The growth of the kingdom of God depends upon your participation. God’s Word is spread by His believers, one to another, by our confident testimony of His goodness and His grace. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. (1 John 4:13) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20) Learn more of God’s Word. The church is a school of sacred learning. Just as a newborn baby desires to learn how to walk, you too must learn to develop your spiritual legs. The only way to accomplish this is to study the Word of God, both privately and corporately. Studying with your church family allows you to gain inspiration from the saints around you who have been living accord-
ing to God’s teaching for a longer period of time, and understand the pitfalls you face. (Begin your dedication to studying the Word of God by reading Psalm 119) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (1 Timothy 3:16) Live by faith in facts, not feelings: Your faith is not based on the wave of emotion you felt at the time of your conversion. It is based upon the truth of the Word of God. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:” (Colossians 2) Be Faithful in Your Financial Giving: Should You Tithe? • WHO: Whoever desires to worship God. • WHAT: Giving first 10% of income to God • WHEN: Whenever you receive income. • WHERE: Where you have been fed the Word of God. • WHY: To worship God and to receive His blessings. • HOW: By faith, diligently, promptly, cheerfully.
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 19
OFFERINGS By E. L. Bynum
Lesson One Abraham The Giver (Gen. 14:1715:1) Lesson Two Tithes and Offerings in the O.T. (Lev. 27:26-34; Deut. 12:1-18; Mal. 3:7-12) Lesson Three Tithes and Offerings in the N.T. Lesson Four The True Test Of Giving (Matt. 25:14-30) Lesson Five Why Should The Christian Give? (II 20 - www.CMBCIndy.org
SESSION
Lessons on Tithes &
7
Cor. 8:1-15; 9:6-8; Phil. 4:10-20; Matt. 6:19-21)
Spending Time with God 1. In personal worship – many today do not worship God at all, not even while standing in Church mouthing the words to the songs. God is all about worship. The very essence of worship is loving on God, and if we are not loving on God, if we are not worshiping Him, then there is no further reason for you to walk through the doors of Church any longer, because it isn’t doing you any good.
Keep this in mind, the prime way we love on God is by walking in obedience to Him (I John 5:3 / II John 1:6), therefore, walking in obedience to God is worship. 2. Prayer – I don’t think I really need to elaborate on this point. Anyone who has a brain in their head knows that when we are dealing with God, prayer is always an essential matter. Prayer is mostly intercessory in nature – we are asking God for things…to heal someone, to guide us into the will of God, to help us be more like Him…etc. Then we have the other side of the prayer coin… 3. Intimate Quiet-time with God – this is very different from prayer, in that you hardly ask God for anything in this mode, instead you are simply talking with God about…anything. How your day was… that person at work that irritates you… about that passage of Scripture that just doesn’t seem to make any sense to you…about the plans you are making…about what you would like to do as far as ministering to others is concerned. This is getting down to where the rubber meets the road – where you are talking to God like He is your best friend in the world (which He should be!). You can only pray for so much, that is, you can only ask for so much, then you finally run out of things to ask for. Spending intimate quiet time with God, however, is an entirely
different matter! You can literally spend hours talking to God about things, and if you have entered into His presence in worship first, every minute you spend in His presence brings you closer and closer to being more like Him. And finally… 4. Spending time studying the Word of God…WITH God – don’t quite understand that? What I mean is that most people today just read the Bible, they don’t study it. You can only get a basic understanding of the meaning of certain passages of Scripture by just reading it, you need to do topical studies of the Word of God in order to fully grasp doctrinal statements. Failure to do this has led many thousands of people today into false doctrines and false teachings, because they are only taking what they have been taught by others as “the Gospel” rather than being Bereans and taking the time to study God’s Word for themselves. Then, what do I mean by studying the Word of God WITH God? I mean, just like when you were in school and you and your high school sweet heart got together after school to study, helping each other, sometimes even holding hands under the table while you worked. Source: https://newcovenantunderstanding.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/an-important-lesson-spending-time-with-god
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 21
NOTES:
22 - www.CMBCIndy.org
What it means to be
SAVED
A1
#CMBCIndy Youth and Young Adults pick up the mantal of leadership in our community.
Without Christ as my Savior I am a condemned sinner (John 3:18). I am utterly lost (John 3:36). As a condemned sinner I am spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). I have no hope and I am without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). But when Christ comes into my heart, He forgives my sin (Acts 10:43), He writes my name in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27), He saves my soul (Luke 19:10). Believing in Christ as my Savior, I am a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). I am a child of God (John 1:12).
For Christ to be a Savior to me I must realize that I am a lost sinner and that He came into the world to save me (Isaiah 53:6; I Timothy 1:15; Matthew 1:21). I am saved forever by repenting of my sins (Luke 13:3) and believing in Jesus as my Savior (John 3:14-16; John 5:24; acts 20:21; II Timothy 1:12). When I repent of my sins and ask Jesus to save me, I am immediately and publicly to confess Him as my Savior and Lord (Matthew 10:32, 33; Romans 10:9, 10).
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 23
questions & answers From what does Jesus save us?
Answer: From our sins. (Mark 2:111; Matthew 26:28; I John 1:7)
What is sin?
Answer: Sin is disobedience to God, or breaking of the law of God. (I John 3:4)
Who has sinned?
Answer:�All of us have sinned. We all have sinned. (Romans 3:10, 23)
What is the penalty for my sin?
Answer:�Death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23) 1. Physical Death. The soul is separated from the body. 2. Spiritual Death. The second death. The soul is separated from God forever.
How can I be saved from this death?
Answer:�I can be saved from eternal death by trusting Jesus as my Savior. I am sorry for my sin and turn from it (this is repentance) and look to Jesus to forgive me (this is saving faith). Acts 16:30, 31)
Do I work for this great salvation? Answer:�I do not work for my sal24 - www.CMBCIndy.org
CMBCIndy launched its SouledOut Service at the UFC Epicenter this past summer of 2017.
vation. It is a free gift of God. It is wholly of grace. I just receive it; I just take it. My salvation is something God gives me through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 4:2-5; Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Why should I seek to do good works?
Answer:�Because Jesus saved me and I seek to honor Him in my life. (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:26; John 15:14). If I am truly saved, I will obey my Lord. Good works are the result of my salvation, not the means by which I obtain it. Only after the tree is made good, can it bring forth good fruit. (Matthew 12:33)
What are the steps of salvation as we turn in saving faith to Jesus? Answer:�The steps of salvation are 1. Repentance: Being sorry for my sin and turning from my sin to Jesus. 2. Faith: Accepting Jesus as my Savior 3. Confession: Publicly declaring my faith in Jesus.
What it means to be
BAPTIZED
A2
#CMBC is committed to baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The “doctrines” of a church are its beliefs and teachings. The “ordinances” of a church are its observances, called “ordinances” because Christ commanded or “ordered” them. In a New Testament church there are two “ordinances.” These two ordinances are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a burial and a resurrection. We are buried with Christ in the likeness of His death and we are raised with Christ in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:2-3, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27). It shows forth three things: 1. It portrays or pictures the death, burial and resurrection
of Jesus. 2. It portrays or pictures our death to sin and our resurrection to a new life in Christ. 3. It proclaims our faith. Our faith is that if we die and are buried, we shall be raised from the dead by the power of the Lord. Baptism is the first of the two church ordinances. It is the doorway into the church. We are all baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is His church. Water baptism portrays that work of the Spirit that adds us to the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 25
questions & answers Who baptized Jesus?
Answer: John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:1)
Where was Jesus Baptized? Answer:�In the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:13) He had to have “Much Water.” (John 3:23)
Why was Jesus baptized?
Answer:�To fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)
New Members of #CMBCIndy are welcome to join any ministry of their choice after New Members class, completing their Gift Assessment and the right hand of fellowship
Does Jesus command us to be baptized?
Answer:�Yes. According to His Great Commission in Matthew 23:18-20, all are to be baptized who accept Jesus as their Savior.
In what name are we commanded to be baptized?
What is baptism?
Answer:�In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
What is the meaning of baptism?
In Acts 8:26-39, what was the first thing the eunuch wanted to do after he heard the gospel of Jesus?
Answer:�It is a burial and a resurrection. (Colossians 2:12)
Answer:�It pictures three things: (Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:27) 1. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. 2. It pictures our death to sin and our resurrection to a new life in Christ. 3. It pictures our faith that if we die and are buried we shall also be raised from the dead. 26 - www.CMBCIndy.org
Answer:�He wanted to be baptized. (Acts 8:36)
What was the one requirement he had to meet before he could be baptized? Answer:�To believe in Jesus with all his heart. (Acts 8:37)
Members of #CMBCIndy paprticipate in various forms of service to our community.
How was the eunuch baptized?
Answer:�He was lowered beneath the baptismal waters (buried with Christ) and he was raised out of the baptismal waters (resurrected with Christ). (Acts 8:38-39)
According to Acts 2:41; 10:44-48, who should be baptized?
Answer:�Those who have repented of their sins and have accepted Jesus as their Savior.
Are we lost if we are not baptized?
Answer:�The Bible says we are lost if we do not repent (Luke 13:3). The Bible says we are lost if we fail to believe on Jesus (John 3:18). Nowhere does the Bible say we are lost if we are not baptized.
Why, then, should we be baptized?
Answer:�Because of our love for the Savior. Jesus Himself set the example and Jesus Himself commanded us to be baptized. Baptism is an act of obedience on the part of one who believes in Jesus.
How is baptism rightly administered?
Answer:�The believer is immersed in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is according to the institution of Christ and the practice of the Lord’s Apostles.
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 27
What it means to take the
LORD’S SUPPER
A3
#CMBCIndy regularly observes baptism and communion services each month.
The second (and recurring) church ordinance is the Lord’s Supper. It was instituted by our Savior the night in which He was betrayed and delivered to die for our sins on the cross (Matthew 26:20-30). We are not saved by partaking of the Supper. It is a memorial of the death of Christ that we may ever remember His sacrifice for us (I Corinthians 10:16). Who may take the Lord’s Supper? Those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior and who have been 28 - www.CMBCIndy.org
baptized in obedience to His command. In the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28: 19-20, three things are very plain: first, we are to make disciples (the literal translation) of all nations; second, we are to baptize these converts in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; third, we are to teach converts to observe the things Jesus has commanded us, one of those things commanded being the observance of the Lord’s Supper. The order Jesus gave is
very plain. It is one, two, three. One, we must trust in Jesus, become a disciple of Jesus. Two, we are to be baptized, “buried with the Lord, raised with the Lord.” Three, we are to observe the things Christ has given us to keep, one of which is the Lord’s Supper.
This order of one, two, three is as much inspired as the content of the Great Commission. Before I have the privilege of taking the Lord’s Supper I must (first) be converted, I must (second) be baptized, then I am ready (third) to sit at the Lord’s table.
questions & answers Read I Corinthians 11:23 – 29 What are the two elements of the Lord’s Supper?
Answer:�Bread and “the fruit of the vine” (Matthew 26:29) the red juice of crushed grapes held in a cup.
What do these two elements symbolize? Answer:�The bread represents the body of Christ and the cup represents the blood of Christ.
Why are these two elements not the actual body and blood of Jesus? Answer:�Because when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and said these words, His body was standing before the disciples and His blood was still coursing through His veins. The bread and the cup “show forth the Lord’s death.” The very words
“in remembrance of me” suggest their symbolic nature. Jesus said He was “the door” (John 10:9, “the vine” (John 15:1), “the Good Shepherd” (I John 10:11) and we understand perfectly what He meant. We understand also the symbolic meaning of His words regarding the bread and the cup.
How often should we observe memorial of the Lord’s Supper? Answer:�Jesus left that to us. He said, “as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup…” We could observe the Lord’s Supper every day, every week, every month, every quarter.
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 29
How should we take the Lord’s Supper?
Answer:�We should take the Lord’s Supper in deepest humility and reverence. The adverb “unworthily” (notice it is an adjective) in I Corinthians 11:27-29 refers to our manner of observing the ordinance, not our own worth. Because we are sinners and the sacrifice of Christ has made atonement for our sins, we observe the Lord’s Supper in overflowing love and gratitude.
What is meant by the words in I Corinthians 11:26, “till he come”? Answer:�The words “till he come” 30 - www.CMBCIndy.org
plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus will come a second time, which is the joy and hope of all those who truly believe in Jesus (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16).
What is Transubstantiation?
Answer:�Transubstantiation is the change of one substance into another; the doctrine that, in the Eucharist, the whole substances of the bread and of the wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ, only the accidents (or properties) of bread and wine remaining. We as Baptist believe the bread and wine are only symbolic of the body of Christ Jesus.
Meet your church
STAFF
Senior Servant
Ministerial Alliance
John E. Girton, Jr. (Pastor G)
Melody Boone Joe Bunton Clematine Jones Melissa Lewis Troy W. Martin Martha Pullings Nadine Walker
Executive Board
John E. Girton, Jr. Julius Adeniyi Linda Adeniyi Vanessa Bush Robert Jackson E. Shane Lee David Smith Jerry Williams
Board of Deacons
Executive Administrator
Sherry Jackson Administrative Staff
Lindia Williams Tonya Wright Leroy Bates
Julius Adeniyi Nicholas Bunton Leroy McCombs David Smith Jerry Williams Advisory Board
Harriet Vaughn Board of Trustees
Julius Adeniyi
A4
Linda Adeniyi Natalie Bunton Vanessa Bush Betty Carpenter Teresa Chestnut Johnny Crowell ”Tre” George France (Chair) Devon Girton Jacqueline Harris Robert Jackson E. Shane Lee William Penner John Posey Edward Rogers Tyler Rogers Art Smith, Sr. David Smith Marsha Webster Darrell Wells Jerry Williams
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 31
NOTES:
Equipping Believers • Mobilizing the Church • Worshipping Christ - 33
We are overjoyed that God has led you to join the historic Christ Missionary Baptist Church family. Your spiritual walk at #CMBC will be a journey from a salvation experience to an intimate relationship with God to a unique ministry to the world, through spirit-filled teaching, prayer, praise, worship, and fellowship. We are excited about what God is doing in your life. The mission of the New Member’s Ministry is to equip every individual led to join the body of believers with the tools for successful navigation within Christ Missionary Baptist Church as well as within the global church. Over the next eight weeks, this new member’s orientation will provide an understanding of Church Doctrine, Foundational Christian Principles and finally a spiritual gifts assessment. It will empower every individual to become an active, fully functional member within the body of the church and the body of Christ. Whether you have come by Christian experience or if you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior for the first time, we pray that this is a memorable milestone and the beginning of a new chapter in your life. We genuinely welcome you and look forward to getting to know you better. This orientation is designed to better acquaint you with the ministry of #CMBC, our church community and our church leaders. This handbook contains a wealth of information about our church and its functions. Once again we are grateful that you joined our spiritual family.