My Journey to Life - Daily Study Guide

Q11. Can one just be baptized into Jesus and not join a church?

Picture: Q11. Can one just be baptized into Jesus and not join a church? JTLD 229.1

Baptism is a sign both of a person’s regeneration or new birth and of their entry into Christ’s spiritual kingdom. Since it unites the new believers to Christ, it also functions as the door to the church, which is the body of Christ. Through baptism the Lord adds new disciples to the body of believers, the church. Thus, they are members of God’s family, not left adrift as unattended spiritual orphans. JTLD 229.2

The church body is organized for service. Becoming a member of the body commits Christians to the missionary task of the church—carrying the gospel to all the world. Membership in that body involves “forbearing one another in love,” being “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2, 3). JTLD 229.3

• Bible Discovery: Matthew 28:19, 20; John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:41, 47; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 12:13
• Further Reading: Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 45.3