What Does Membership Look Like at Harvest?
Membership in the Early Church (Book of Acts)
The New Testament doesn’t describe “membership” in the modern sense (like filling out a card or being on a roll), but the Book of Acts shows us clear patterns of what belonging to the early church looked like.
1. Membership Began with Faith and Baptism
In Acts 2, those who accepted the message were baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41). Belonging started with repentance, faith in Jesus, and baptism—publicly identifying with Christ and His
people.
2. Membership Meant Being Counted Among the Believers
Acts 2:47 says, 'the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.' There was a recognized community where people knew who belonged.
3. Membership Was Devotion to the Community
Acts 2:42–47 shows members devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, and generosity. It was a shared life of faith and worship.
4. Membership Included Spiritual Accountability
Acts 5 shows Ananias and Sapphira being held accountable. Acts 6 shows organization to meet needs.
Membership meant responsibility as well as privilege.
5. Membership Was Mission-Oriented
Acts shows the church spreading the gospel (Acts 8:4; Acts 13:1–3). Being part of the church meant joining its mission to make disciples.
"Membership" at a Glance
In Acts, “membership” meant:
1. Believing in Jesus and being baptized.
2. Being recognized as part of the community. (attend Sunday worship regularly)
3. Devoting yourself to teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
4. Sharing responsibility and accountability. (serve on a team)
5. Joining in the mission of making disciples. (join a LifeGroup or a Small Discipleship Group)
It wasn’t about a form or a roster—it was about a shared identity in Christ and a shared commitment to His people. That is what we hope to create here at Harvest.