Are you looking for a church home, and would like to join the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship?  We would be delighted to have you, and are excited that you considering making our church your spiritual home!  But first, there are some questions that we musk ask before we are able to grant membership to seeking individuals.

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What requirements are necessary in order for a person to become a member of the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship?

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       Membership in our church is open to anyone who has made a profession of faith In Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and has been scripturally Baptized by immersion.  We would also like to ask that you check out our "Statement of Faith" (or "Articles of Faith") - which you can find by clicking on the link at the top of this page.  These are the "core beliefs" of the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship - and anyone wishing to become a member of our church should take a moment to familiarize themselves with what we believe as a church; and where we stand on the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

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​I am saved and have been scripturally Baptized.  How can I become a member of the church?

 

       If you are Saved and have already been scripturally Baptized by immersion, you may join our church by a Statement of your Faith and Baptism.  This can be done at the time you request to join the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship (in person), or you may do so by sending us an e-mail or letter.  Please include your "testimony" in your request.  This is the story of how you got saved (and the events behind or surrounding it), and where you were Baptized.  Please note, that you do not need to know the exact date that you got saved, or the place where it occurred (if you can't remember) - but please include as many details about your experience as possible, or that you wish to share with us.  (This helps us get to know you better!)

 

       You may also join our church by transferring your membership from another Bible believing church.  This is done simply by requesting a letter from your previous church stating that you would like to transfer your membership to the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship.

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Does it matter if the church I was Saved or Baptized in (or was previously a member of) is a different denomination than the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship?

 

       The Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship is an independent, Bible believing, Evangelical, Baptist church.  Keeping that in mind, we are a completely independent body of believers, and are not associated with any type of church conference or association  (i.e. the General Association of Regular Baptist churches (GARB), the Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church Conference, Synod of the Lutheran Church, Church of Christ Convention, the Assemblies of God, etc.) that dictate what our "Statement of Faith" is, what can (or cannot) be preached from the pulpit, or who can (or cannot) become members of our church.  So in answer to the question, no, it does not.

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       As long as a prospective member can show evidence of a true salvation experience, and has been scripturally Baptized by immersion as an outward profession of their faith to others, they are more than welcome to join the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship - regardless of whatever name was on the door of their previous church, or denominational label the church held.

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​What if I am a Christian, but have never been Baptized?  Am I able to join the church?

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       If you have recently been saved, but have not yet had the opportunity to get Baptized, the next step of your journey in the Christian life is to follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism.  Only after being scripturally Baptized can you become a member of the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship. 

 

       Before you can can do that, however, you first need to understand what the Bible teaches about Baptism - what it is, and why it is important.

 

       Baptism is an ordinance of the church where a Born Again believer publicly acknowledges their faith in Jesus Christ to others through immersion.  When the body is immersed under water, it is a picture of the death and burial of Jesus Christ; and by coming back up out of the water, it is a picture of His resurrection from the dead.  Baptism is also a picture of the "change" that takes place in a believer's heart and life after getting saved.  By being immersed under water, the believer is making a public statement that their "old, sinful, flesh" (or the sinful way they used to live their life) is now to be regarded as "dead" - and by coming back up from under the water, it is a testimony that the believer intends to live a "new life" that is dedicated to Jesus Christ.  Believer's Baptism is an important Biblical doctrine because it teaches Christian believers not to be ashamed of their new found faith in Jesus Christ.

 

       The second thing that you need to understand - is that Baptism it is NOT a necessary component of salvation.  Baptism is a "work" that YOU (as a believer) do - not something that the LORD does for you.  Even an unbeliever can get baptized - but that doesn't save their soul.  Neither does the lack of being Baptized condemn a person - for if it did, the thief on the cross could not have been saved (he never came down off of his cross to get Baptized); but the Lord Jesus, on the other hand, said to him, "Today you shall be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

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       Now that you know what "Believer's (or scriptural) Baptism" is, the next step for you to do (after being saved) is to get Baptized.  When a person decides to get Baptized through the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship, they become members of our church automatically.  Baptismal services are typically held at our church, and usually take place after one of our Sunday worship services (the Baptismal ceremony will be recorded and shared with our online community).  If, however, you are outside of the Bath, NY area; and you are unable to attend church with us (physically) - but perhaps you got saved through our on-line ministry, and would now like to follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism and become a member of our church - please contact us to make other arrangements for how we may be able to conduct your Baptismal service.

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​What if I was once Baptized as a baby, and then accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior as I grew older?  Does the fact that I was already baptized meet the requirements for church membership?

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       No, not based upon your "baptism" as an infant, unfortunately.  As we stated above, "Baptism" is a public expression of your testimony that you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (for this reason, Baptism is often referred to as "Believer's Baptism").  True believer's Baptism is something that cannot be done as a Baby.  The word translated as "Baptize" in the Bible is a transliteration of the Greek word "βαπτίζω" (baptizó), which means, "to submerge under water" - where as the word "ῥαντίζω" (rhantizó) is the Greek word that means "to sprinkle".  The religious ceremony by which an infant or young child is "sanctified" by "sprinkling water on their head" (known as "Infant Baptism", "Pedobaptism", or "Christening") is not the same ordinance of Baptism that is taught by the Bible - nor are there any instances of anyone being Baptized as an infant in the Holy Scriptures.

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       Any believer wishing to join our church must demonstrate evidence of having been "scripturally Baptized" after their salvation experience - before we are able to grant to them church membership.  If you were "baptized" as a baby (or young child), and have placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior since that time, the next step for you to do in your Christian life is to get Scripturally Baptized.

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What if I made a profession of faith, was Scripturally Baptized afterward, but got "saved" after I was Baptized?  Do I need to get Baptized again before I am able to join the church?

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       Sometimes a person will make a "false profession of faith" - and then get Baptized after making that profession. 

A "false profession" is where someone "professes" faith in Jesus Christ; asking Him to "save them" from their sins - but that salvation experience never really took place.  This is a relatively common occurrence, and typically occurs when a person either does not truly understand the nature of salvation (for instance, in the case of a young child who is under the Age of Accountability), or when a person has not completely repented of (or is unwilling to repent of) all their sin when they ask the Lord Jesus Christ to "save" them (this is often described as "having the knowledge in their head - but not in their heart").

 

       Often, when a person makes a false profession of faith, they will then afterward submit themselves for Believer's Baptism  - however the problem is that they were never truly saved to begin with (it's kind of like "putting the cart before the horse").

 

       The ordinance of Baptism is only intended to be performed after a person has (truly) repented of their sin, and has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Once that has happened, the next step for them to do is to follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism - even if it is for the second time (or third, or however many times the case may be).

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​Is it necessary for me to agree with the "Statement of Faith" of the church in order for me to become a member?

 

       The Word of God tells us in the book of Mark that "If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark 3:25);  And again, in the book of Amos, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3).

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       Being in agreement, one with another, is a vital and integral part of ANY organization (whether it be a church, business, government assembly - or even in a family).  It is when there are divisions among believers, differing views on areas of doctrine, or unrest between one another - that strife, confusion, and conflict make their way into the church family.   It is these such differences that can cause churches to "split", members to leave, and church doors to close.   This is why we ask any person interested in becoming a member of our church to please review our Statement of Faith before making their decision to join our church family. 

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       That being said, we're not going to give you any kind of "test"; nor ask any kind of "affirmation" that you agree with our Statement of Faith - before you can become a member of our church.  (We'll let your conscience be your guide on that one!) 

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Can a person still become a member of the church if they are not a Christian?

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       Unfortunately, we are unable to grant church membership to someone who is not a Christian.  However, choosing on whether to decide to become a Christian (or not) is a FAR more important decision to make, rather than choosing to become a member of our church.  Becoming the member of a church does not "save" a person.  Salvation is only accomplished through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross (see our "statement of Faith").

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