The Procedure For Membership At GFC

We are delighted that you might consider becoming a member of Grace Fellowship Church. In an elder-led church, it is the responsibility of the Session (presently our Executive Leadership Team) to examine and receive new members. At GFC, all who are interested in membership are asked to enroll in a Membership Class with Pastor John Davis to learn about Grace Fellowship Church and the privileges and responsibilities of membership in our congregation. You are also asked to read and affirm the Constitution and by-laws of GFC, which are available here. These classes are held throughout the year in the church office and include four hours of instruction.

Adult Baptism / Membership

Our membership application is available here.

We welcome into our fellowship all who, upon coming to faith in Christ, have been baptized or are willing to be baptized and, through the following declarations and promises, enter into a solemn covenant with God and His Church:

  1. Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and its doctrine of salvation to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
  2. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
  3. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
  4. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?
  5. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
  6. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace? We also welcome into our fellowship those believers who are in good and regular standing in any evangelical church and who come to us by a letter of dismissal.

We hope that you will receive baptism and join the Grace Fellowship Church family of members. Call us at (718) 472-9674 if you have any questions or comments regarding baptism or membership.


Infant Baptism / Child Dedication

Our infant baptism / child dedication application is available here.

We recognize that both infant baptism and child dedication are valid expressions of the faith of Christian parents and will assist parents in either way.

Infant Baptism

We administer baptism to the children of believing and baptized parents (one or both) who believe that the Bible requires them as a matter of obedience to baptize their children. They must be able to explain their belief so that the baptizing of their children is not simply a cultural practice nor does in anyway bring salvation to their child. Those who bring their children for baptism solemnly vow before Christ and His church to teach their children to love God and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. They also promise to help their children to understand that it is their duty and privilege to trust Christ personally as their Lord and Savior, to confess Him before others, and to live as vital members of His church. Parents will publicly affirm the following declarations:

  1. Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and renewing power of the Holy Spirit?
  2. Do you claim God’s covenant promise in (his) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for (his) salvation, as you do your own?
  3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him), and that you will teach (him) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring (him) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Child Dedication

Our child dedication brochure is available here.

We offer a Child Dedication service for the children of believing and baptized parents (one or both) who believe that baptism is a voluntary act on the part of one who has professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Those who bring their children for dedication solemnly vow before Christ and His church to teach their children to love God and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, They also promise to help their children to understand that it is their duty and privilege to trust Christ personally as their Lord and Savior, to confess Him before others, to be baptized as a matter of obedience, and to live as vital members of His church. Parents will publicly affirm the following declarations:

  1. Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and renewing power of the Holy Spirit?
  2. Do you claim God’s covenant promise in (his) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for (his) salvation, as you do your own?
  3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him), and that you will teach (him) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring (him) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Call us at (718) 472-9674 if you have any questions or comments regarding baptism or membership.