Congratulations on Your Salvation!
Putting your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior is the most important thing you can do in your life. Praise the Lord! You're a Child of God, now!
But, you're probably asking yourself "What next?" When you get saved, the Bible says that you've been Born Again. The day you came into this world, you had a physical birth. And that moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, you had a spiritual birth. You are a brand new Christian, a newborn baby in Christ.
What comes next is growth - spiritual growth as a Child of God. Here are three things that will help you tremendously as a new Christian:
But, you're probably asking yourself "What next?" When you get saved, the Bible says that you've been Born Again. The day you came into this world, you had a physical birth. And that moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, you had a spiritual birth. You are a brand new Christian, a newborn baby in Christ.
What comes next is growth - spiritual growth as a Child of God. Here are three things that will help you tremendously as a new Christian:
Find a Good Church
Not all churches are the same, and not all churches are good.
In the first century, after Jesus had ascended up into Heaven, the apostles started several brand new churches in different cities across the world. At that time, every church was a good church.
But very quickly, false teachers began to creep into these churches and began to teach false doctrine (bad beliefs). In fact, much of the New Testament consists of letters written by the apostles to correct these false teachings & beliefs that had crept into the churches they had started.
In Acts 20:29-30, Paul said "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
When you get to Revelation, chapters 2 & 3, Jesus Christ addresses seven different churches. There were a couple of churches that Jesus warned about the bad doctrine that had come into the church.
In the first century, every church was a good church. Today, very few churches would be considered a good, solid church. A good church has the right gospel (plan of salvation: by faith, not by works), the right Bible, the right doctrine (teachings; beliefs), and the right mission (spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, baptizing those that put their faith in Christ, and teaching them all things that Christ has commanded us).
If you're located in/near the Quad Cities Area, that is Northside Baptist Church, and we'd like to encourage you to come and join us as we Grow Together in Christ.
If you are not located in/near the Quad Cities, call our church and we'll help you find a good church. Our number is: (563) 386-1656.
In the first century, after Jesus had ascended up into Heaven, the apostles started several brand new churches in different cities across the world. At that time, every church was a good church.
But very quickly, false teachers began to creep into these churches and began to teach false doctrine (bad beliefs). In fact, much of the New Testament consists of letters written by the apostles to correct these false teachings & beliefs that had crept into the churches they had started.
In Acts 20:29-30, Paul said "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
When you get to Revelation, chapters 2 & 3, Jesus Christ addresses seven different churches. There were a couple of churches that Jesus warned about the bad doctrine that had come into the church.
In the first century, every church was a good church. Today, very few churches would be considered a good, solid church. A good church has the right gospel (plan of salvation: by faith, not by works), the right Bible, the right doctrine (teachings; beliefs), and the right mission (spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, baptizing those that put their faith in Christ, and teaching them all things that Christ has commanded us).
If you're located in/near the Quad Cities Area, that is Northside Baptist Church, and we'd like to encourage you to come and join us as we Grow Together in Christ.
If you are not located in/near the Quad Cities, call our church and we'll help you find a good church. Our number is: (563) 386-1656.
Consider Baptism
Now that you're saved, you're probably wondering "What now?" One of the first steps we ought to take as a new Christian is that of baptism.
Matthew 28:19 says "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Baptism does not play a part in salvation, but it is something we ought to do soon after salvation.
Baptism is like a wedding ring. If a married man takes off his wedding ring, is he still married? Of course! The wedding ring doesn't make him married, and baptism doesn't make a person saved. Then what is the purpose of the wedding ring? It identifies a man or woman as married. And baptism has the same purpose. When a person chooses to be baptized after salvation, they are saying: "I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. I belong to Him."
Baptism is also symbolic. That is why we practice baptism by immersion (that's what baptism means, by the way). It's symbolic of Christ's death, burial & resurrection.
So, let me encourage you: take your first step as a believer by following the Lord in baptism. Talk to your pastor and schedule a time to obey the Lord in Believer's Baptism.
Matthew 28:19 says "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Baptism does not play a part in salvation, but it is something we ought to do soon after salvation.
Baptism is like a wedding ring. If a married man takes off his wedding ring, is he still married? Of course! The wedding ring doesn't make him married, and baptism doesn't make a person saved. Then what is the purpose of the wedding ring? It identifies a man or woman as married. And baptism has the same purpose. When a person chooses to be baptized after salvation, they are saying: "I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. I belong to Him."
Baptism is also symbolic. That is why we practice baptism by immersion (that's what baptism means, by the way). It's symbolic of Christ's death, burial & resurrection.
So, let me encourage you: take your first step as a believer by following the Lord in baptism. Talk to your pastor and schedule a time to obey the Lord in Believer's Baptism.
Get a Good Bible
Just like churches, not all Bibles are the same, and not all are good translations of the Word of God. In fact, many different translations (or versions) are missing words and entire verses.
So, which Bible should you use?
We recommend the King James Bible. There are many different reasons why we recommend the KJB, but one of the most important reasons is this: We believe that God has preserved His Word for us, like He promised in Scripture.
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
We believe that He has preserved His Word, just as He promised, and that He has preserved It for English-speaking people in the King James Bible.
So, get a good Bible. But a good Bible will do you no good unless you pick It up and read It. So read It every day, and apply It to your life.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
So, which Bible should you use?
We recommend the King James Bible. There are many different reasons why we recommend the KJB, but one of the most important reasons is this: We believe that God has preserved His Word for us, like He promised in Scripture.
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
We believe that He has preserved His Word, just as He promised, and that He has preserved It for English-speaking people in the King James Bible.
So, get a good Bible. But a good Bible will do you no good unless you pick It up and read It. So read It every day, and apply It to your life.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.