Following Jesus
What’s Next?
You’ve decided you want to follow Jesus Christ. Congratulations – you’ve made the most important choice of your life. If you’re wondering what’s next on your journey, we can help!
If you have decided to follow Jesus, let us know!
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Our Sin
We’re all born with a sinful nature. Because of our sin, it’s impossible for us to have a relationship with God without forgiveness.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23 NLT)
God’s Gift
We can’t earn God’s forgiveness – it can only be given.
Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice so we could be forgiven.
But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
(Romans 5:8 NLT)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23 NLT)
Our Response
All each of us needs to do is choose to accept this free gift from God by committing our life and heart to Jesus.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NLT)
A Symbol of Your Faith
Baptism shows others you’ve been made new. It represents your old life, characterized by sin apart from Jesus, being washed clean because of your faith in Jesus.
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. (Romans 6:4 NLT)
Celebrate Your Faith
Once you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, baptism is one of the most meaningful next steps you can take. Baptism is a public celebration of your decision to follow Jesus. Even if you were baptized as an infant, being baptized again is an important step – because this time it’s your choice.
What do followers of Jesus Christ believe?
We believe the Bible is the truth, and that Jesus has invited, called and empowered each of us with a mission to reach the world with His love.
God the Father
There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. (Isaiah 44:6 NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 NLT)
The Son
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of God the Father on high acting as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace.
For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. (Colossians 2:9 NLT)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, sent to live within, guide, teach and empower the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:12 NLT)