New Believers – What’s Next? | Scriptural Seeds Ministries

New Believers
Your decision to follow Jesus Christ means that God has forgiven you of your sins and that you will spend eternity in heaven with Him. You have made the best and most important decision of your life.

Now That You’re a Christian…
As a new believer in Christ, it’s essential to lay a solid foundation for your faith so that you can walk with God in the years ahead. This foundation begins with reading your Bible, praying, attending church, and sharing your faith.

Read the Bible
The Bible is often described as the “user’s manual of life” that we have all been searching for. Everything you need to know about God and living a life that pleases Him is found within its pages.

Take some time each day to read and study the Bible. You may be surprised at how just 15 minutes a day in God’s Word can transform your life.

Pray
The idea of talking to God may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Prayer is a wonderful experience when we approach it in the way God instructs. The Bible encourages us to pray at all times, in any posture, and for any reason. Set aside time each day to exalt God, present your requests to Him, and confess your sins during your prayer time. He is always listening.

Go to Church
Fellowship with other believers at a local church is one of the essential building blocks of spiritual growth. The church, representing the entire body of Christians, thrives by keeping its members spiritually active and nourished.

Get Baptized
Baptism is a vital aspect of the conversion and salvation process. Everyone who repents of their sins and accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior should be baptized. Our Savior, who was sinless, was baptized to set an example for us and taught His disciples about the significance of baptism. Baptism, performed by immersion, carries profound meaning:

– It represents our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as our Lord and Master.

– It symbolizes a new, converted life as we emerge from the waters.

– It reflects our trust in Jesus Christ to resurrect us from death when He returns.

– It signifies our identity as children of God and is often followed by the laying on of hands, representing the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The result of baptism is the opportunity for a changed life, guided spiritually by the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit, leading you into the Kingdom of God!

Share Your Faith
Sharing your faith is a command from Jesus and a significant blessing of the Christian life. Leading someone to Jesus Christ is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.

An Important First Step in Walking with the Lord
Now that you have decided to follow Christ and live a life pleasing to Him, you may wonder, “What do I do next? Where do I go from here? What path will lead to spiritual growth?”
Joining a local church is a crucial step. The church, as established by Christ, provides biblically sound instruction, a space for genuine worship, opportunities to use your God-given gifts, and accountability to spiritual leadership.

However, the church is not just for the benefit of its members; its ultimate goal is to bring glory to Jesus Christ. When the church functions as intended, it serves as a powerful witness of His love and provision to the world.

Your Place in the Church
The first-century church was known for “turning the world upside-down” with the message of Jesus. It was a community of devoted fellowship and valuable instruction, serving as our model today. God desires His church, referred to in Scripture as “the body of Christ,” to shine brightly in these increasingly dark times. Any Christian wishing to please God and make a positive impact must engage with a local church.

Christ designed the church to provide immense blessings and opportunities. Involvement in a local church is essential for your spiritual growth, and it’s a lifelong commitment. God has placed spiritually gifted individuals in the church to guide and encourage you in living a holy life. No Christian can thrive in isolation; we need the Church, and the Church needs you! Each of us possesses unique gifts and abilities that can bless others.

The Bible instructs us to:
“…consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Christians need to gather for corporate worship. The benefits of expressing gratitude and praise with fellow believers, publicly reading and studying the Scriptures, and praying together are invaluable. This is one of the ways God calls us to worship Him in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
The church provides an ideal outlet for serving Christ. God has endowed you with unique spiritual gifts and talents that benefit the entire body of Christ. Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit manifests God’s power through us to aid the entire church (1 Corinthians 12:7). No one is “left out.” If you are not regularly attending church, you may be missing the opportunity to use what God has given you.

Following Christ’s example, early believers shared food, clothing, and shelter with one another. The Bible challenges us: if we see a fellow Christian in need and merely wish them well without providing help, what have we truly accomplished? (James 2:16). The body of Christ must look out for its own. One way we do this is through giving. By tithes and offerings, we invest in the Kingdom of God. Since God owns everything (Job 41:11b; Haggai 2:8), He does not need our money. We give as a reminder that all we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. Giving is an act of worship that reflects our love for God and others, allowing the church to minister both spiritually and practically.

Characteristics of a Healthy Church
The church is more than an organization; it is an organism that thrives when its members are spiritually active and well-fed. The Bible provides insight into the characteristics of a healthy, vibrant church, and you can assess its vitality by comparing it with the early church (Acts 2:42, 44-47).
A healthy church gathers regularly, prioritizes Bible study, and nurtures caring individuals who genuinely care about each member’s well-being and spiritual growth. It acknowledges the power of corporate prayer and worship and expresses Christ’s love in meaningful ways. Its members are eager to minister to others and share God’s good news.

In any biblically sound, God-centered church, the following beliefs should be evident:

– The Bible is regarded as the inspired and infallible authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) and is taught regularly in an understandable manner, helping you apply its teachings to your life.

– God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 14:26, Matthew 28:18, 19).

– Salvation is a free gift from God to all who repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is the only way to enter into a relationship with God (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9). People should be regularly encouraged and invited to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.
A healthy church also experiences growth, but this growth should not be viewed as the sole proof of God’s blessing. The early disciples exhibited “gladness and a singleness of heart” in their communities. Your church home should be a place you look forward to attending, not only on Sundays but throughout the week.

If you feel uncomfortable in a church, it may be a sign from the Holy Spirit that something is amiss. The Bible warns of false teachers, and by deepening your understanding of Scripture and through prayer, you will better discern truth from error. Avoid any group that deviates from biblical teachings. Many false teachers present partial truths, which can be described as the “skin of the truth stuffed with a lie.”
Most cults can be identified by their refusal to:

– Adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible, often adding their “special revelations.”

– Accept that our relationship with Jesus Christ is provided by God through grace and received through faith alone, instead promoting salvation through works.

– Acknowledge Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God and afford Him the full recognition He deserves.
Commonly known cults include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, and Scientologists.

Finding Your Place
It has been rightly said, “The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” Regular fellowship and participation in the church are essential for every disciple. As you engage with your church community, you will be in a position to share with others what God has given you.

The right church for you will be a place where you can grow in your love for the Lord and serve Him by contributing to the life of the church. Remember, we are all sinners striving to follow God’s teachings. Trust in Him to guide your path.

Billy Graham offered this advice: “First, I would select a church that preaches the Gospel faithfully. However, it is not enough to be sound theologically; I would choose a church that endeavors to practice what it preaches, translating its beliefs into everyday life.”

Remember, the model for a God-honoring church is found in Scripture. Study God’s design and pray for guidance to the place He has prepared for you.

Please email us or contact us to let us know about your decision to follow Christ. We would love to pray with you and for you.

Pastor Rob Lavallee
rob@scripturalseeds.org
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
http://www.scripturalseeds.org

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