Salvation
Many people consider themselves moral, charitable, and generally “good” and today’s modern culture tells them that living a good, moral life is good enough. However, the Bible is clear that human effort alone will never be sufficient to obtain salvation. Nicodemus was a deeply religious man and spiritual leader who faithfully attended church, prayed, memorized scriptures, tithed, fasted, and believed that God had sent Jesus. Yet, Jesus told him: “You must be born again!” (John 3:1-21). Every person is invited to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God desires that all people would come a saving knowledge of Him (1Tim 2:4-5, John 3:17, Rom 5:18); however, only those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. In John 14:6 Jesus declares “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father but through me.”
The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is good news to all men because it is the fundamental doctrine of the only means of man’s Salvation. His death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice and atonement for our sins and His resurrection on the third day secures our inheritance of eternal life. The only way to receive this gift of eternal life is to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior is by confessing our sins, acknowledging our individual need for salvation, and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9). The evidence of having received Christ is a change in our thinking and behavior, in other words, our fruit (Matthew 7:16).
Water baptism is the first step of obedience and symbolizes our association with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is also a public confession of our new faith and identity in Jesus. Jesus Christ was baptized as a model for all believers.
Matthew 3:13-17
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth begins with admitting the need for a Savior because every person is born with a sinful nature and cannot produce righteousness on their own (Romans 3:23). After accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become justified and purified by God’s Grace (Rom 8:30, Titus 2:11-14).
The process of sanctification in every area of our lives requires time and growth. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the testimony of those redeemed by Him, and revelation of Scriptural truth, a person can begin to grow and enjoy every provision afforded by Christ’s atonement and love for mankind. It is essential that a new believer reads and studies the Bible, pray, share their faith with others, and fellowship regularly with other believers to cultivate his/her spirit and grow.
If you have not made a personal decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your life, please consider making this prayer your own:
Jesus Christ, I open the door of my heart and ask you to come in as my personal Savior and Lord. I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation and by faith, ask you to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and write my name in the Book of Life. I ask that you make my spirit alive and help me grow as I surrender my will to your control. I thank you for your love and grace and for adopting me into your family. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to obey. In your name I pray, amen.
If you have not made a personal decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your life, please consider making this prayer your own:
Jesus Christ, I open the door of my heart and ask you to come in as my personal Savior and Lord. I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation and by faith, ask you to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and write my name in the Book of Life. I ask that you make my spirit alive and help me grow as I surrender my will to your control. I thank you for your love and grace and for adopting me into your family. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to obey. In your name I pray, amen.