- Share
your decision with someone. If you go to a local church, talk to your pastor about your decision.
- Get involved in a
local church that teaches from the Holy Bible as it's role guide for thought and conduct. Hebrews 10:25 challenges us
to be apart of a group of believers by stating "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit or doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day
approaching." (NIV)
- Follow Christ’s
example through baptism as a public profession of your faith. Baptism is a representation identifying with
Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-10). As Christ died, was buried, and then rose again; the believer is symbolically buried in water and raised again. This is an outward
sign to the world that you belong to Jesus and have committed to follow His teaching and example. Acts 2:38 states "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
- Grow in your
relationship with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,
the old has gone, the new has come!" (NIV) 1 Peter 2:2 states "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (NIV)
- When you become a Christian, you are now a child of God and
begin your journey as a new creation. Spiritually you are an infant, and just as an infant must eat, you too must eat spiritually. This is how you will grow in your faith. A
Christian grows by praying, reading the Bible (if you need one, please let us know), worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers, telling others about Jesus, and in many other
ways. It is very important to get involved in church by joining a youth group, a college and career class, a Sunday School class, a Discipleship training class, whatever the church has to offer
you because the journey as a Christian is not an easy journey. God promises not to leave you but it is also good to have the support and encouragement of others.
- Scripture states in John 16:7-11 "But I tell you the truth: It
is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guiltin regard to
sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to
judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." When one accepts Jesus as their Savior, God provides the Holy Spirit to live with the believer and to give guidance in
spiritual knowledge and decisions. The Holy Spirit will continue to convict and teach which transforms us more into the image of Christ. John 14:15-18 confirms this further by stating "If
you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it
neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
- Part of growing includes being transformed more into the image
of Christ. This transformation is seen in your attitude, actions, words, and thoughts. All that we do should represent Christ to those around us. Romans 12:1-2 states "Therefore, I
urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (NIV) Galatians 5:22-23 states "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." These are ways that we are called to represent Christ.
- Everyone's spiritual transformation will be different but there
is a common denominator amongst all Christians. This denominator is love. Matthew 22:36-39 states "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.'"
* NIV = New International Version