Posted on 08/09/2017 4:01:32 PM PDT by ealgeone
Question: "I am a new Christian. What is the next step?"
Answer: Congratulations! If you are a new believer, you have just experienced the beginning of your new, eternal life (John 3:16; 10:10). Your sins have been forgiven and you have been given a fresh start (Romans 4:7). You have now been given inexpressible, glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8-9).
In addition to the wonderful blessings of knowing Christ, you are probably thinking, “Now what? What is the next step?” The Bible offers some important principles for those who have begun a relationship with God.
First, as a new Christian, begin reading the Bible. There are many translations and numerous places to start. While there is no perfect translation, we recommend you choose a Bible that is easy for you to understand and is faithful to the original text of the Bible. To sample some of today’s popular translations, you can go to websites such as BibleGateway.com or YouVersion.com. We recommend that you begin your reading with the Gospel of John or one of the other Gospels to read for yourself what Jesus taught and did during His time on earth. Other articles on GotQuestions.org will help you answer the practical questions you have about God and spiritual issues. The Bible teaches, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Second, as a new Christian, begin praying. Prayer is simply talking with God. Many believe prayer must include a formal set of words that can only take place during a church service. However, the Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are instructed to praise God day and night. If we desire to know God more deeply, we must communicate with Him regularly.
Throughout each day, you can give thanks to God, ask Him to answer your daily needs, and pray on behalf of others. It’s also important to pray together with others who follow Christ, encouraging each other, praising God, and seeking answers to everyone’s requests. For ideas on how to pray, you can begin with the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
Third, as a new Christian, be baptized. Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-22), and He calls His followers to also be baptized. Baptism was practiced by the very first followers of Jesus in Acts 2:41.
Usually, the leaders of a local church perform baptism. A local church pastor or church leader should be glad to speak with you about baptism if you express your interest.
Fourth, as a new Christian, build friendships with others Christians. The Christian life is designed to be enjoyed with others. Jesus invested much of His ministry with 12 disciples as His closest friends. He likewise calls us to live in community with one another. The New Testament has over 50 “one another” verses that refer to loving one another, serving one another, encouraging one another, and praying for one another. Each of these commands requires relationships with other Christians.
Fellowship with other believers is one of the purposes of a local church. If there’s a Bible-teaching church in your area, it’s a great place to get involved. If you live in a community without a church, you will need to pray for God to open opportunities for you to meet other Christians in your area.
Fifth, as a new Christian, help others. As you begin your new life as a Christian, you will find a new love inside you giving you a desire to help others. The Holy Spirit will lead you in ways to help. You might serve the poor in your community, assist a neighbor with yard work, or visit a sick friend in the hospital. The Spirit will clearly call you to show God’s love (1 John 3:17-18).
Sixth, as a new Christian, tell someone about your faith. Becoming a Christian is not a secret; it’s a celebration! Tell all who will listen about Christ’s work in your life. In some cases, other people will come to faith in Jesus through the example you share. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His disciples to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Today, Christians are still called to share the hope within us with others (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Finally, these are simply helpful tips on how to grow in your new faith; they are not a list of requirements to become a Christian or to stay a Christian. You have been saved by grace through faith, apart from any works of your own (Ephesians 2:8-9). God started the work in you, and He promises to finish it (Philippians 1:6). God bless you as you continue to mature in your faith!
We won't remind the world of one of your more, shall we say, interesting posts. But then again....it may be deleted by now as many of your posts have been.
Yep, he was right out there on Twitter giving the pagans what-for on day one.
1. Make sure you are a new Christian. You begin the process of becoming a Christian when you acknowledge your complete depravity and hopelessness without Christ. If you believe you are, in any way even slight, that you deserve or merit Salvation, you are not there. If you even believe that you can attain right standing before God by repeating a prayer that someone gave you, you are not ready.
BEING a Christian is a life-long process.
When reading the Bible be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive, and become more than a history lesson or a list of rules. You can follow the examples of countless Biblical heros and copy their good behaviors as much as possible.
“Go on FreeRepublic and obsessively attack Catholics. “ And Mormons. And Methodists.
When do we show him the secret handshake?
Im glad you left all that bitterness behind.
>>When I was Saved in ‘92, I became very judgmental of non-believers. It took me awhile to get over how special I thought I was.
That sounds like my experiences around ex-smokers, ex-drinkers, ex-meat eaters, etc...
...or Apple product users
Youtube has all of Chuck Missler’s book-by-book Bible studies.
Pick one and see how much there is to learn.
He also has a study called “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” which can be found on-line.
If you want to listen in your car, purchase the studies at khouse.org.
Yes of course, but if you have been truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you have been given a new heart and should desire to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. You should be grieved over your sin.
Great article!
I would include “discipleship,” learning about the Christian faith from a more mature believer:
http://www.discipleshipdefined.com/frequently-asked-questions
I venture if the internet were around back in Paul's day he would have used it.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/paul/timeline.cfm
According to this timeline, most of the first ten years after his conversion did not include evangelistic activity recorded in Scripture. Maybe he spent time with the Lord.
Ask Him, not us. There’s no one on this earth who can give you the perfect advice that He can.
The text of Acts 9:19-20 indicates he immediately began to proclaim Jesus in the synogogues.
He goes to Arabia for three years returning him to Damascus in 37 AD, Acts 9:22-25
v22 indicates he was increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Latter when he went to Jerusalem we have this recorded in 9:29, And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death.
Paul wasn't afraid to get in there and mix it up with his audience.
I bet if he had FR back then he'd be on these threads daily.
These are some very good suggestions on what a Christian can do to become closer to God through are Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for posting.
Amen.
All good advice except to join the Catholic Church or any other Church for that matter - your salvation does not lie there. The first thing you should do is to pray to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob to show you the truth and agree to abide by it, whatever it is. It will set you free. Don’t let the storms of Dogma slow you down - resist the winds and focus on the truth as God reveals it to you.
A few suggestions and words of encouragement:
1. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
2. Realize you are a new creation in Christ. The old man has passed away, the new man has come. He has given you everything you need to live a new life from the moment you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. You now have God’s Holy Spirit living in you and He has brought with Him His fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Learn to choose the appropriate response (one of these fruits) rather than anger, resentment, jealousy, pride and all the other “fleshly human” responses. You are now a saint learning to live like one!!!
3. Realize that God never promised us this life following Jesus will be easy - in fact He has told us it will be hard. But . . . God IS faithful. He is always with you and will never leave you.
4. Find some true, fellow believers and pursue Jesus together. One person can easily be overcome by another person, two can withstand him, and a group of three believers will not be easily broken.
Welcome to the family!!
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