The most important information you will find on our web-site is on this page. The most important decision you will ever make in your life is the decision about what to do with Jesus Christ. This is a decision that will affect, not only this life, but all eternity. We invite you to prayerfully consider the information printed below.
Salvation
Assurance of Salvation
Baptism
Salvation
- Have you come to a place in your life that you know for certain you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?
- Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?" What would you say?
God's purpose
God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible states it this way, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's purpose is that we have eternal life.
- We receive eternal life as a free gift (Romans 6:23).
- We can live a full and meaningful life right now (John 10:10).
- We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven (John 14:3).
Our need
As we search for meaning in life, we discover our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
- We are all sinners by nature and by choice. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
- We cannot save ourselves (Ephesians 2:9).
- We deserve death and hell (Romans 6:23).
God's provision
God is holy and just and must punish sin. Yet He loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
- Jesus is God and became man (John 1:1,14).
- Jesus died for us on the cross (1 Peter 3:18).
- Jesus was resurrected from the dead (Romans 4:25).
Our response
The only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
- We must repent of our sin. "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
- Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin (Acts 26:20).
- Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning to God through Jesus.
- We must place our faith in Jesus. "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
- Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus (James 2:19).
- Faith is trusting in Jesus.
- We must surrender to Jesus as Lord. "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shal believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).
- Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus (Matthew 7:21).
- Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control of our lives.
Commitment
As evidence of giving Jesus control we will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way to identify with Jesus is to confess Jesus publicly and follow Him in baptism and church membership (Romans 10:13).
- "Does what we have been discussing make sense to you?"
- "Is there any reason why you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?"
- "Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus right now?"
Prayer of commitment
Dear Lord Jesus ... I believe You are the Son of God ... and died to forgive me of my sins ... I know I have sinned ...I ask You to forgive me ... I turn from my sins and I receive You as my Lord and Savior ... Thank You for saving me. Amen.
My commitment: Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me. I want to live for You the rest of my life.
Assurance of Salvation
Do you doubt your salvation? Doubts are not uncommon to Christians.
God's purpose
- God intends for us to know we have eternal life. The Bible says, "He ths hath the Son has life; ... These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:12-13).
- God intends for us to experience the joy of salvation (John 15:10-11).
Our need
Why do you feel you need assurance of your salvation? Bible writers also expressed the need for renewal (Psalm 51:12).
- Has sin or disobedience caused you to doubt your salvation?
- Has Satan placed doubts in your mind (Genesis 3:1)?
- Have you neglected prayer, Bible study, worship, and witness?
- Do you have unanswered questions about God or about daily experiences of life?
God's provision
- God has promised to complete His work of salvation in us (Philippians 1:6).
- Jesus promises assurance of eternal life. "He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).
- Jesus said no one could take the Christian out of His hand (John 10:28).
- The Holy Spirit tells us we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).
Our response
- We receive God's assurance by faith and express it through obedience (1 John 2:3-5). Christians are not to trust only their feelings. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
- Confess all known sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
- Commit yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10).
- Claim God's promises of salvation by faith. Know. Believe. Commit. (2 Timothy 1:12).
- Obey God's commands (John 14:21; 15:10).
My Commitment: Father, I place my complete faith in You and thank You for the assurance of salvation.
Baptism
Have you been baptized by immersion since receiving Christ as Savior? Baptism is a response of obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord (Acts 2:38,41). Although baptism does not save, it demonstrates our recognition of the lordship of Christ over every aspect of our lives. "Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20).
God's purpose
- We declare our new life in Christ through baptism (Acts 2:41; 8:35-38; 16:25-34).
- The essentials of the gospel — death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus — are portrayed in baptism (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
- Your spiritual death, burial, and resurrection are pictured in baptism (Romans 6:3-4).
Our need
- We need to confess Christ publicly through baptism soon after we are saved (Matthew 10:32).
- We need to obey Christ's command (Matthew 28:19).
- We need to join the fellowship of the church family (Acts 2:41).
- We need to follow Christ's example (Matthew 3:13-15).
God's provision
- Jesus began His public ministry with baptism (Mark 1:9-11).
- Immersion in water (placed under) is the proper way to be baptized (Acts 8:38).
- Jesus has given authority to the local church to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20).
Our response
- Request the local church to baptize you.
- Be baptized as an expression of obedience to Christ (Acts 2:41).
- Influence others through your baptism (Acts 16:31-33).
In summary, the essentials of baptism are: Believe in Jesus for salvation; ask the local church for baptism; be immersed in water.
My commitment: Father, I want to obey You and let others know I have a new life in Jesus Christ. Bless me as I follow Jesus in baptism.
