Heaven Is Rejoicing
When you put your trust in Christ, God forgave every one of your sins: past, present and future. You became His child. The Bible says the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 15:10
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
You don't have to get everything right before you start. Every Christian began right where you are. Take these steps one at a time.
You Can Know You Are Saved
Some days you will feel close to God, and some days you won't. Feelings change; God's promises don't. Your salvation doesn't depend on how well you hold on to God, but on how securely He holds on to you.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
When you believed, God gave you His Holy Spirit to live in you, as His seal that you belong to Him. He will never leave you.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:13
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
When doubts come (and they will), go back to the promise, not the feeling. Write 1 John 5:13 down somewhere you'll see it.
When You Sin
You are saved, but you still live in a body that wants to sin, and you will sometimes fail. That doesn't mean you've lost your salvation. You are still God's child. But sin hurts your fellowship with your Father, like a child who disobeys is still part of the family but feels far away.
The answer is simple: tell God about it, agree with Him that it was wrong, and thank Him for forgiving you. Then get up and keep going.
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
Tell Someone
Don't keep the good news to yourself. Tell a friend or family member what Jesus has done for you. And please tell us; we would love to rejoice with you and pray for you.
Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mark 5:19
Read Your Bible
The Bible is how God speaks to you. Just as a newborn baby needs milk, a new Christian needs God's Word every day to grow. Start with the Gospel of John, a chapter a day.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Peter 2:2
New to the Bible? Here's how to find your way around it →
Talk to God in Prayer
Prayer is simply talking to God. You don't need fancy words or a special place. He is your Father now, and He wants to hear from you. Thank Him, tell Him what's on your heart, ask for what you need, and pray for others.
Jesus gave this pattern for prayer:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Baptism
Baptism does not save you, and it doesn't add anything to your salvation. You were saved the moment you trusted Christ. Baptism comes after salvation, as your first step of obedience. It is a public picture of what Jesus did for you: going under the water pictures His death and burial, and coming up pictures His resurrection and your new life.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
In the Bible, people were baptized by being put under water (immersion), after they believed:
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8:36-38
Jesus commanded His followers to be baptized. Baptism is done through a local church, so when you find a good Bible-believing church, talk to the pastor about it.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Find a Good Church
God never meant for you to live the Christian life alone. A good church is where you'll hear the Bible preached, learn, grow, and serve alongside other believers.
Your First Week
A few simple things to do this week. Tick them off as you go.
Your ticks are saved on this phone or computer only.
Have Questions?
We would be glad to talk with you, answer your questions, or pray with you. These pages are from Rushville Baptist Temple, a Baptist church in Rushville, Indiana.