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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
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 ...
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Gary Patton
Supporter
Don't let others make you religious by burdening with a lot of worksy, so-called disciplines. Jesus has set you free from that! (Galations 5:1) "'Law creep', eroding grace, has affected many congregations, plus their denominations, since Jesus came to destroy all religions and denominations/sects and replace Himself." ~ © gfp '42™ Hang out with real Jesus Followers and stay away from cultural-only Christians. Whatever else you do… "Trust in God Almighty with everything you've got. Don't even try and figure out what's going on in your life. In everything you do, simply stay in intimate relationship with Him. Then, He will show you the next, best baby-step for you to take." ~ gfp '42™ (Patton Paraphrase of Proverbs 3:5-6) Blessings all!
Steve Nearman
Supporter
God has promised, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled". (Matt. 5:6) So feast on His infallible Word. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1Pet. 2:2) For His Word is truth. (Psa. 119:160, John 17:17) Have an open mind to new principles that will be shared with you from fellow believers, but check it out yourself to see if the scriptures agree. "These (Bereans) were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so". (Acts 17:11) "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ". (2 Cor. 10:5) Do not trust your own thinking! For "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes" (Prov. 21:2) and, "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps". (Jer. 10:23) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts". (Isa. 57:8-9) Instead, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." (Prov. 3:5-8) 2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". Keep the lines of commutation open with your Savior, (1 Thes. 5:17) He wants to hear from you throughout each day. Beware of the enemy! 1 Pet. 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour". 2Cor. 11:12-15 "But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness,..." They are wolves in sheep's clothing. Not every one that states they are Christian is a true child of God. Many "church goers" and "clergy" are just religious unsaved people. Matt. 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Also read: 2 Cor. 2:11, 11:3; Fellowship of kindred minds is another blessing from God. (Phil. 2:1-5) The opposite is an unholy mix "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." Read: 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 Finally, remember you are complete in Jesus Christ. There are no rituals, rites, ceremonies or ordinances you need to keep to be right with Him or to maintain your salvation. He has already done it ALL for you. Mic. 6:8 "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God" Is. 66:2 “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor (humble) and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word."
Ben Zickefoose
Supporter
A brief response to the question “what is the next step for a new Christian?” is found in the epistle the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. KJV In other words, when you have converted to Christianity, i.e. have denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly (treat yourself right), live righteously (treat others right) and live godly (treat God right), in this present world. This is really simplifying an answer to the question. It is a three point outline for one desiring to live the Christian lifestyle. The Christian religion is a religion of relationships. The teachings of Jesus were about relationships. It is challenging to recall any of Jesus’ teachings that did not relate to relationships, such as those with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, husband, wife, children, parents, neighbors, enemies, Satan, teachers, elders, etc. Be encouraged to study the Word of God. Commit to making Jesus Lord of your life. He said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 NIV Study the Bible and live the lifestyle He taught. Be holy. Be righteous. Be godly. Blessings
Ed Besselman
Supporter
1) Read God's Word - the Bible (Start with the Gospel of John, then Romans) 2) Pray often 3) Fellowship with other believers (find a mentor) Repeat
James Kraft
Supporter
Memorize John 3:16, 10:28, and 5:24 which tells us we have passed from death unto life. Those verses will help you to recognize false teachers who come to you in sheep's clothing and tell you, you have to do something to be saved. Matthew 7:15-23. You can know them by their fruit. They always add works to grace. Salvation is all grace without works. It is a free gift of God, not by what we do or do not do. Ephesians 2:8-9. Many organized churches preach a false message of works salvation. We are in the last days and false teachers are everywhere. Memorize Romans 11:6 and 4:5. Know that you are a child of God by faith in Jesus alone without works. That you have eternal life now. First John 5:13 Know that Christ has paid your sin debt in full. You can no longer be condemned. John 3:18. Memorize John 6:40, John 6:37 and 6:39 Keep away from churches that burden you with extra biblical rules an regulations. Remember John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me HATH ETERNAL LIFE. False teachers will tell you Jesus lied. They won't enter in by faith, and they don't want you to enter in either. Tell them they can loose their salvation but you can't loose yours because Jesus paid for yours. We are justified sinners by faith alone in what Jesus has already done for us. Remember the gospel once given to the saints. First Corinthians 15:3-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. All that believe He did it for them are saved and have eternal life. Galatians 1:7-9 Says; Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let them be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. There is only one gospel that Christ died for all our sins and gives us eternal life when we believe. Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 We are sealed by the Holy Spirit and can never be lost. John 6:37 Amazing grace. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. It is the gift of God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, and we all sin, but the GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is a lot to learn for a new believer, but as you learn just trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct you paths. Jesus loved you so much He was willing to die in your place so that you could go to heaven to be with Him. He paid the penalty for all your sins so that you would not have to go to hell to pay for them. My only advice for new believers is to trust in the Lord and He will do what He said He will do. Just believe John 3:16. Once you are a child of God, you are a child of God forever. That is the good news of the gospel.
Guy Hawthorne
Supporter
I may be echoing many, however, any new Christian should begin with the Gospel of John, then the Acts of the Apostles, then, Romans, Chapters 1-8. The Gospel of John will present Jesus as the true Son of God. The Acts of the Apostles gives a well rounded picture of what happened in the very early church and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Epistle of Romans, as Dr. C. I. Schofield once commented: Romans is the great church building of Christian belief, and Chapter 8 is the highest spire on that church. I remember eagerly taking a by-mail course from Moody Bible Institute ($40 yrs ago) when I first accepted Christ as my Savior. The Scholfield Course......but I am sure there are many out there. Of course, find a great teaching, loving church with your friends.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Do what I did as a new Christian, listen to Christian radio. There is wonderful Bible teaching on the air: Listen on the Go - J. Vernon McGee I would also begin, as James Kraft, suggested to memorize Scripture. But not just certain verses. Have a plan. There's a great one online called "An Advanced Scripture Memory Program." Included are more verses on a broad range of topics. There are approximately 200 verses covering broad areas of theology and ministry. We hope you learn a ton and enjoy the material! It has helped me, and it will help you, too, get the Word of God into your life. I wrote out the verses (printed them onto my memo pads), and then review them. You can also use ScriptureMemory.com (VerseLocker.com), Biblememory.com, and memverse.com like I do. They all have their advantages. (http://BibleMemory.com formerly, scripturetyper) I use the above in conjunction with memorizenow.com (verselocker also has this feature of letting the first letter of each word (it's called "initials") stand for that word.) Also, using this same strategy is Bible Universe: Click on Study Tools, then Scripture Memory Tool. I hope you (like me) like the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible because that is what this web site uses. “The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs. ” ― Vance Havner
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
What is the next step for a new Christian? The most critical next steps for a new Christian are to get baptised as a public declaration of faith, begin reading the Bible (starting with the Gospels), engage in daily prayer, and connect with a local congregation community for support and growth. These actions help build a firm foundation for a new life in Christ. Begin reading to understand God's character and will. Starting with the Gospel of John or other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) is recommended to learn about Jesus's life and teachings. 2nd Peter 3:18 Heb 6: 1-3 Establish a habit of talking to God, sharing your heart, thanking Him, and asking for guidance. John 17:3 Prayer: 1Thess 5:7 - Eph 6:18 Regularly attending a Bible-teaching Congregation is crucial for fellowship, accountability, and learning from other believers. Hebrews 10:25 Tell someone about your decision to follow Jesus, perhaps starting with a trusted friend or mentor. Matth 28: 19-20 Start applying the teachings of the Bible to your life, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and decisions. 1st Tim 4:15-16 Note, though: These steps are not for earning salvation, but for nurturing your relationship with God as you grow in your faith. Rest in the assurance that your salvation is based on what Jesus did, not on your own performance or feelings. Expect setbacks, but remember that God promises to continue the good work He started in you. Choosing the right foundation - you have now started to stand on that foundation - think of a rug on the floor, if not secured, this rug can cause you to slip and fall. Jesus gave us a nice illustration in his Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7: 24-27 ESV: "Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof." From this illustration, the foundation on which we build should be our first concern. If our foundation is to be on the rockmass of Jesus' words we must be acquainted with those words. Sadly, many people today are building on the shifting moral standards of this old world that is certain to perish when God's wrath is expressed. But you have found the real foundation, solid and not shifting like the sand. As a suggestion, why not begin reading the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew Chapters 5 - 7? Here are some highlights that we can reap from this greatest Sermon: How to be happy— How to maintain self-respect— How to improve relations with others— How to lessen marital problems— How to cope with anxiety— How to recognise religious fraud— How to find the meaning of life—
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