NEW TO CHRISTIANITY?

There are many religions and gods in the world. Knowing which path to take can be confusing and frustrating. The decision to follow Christ may not be easy, but it is simple and leads to the most fulfillment. Faith is the initial requirement to enter into a relationship with God. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) describes faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is a supernatural substance that is not seen or measured in the earthly realm. Faith itself is proof that the spiritual realm exists.

Think about trusting a physician to perform a risky surgery, hiring a babysitter to look after a newborn, or finding a mechanic to fix an engine. As you research and weigh options, you rely on reputation and track record to help finalize your decision. As you move forward, you choose to trust without knowing the final result. In the end, you put faith in the other party to keep their word and honor their commitment.

This is the same process of choosing to trust the God of the Bible. The difference is He always keeps His promises, always honors His word, and He has given the guarantee of eternal life for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.  

The Old Testament (covenant) required the blood of goats and rams as an offering to cover the sins of the people. These sacrifices were offered by priests who presented burnt offerings to God and confessed their own sins before interceding for Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14). His blood completely removes sin, providing the perfect sacrifice once and for all. Those who believe in Him will never be condemned (Romans 8:1).

The virgin birth, sinless life, death, and resurrection of Christ were for our benefit, to break the curse that came through Adam's failure (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Eternal life in Christ is a promise to every generation regardless of who we are or what we've done. Jesus is the only Man worthy to stand in the presence of God without fault. Therefore, confidence in our salvation comes from who Jesus is, not from how good we can be (Ephesians 2:8-9). Thank God for sending His Son to satisfy the debt we could never repay!

Take a moment to read the conversation between Jesus and Pharisee Nicodemus in John 3:1-8. Being born of the Holy Spirit is a miracle and a mystery we cannot fully understand on this side of eternity. Many theologians have tried to interpret and expound on the "point of conversion", but the Savior assures us no one can explain it. The process requires our faith, but all power to regenerate the human spirit belongs to God. 

Following wholehearted repentance and an open confession of belief in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), the miracle of new birth takes place and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, in our heart (Rom. 8:10-11; Gal. 4:6). When we receive the Holy Spirit we are immediately identified as children of God and given full rights as heirs to the Kingdom (Rom. 8:16-17). This is a supernatural shift from spiritual darkness to light, from spiritual death to eternal life. By the grace of God and the power of His Spirit, we are now living in Christ. The old life is gone and a new life has begun (2 Cor. 5:17)!

Water baptism is an important step in our faith walk. This demonstration strengthens our identity as a follower of Christ, connects us with a community of believers, and prepares us for greater works in the Kingdom of God. Water baptism is often described as "an outward expression of an inward change." After we place faith in Christ, and we're born again, one of the first fruits of righteousness the Holy Spirit leads us to is full immersion baptism. This act represents new birth, the cleansing of sins, and shows that we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 

John the Baptist hesitated to baptize Jesus, thinking himself unworthy of the task. But He said to him, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires" (Matthew 3:15). If the perfect Son of God - needing no justification - submitted to water baptism in obedience to the Father, then His disciples should do the same. 

The Holy Spirit's anointing is available to every born-again believer regardless of their denomination or position in the church (Acts 2:39). All baptisms recorded in Scripture are for our benefit. Water baptism is performed by human hands (i.e. pastor) and is a required work for every believer (Matt. 3:13-15; Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5). When we're born again, we're also baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:12-13; Eph. 4:4-6). 

Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is performed by Jesus; the Spirit is the substance into which the Christian is submerged (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8). Depending on God's work in a believer's life, and their faith to receive, this baptism may or may not be an immediate consequence of regeneration. 

For clarification, when we're born again, the Spirit comes to live in us (Rom. 8). Water baptism is the outward sign that this divine transaction has taken place. When Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit comes upon us in power  (Acts 1:8, 10:34-48). The initial outward sign is audibly speaking in other tongues. 

Note: this is not a settled issue and there is a great debate among scholars and theologians. 

It is impossible to mature, gain knowledge, and be effective in the Body of Christ without regularly submitting to these three disciplines. Studying Scripture gives us spiritual wisdom (Prov. 2:6), devotion to prayer increases intimacy with God (Matt. 6:5-13), and fasting sharpens our spiritual senses to help us discern the enemy and resist temptation (Matt. 4:1-11).  Healthy habits of prayer, reading, and fasting keep us continually focused on the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). 

There is no "formula" for praying, reading, and fasting. The Scriptures simply command us to pray without ceasing (Eph. 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17); read daily (Matt. 6:11); fast in confidence (Matt. 6:16-18). Christ's example is the standard of measurement. Our level of dedication depends on how closely we choose to walk with Him. The more we apply ourselves, the more we will want to do!  

Suffering is part of our identity in Christ (2 Tim. 3:12). The Christian life is not free of hardships, pain, or loss. Rather, Jesus said as long as we're living in this world, we will have trouble. We find our peace in Him (John 16:33). James 1:2-4 says to consider trials an opportunity for our faith to be refined and for patience to produce maturity in Christ. When you experience delayed answers to prayer or see the opposite of what we pray come to pass. Don't lose faith in these moments! 

Although it is God's will to bless His children, we must understand that having everything we want is not the reason we are saved. Throughout our walk with God, we must manage our expectations according to Scripture (1 John 5:14-15). The foundation of our faith is strengthened when we choose to trust in Jesus regardless of our circumstances. He is faithful through every season and every storm. He is an anchor for our souls (Heb. 6:19).

Humans are incapable of producing anything good in and of themselves (Rom. 7:18-21). But if we are truly born again of the Holy Spirit, we will produce the fruit of righteousness (Rom. 8:9:14). Christians are called to live as a reflection of the Father (Matt. 5:14-16). We are commanded to put on our new nature in Christ (Col. 3:10), be transformed in our mind (Rom.12:1-2), and resist the world's sinful passions (1 john 2:15-17). As the Spirit dwells in us, He gives us the power to resist temptations and to cease willful, habitual sin (Phil. 2:13).

True repentance commands us to completely turn away from unholy living (2 Cor. 7:10). We have a responsibility to respond to the Spirit's conviction (James 4:17; Eph. 5:15-17) and, by His power, work to build Christlike character (2 Peter 1: 5-11). Throughout our Christian walk, we still struggle with flesh and the temptation to sin. Yet, we can have confidence that Jesus, our High Priest, intercedes for us and His blood never loses its power!

Under the Old Covenant, the Jews were required to dwell in proximity to the presence of God. In Exodus 40:34-38 and 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, the presence of God filled the Tabernacle and the Temple. However, in Acts 2:1-4, the Spirit of God infills and baptizes His disciples. So, under the New Covenant, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:20-21). The Church (capital 'C') is born-again believers; the church (lowercase 'c') is just a building.

Although it is God's will that we gather with believers (Heb. 10:23-25), it is not God's will that we attend services out of rituals or obligations. He intends that we meet together as one Body and family to draw strength, to serve, to motivate, and to encourage one another. Gatherings provide accountability, spiritual covering, and resources to meet our needs. We also meet for intercessory prayer, to legislate the Kingdom of God in the earthly realm. His presence and power are available to us in a greater way when we come into proximity and agreement with fellow believers.

There is a war in the unseen realm for our mind, will, and emotions (Eph. 6:10-18). Until we pass into eternity, we will battle against the enemy of our souls and contend with fleshly desires (1 Pet. 5:8-9; Rom. 7:14-25). This is a reality that Christians will either deny or face head-on in their walk with God. Demonic oppression, carnality, and generational curses (that is, unhealthy patterns and cycles inherited through bloodlines) are real issues that can threaten our peace and affect everyday life. 

Prayer, reading, and fasting (mentioned above), as well as praise and worship, are weapons that build resistance against the flesh and destroy the schemes of demonic forces.  In Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit in us and upon us, we wage war against anything contrary to the Word of God. We contend for what we know the Savior died for us to experience - abundant life now and for eternity!

Becoming a Christian requires the substance and evidence of faith. Christianity is often defined as a relationship with God rather than religion; it's an experience rather than just another belief system. Christians understand Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world, the Son of God, 100% Man, 100% God, King of kings, Lord of lords, and Ruler of everything. We also believe in one God in Three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - equal in infinitude, power, and wisdom. These are basic tenets of the Christian faith.

The God of the Bible is the only God to reveal Himself as Creator of the universe, who stepped into time, took on flesh, died for His creation, and rose from the dead to give them eternal life. Anyone who rejects Christ and dies in their sin will spend eternity separated from God. This, too, is fundamental Christian doctrine. Everyone has free will to decide whether this is reasonable, provable, practical, and applicable.

Heaven is real. Hell is real - refusing to believe this has never stopped anyone from going there. The love of God is real and He believes in those who do not believe in Him. The invitation is extended, mercy is available, and there is room at the cross. Every day is an opportunity to accept Christ's sacrifice. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2)!