Six questions most new believers ask in the first weeks, answered plainly, with the verses to check for yourself.
If you’ve trusted Jesus, yes. It rests on Him, not on how you feel today.
Salvation is a gift. You received it by believing, the same way you would accept any gift. You can’t add to it by being good, and you can’t lose it by having a hard week.
Feelings come and go. Keep your eyes on what God has said.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8
A public step that says, “I belong to Jesus.”
Baptism doesn’t save you. Christ already did that. It’s your first act of obedience after you believe, a picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and of your new life in Him.
If you’re ready, tell a pastor. We’ll talk it through and plan a time together.
Ask a pastor about baptism“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew 28:19
Start with John. One chapter a day.
The Bible is one story told over many books. You don’t read it cover to cover on day one. Begin with the Gospel of John to meet Jesus, then Acts to see how the church began, then Romans for what salvation means.
Pick a time you can keep. Read slowly, ask what it says, then what it means, then what to do about it.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Like you’re talking to someone who’s listening, because He is.
There are no magic words. Thank Him for what He has done, and tell Him honestly where you are and what is going on in your life. The Psalms are a great example of people’s prayers put to song. They show a wide range of emotion and a true picture of people having very honest conversations with God. He made you, and He knows every thought you have. Prayer is a simple conversation with Him.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6
Because no one grows alone.
God put believers together on purpose. At church you’ll hear the Bible taught, worship with others, and find people who will pray for you and help when life gets hard.
We meet Sunday at 9:00 am for Sunday School, 10:00 am for worship, and 6:00 pm in the evening, on Stetson Road in Exeter.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.”
Hebrews 10:25
Tell God the truth, turn from it, keep going.
You’ll still sin. Paul teaches in Romans that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Being a believer means you now have a Father who forgives and a Spirit who helps you change. Sometimes the road will be difficult, and progress in becoming more like Jesus can look like it isn’t happening at all. The Bible says that we all change from one degree to the next, small and incremental. These are daily steps on the path to becoming more like Jesus. So don’t hide. Bring it to God, and bring it to a friend who can help keep you accountable.
“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
