a5: questions
1. DO I NEED TO GET BAPTIZED?
If you just began a relationship with Jesus or have not been baptized since you accepted Christ in the past, you should be baptized. Baptism is a physical demonstration on the outside of what happened to you spiritually on the inside when your sins were washed away and you chose to follow Jesus for the rest of your life. Baptism depicts Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, which is why a person is put completely under the water for baptism. Jesus asked every person who follows Him to be baptized.
If you accepted Christ in the past and you were baptized after you accepted Jesus you do not need to be baptized again. Baptism is not a picture of returning to God, it is a picture of a new relationship with God. But, if you have never been baptized, you need to be baptized to take the next step with Jesus. Read Acts 2:38-39, Matthew 28:19-20.
2. WHAT IF MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS DO NOT ACCEPT THIS DECISION? HOW DO I EXPLAIN WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?
Once we become a Christian our devotion to God becomes the single most important thing in our lives, since it is the only thing that we experience that will last for all of eternity. At the same time, the Bible makes it clear that we should obey and respect our father and mother. You should never turn away from Christ or choose to follow a created person rather than the creator God; but at the same time you must strive not to create conflict with your parents or others about your faith. Strive to be an example to them by your love and forgiveness. When the topic comes up, be ready to talk about what God has been doing in your life with other people. God may use your story and life change to help change their heart. Read Matthew 10:37-39, Luke 9:23-26, Ephesians 6:1-3.
3. IS IT IMPORTANT THAT I FIND A CHURCH?
Actually, it is essential that you get involved in a church. God created us for each other. You need Christian people of all ages in your life to help you learn to walk with God, pray and read the Bible. Church is not just a place to go; it is a group of people asking questions about God and working together to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Every Christian should be active in a local church to learn, serve and give. Check the list of churches we recommend in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver here. Read Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 4: 3-6 and 1 Corinthians 12: 27.
4. WHAT IF I DISOBEY GOD SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, DO I HAVE TO GET RE-SAVED?
When you accepted Jesus, He forgave all your sin, even the sin you would commit in the future. He made you His child and He will not let you go. But, the sin you commit does affect your relationship with God. Every sin has consequences on your life, your family, and your friends. Our sin causes problems. So when you sin, you should admit your sin to God in prayer and ask Him to forgive you of your sin and guide you in the right way in the future.
When you admit your sin, you are not asking to be saved again. You are asking for your relationship with him to be restored. He does not give up on us, even when we sin. Nothing we do in the future can ever separate us from the love and grace of God. Because of that incredible love and forgiveness, we choose to follow Jesus.
Read more in 1 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 10:28, 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:38-39.
5. NOW WHAT DO I DO?
A relationship with God is not about a few moments at an event, a relationship with God affects every day. The more you know about God, the more you will be amazed at His love for you. As you understand God’s love, you will want to know and follow Him more. Obviously that means you need to spend time reading the Bible, time in prayer and being connected to your church. God has begun a new work in your life, now it is time to trust Him when He wants to change the direction of your life. As God speaks to you, follow His guidance.
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
We highly recommend that you take the next step and decide to be discipled!
Discipleship is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other christians in order to encourage, equip and challenge one another in love to grow towards maturity in Jesus Christ.
Check out the Equip to Serve discipleship program of Discipleship International, and if you are interested in being discipled, send and email to office@discipleshipint.org or go to Grow in your Faith and fill up the form, someone from Discipleship International will contact you soon.
