Following Jesus Baptism Beliefs Faith Next Steps Questions

What's Next?

Congratulations! You have decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus. You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Join us as we guide you toward becoming an outward-focused follower of Jesus.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

First, it means understanding what Jesus did to take away our sin and accepting his offer of eternal life.

Our Sin

We are all born with a sin nature. Because of our sin, we are unable to have a relationship with God without forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 NLT

God's Gift

We can’t earn God’s forgiveness – it must be given. Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could be forgiven.

Romans 6:23 NLT

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT

Romans 5:8 NLT

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT

Our Response

We must accept this free gift from God by committing our lives and heart to Jesus.

Romans 10:9 NLT

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NLT

Romans 10:13 NLT

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NLT

Have you done this?

If not, take time to call upon the Lord right now. Praying for God’s salvation is as simple as ABC. Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again, and Commit to live the rest of your life for Him

In your own words, say something like this to God: “Heavenly Father, forgive me of all my sins. Make me brand new. I believe Jesus died for me and rose again so I could live for you. Fill me with your Spirit so I can know you, serve you, and follow you the rest of my life. My life is not my own—today I give it to you. Thank you for my new life! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen”.

God's Peace

The result of giving our lives to Jesus and following him is the relationship of peace we can have with God.

Romans 5:1 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 NLT

Celebrate Your Faith Through Baptism

If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, baptism is one of the most meaningful next steps you can take. Baptism is a public celebration of your decision to follow Jesus.

A Symbol of Your Faith

Baptism shows others that you have been made new. It represents your old sinful life being washed clean because of your faith in Jesus.

Romans 6:4 NLT

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4 NLT

I Want to Be Baptized

What do followers of Jesus Believe?

We believe in God as the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are all one God and are joined together into what we call the Trinity. As an outward-focused follower of Jesus, you are a new creation made to live for him.

God the Father

God is the creator of the world and calls us His children.

1 John 3:1 NLT

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1 NLT

The Son

Jesus is fully God and fully man and is alive today in Heaven.

Matthew 1:22-23 NLT

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). Matthew 1:22-23 NLT

The Holy Spirit

The power of God is alive in us through the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

Learn More About Our Beliefs

How do I grow my faith?

God wants to have a relationship with us and He’s given us ways to know Him better. As we get to know God, we better understand his plan for our lives and how he wants to help us become more like Jesus.

Read the Bible

The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. It’s God’s Word written specifically to guide us through life.

Psalms 119:105 NLT

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

Reading Resources

Download the Bible App and find a Bible reading plan to help you make the Bible part of your everyday life.

You can also dig deeper into God’s word with the OneStory Bible reading plan.

Bible App OneStory Plan

Make Prayer Part of Your Day

Prayer is simply talking with God, and there's nothing more powerful than asking for God's help. Check out Guided Prayer on the Bible App to help you get started.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

Listen

Talking to God isn’t a one-way street – He wants to talk to us, too. Take time to learn His voice and listen to His direction for you.

John 10:27 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NLT

Worship

Any time we give God credit for His goodness, we are worshipping Him. When we pray, serve, or help others in their faith, we are following God’s will and showing our gratitude for who He is.

Psalms 29:2 NLT

Honor the lord for the glory of his name. Worship the lord in the splendor of his holiness. Psalms 29:2 NLT

Listen to Music Now

What’s my next step?

Just like any other relationship, we need to invest time and effort into getting to know who God is and what He wants for us.

Connect

Life is better together. When we interact with other followers of Jesus we find support and encouragement to continue in our faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Mark 10:45 NLT

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NLT

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Grow

As followers of Jesus, our goal is to grow to be more and more like him. We have a fantastic resource to help you understand the basics of faith and how to develop a relationship with Jesus called "Love Jesus". It’s great to go through on your own, but so much better with someone who can help guide you through the material and answer any questions you may have. If you're interested, click the button below.

Ephesians 4:14-15 NLT

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:14-15 NLT

I'm Interested in a Love Jesus Mentorship

We grow spiritually as we connect with other Jesus followers in smaller communities. We have two small group formats: Grace Groups and Huddles. Click the buttons below to learn more.

Acts 2:42 NLT

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NLT

Grace Groups Huddles

We grow more like Jesus when we follow his example of generous living. When we give God our time, talents, and financial gifts, we give God the chance to prove his faithfulness.

Malachi 3:10 NLT

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT

Learn More About Giving

Go

When you experience something as good as God’s love, you want to share it with the people in your life! Talk about how God has changed your life, build relationships, and invite someone to come to church with you.

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NLT

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