I have decided to follow Jesus Christ through Salvation, so. .  what's next?

This page is intended to be a helpful guide for anyone who is seeking to understand what it means to follow Jesus. These steps are not meant to be an exhaustive explanation of what it looks like to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but rather a basic outline of the journey of following Him.

It all begins with the Gospel—the good news of salvation through Jesus—which makes it possible for us to become His followers. The first step after salvation is baptism, a public declaration of our faith in Christ. That baptism is how we join a local church. after joining a local church,  Jesus said we will be given spiritual authority and power through the church. As members of a Bible-believing church, we are called to serve and give of ourselves, following the example of our Savior.

As members of a Bible-believing church, we are called to serve and give of ourselves, following the example of our Savior.

 

 

 

 

 

What is the Gospel?

Simply put, the Gospel means "Good News." In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The Gospel is the incredible news that God offers salvation to all people. But within that good news is an implied truth: there's also bad news. The bad news is that we all need saving—saving from our sin. Every one of us is born into sin because of Adam’s original disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Because of that sin, we are all destined for eternal separation from the God who loves us, in a place the Bible calls Hell.

But here’s the Good News: in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains the Gospel clearly—“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, taking the penalty for our sin.

So how do we receive this Gospel? By faith. Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Confess to God that you are a sinner, and ask Him to forgive your sins and become your Savior. As Romans 10:13 promises, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

That truly is Good News!

What is Baptism?

Baptism is the first step of obedience for a believer after receiving salvation. It involves the full immersion of the believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This act of obedience is a powerful symbol of the believer’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It represents the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old way of life, and the resurrection to walk in a new life in Christ. Baptism also serves as a public testimony of the believer’s hope in the final resurrection of the dead.

As a church ordinance, baptism is required before participating in the privileges of church membership, including the Lord’s Supper.
(Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41–42)

What is church membership?

To understand church membership, you must understand the nature of a church. Throughout history, churches have looked different depending on the era and location. Some churches met in homes, others met under a tree, while others met in large cathedrals. Regardless of the gathering place, the church has always been a local group of believers who have joined their lives together to serve God and carry out the commands of Christ. Church membership is not like joining a country club or gym. In those places, you pay dues and expect to receive benefits—essentially saying, “I’m a member, now serve me. Joining a local body (i.e. church membership) is both a privilege and responsibility. Church membership means that, rather than be served, I commit my life to serve the Lord with and through the local church body. It means maintaining a close walk with God throughout the week; faithfully attend the services; serving; supporting the church through my tithes and offerings; sharing my faith with others; prayer; and loving and supporting the church, its leaders and other members. Should the Lord lead you to join with us in serving the Lord at Town East Baptist, we would be honored to talk with you about “Joining the Church.”

How do we give?

Everything we have is a gift from God. As stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, we have a responsibility to support our local church financially. God established the tithe as the foundation for giving, but Scripture also encourages believers to give beyond the tithe—generously, sacrificially, and cheerfully—as needs arise.

In addition to tithing, Christians are called to give offerings to support the broader work of the church, including missions, benevolence (such as love offerings), and other ministries the church deems necessary.

(Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9–10; Acts 4:34–37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17–18; 1 John 3:17)

How do we serve?

Service is ultimately an expression of love. We love because God first loved us. His greatest act of love was displayed on the cross, where He willingly gave His life for us. True love is sacrificial love.

As followers of Christ, we are called to serve one another by giving our time and talents selflessly for the benefit of others. Jesus showed us a beautiful example of serving each other when He humbly washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room. God has gifted each of us with unique abilities, and these gifts are meant to be used in service to Him. Whether it’s teaching a Sunday School class, singing in the choir, helping with Vacation Bible School, or providing a meal for a grieving family, whatever God has equipped you to do, use those gifts to serve Him faithfully.

(John 3:16; John 13:12–14, 35; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 4:10–11; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:19)