Follow Jesus
From that time Jesus began to preach this message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!”
(Matthew 4:17)
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He invited people to join Him in relationship. His invitation started with a call to repentance, i.e. changing one's heart and lives.
Jesus' invitation is an invitation to discipleship. Discipleship starts with us recognizing the need for God in our lives. It starts with us confessing our sins (i.e. the areas in our lives where we have refused to believe God's truth in our thoughts, words, and actions) and with acknowledging that Jesus is God. Once we have done this, our commitment to following Jesus begins.
(Matthew 4:17)
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He invited people to join Him in relationship. His invitation started with a call to repentance, i.e. changing one's heart and lives.
Jesus' invitation is an invitation to discipleship. Discipleship starts with us recognizing the need for God in our lives. It starts with us confessing our sins (i.e. the areas in our lives where we have refused to believe God's truth in our thoughts, words, and actions) and with acknowledging that Jesus is God. Once we have done this, our commitment to following Jesus begins.
Be Baptized
Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives..." Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized...
(Acts 2:38a & 41a)
Once we become followers of Jesus, we are called to make a public demonstration of our faith by responding to the message of the gospel that we have heard and received. That public demonstration of faith is baptism. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20 ); a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16); a symbol of our move from death to life through Christ’s burial and resurrection (Colossians 2:12-14); and it connects us to the family of God (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
(Acts 2:38a & 41a)
Once we become followers of Jesus, we are called to make a public demonstration of our faith by responding to the message of the gospel that we have heard and received. That public demonstration of faith is baptism. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20 ); a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16); a symbol of our move from death to life through Christ’s burial and resurrection (Colossians 2:12-14); and it connects us to the family of God (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Become a Member
"God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom through the church."
(Ephesians 3:10)
When we become followers of Christ, we are embraced into the family of God, the community of believers that scripture refers to as the Church. It is in our gathering as a community that God invites us to participate in the work that He is doing. God desires all His children to represent Him by reflecting our love for Him through our love, relationship, and bond with one another. When a believer joins a particular congregation, he or she is bearing witness to a union that has already happened in the heart.
(Ephesians 3:10)
When we become followers of Christ, we are embraced into the family of God, the community of believers that scripture refers to as the Church. It is in our gathering as a community that God invites us to participate in the work that He is doing. God desires all His children to represent Him by reflecting our love for Him through our love, relationship, and bond with one another. When a believer joins a particular congregation, he or she is bearing witness to a union that has already happened in the heart.