After You Believe

What to Do After You Become a Christian

First Things In the Christian Life

The Most Important Step I can take after believing "on the name of the Son of God" and being saved is to begin to grow as a newborn babe in Christ.

1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

It is truly God's grace that we are delivered from the bondage of a sinful life. If you will begin today [victory will be sustained only by a daily walk with God], and every day, to do these 5 simple commands from the Bible.

1. READ, Memorize and Meditate Day and Night on the Word of God.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

This first step is the most significant since it will begin to replace vain thoughts with noble thoughts in your mind on a daily, instantaneous-as-needed basis.

2. PRAY to God Continuously.

1 Thessalonians 5: 17 Pray without ceasing.

Prayer is talking to God just as you would talk to another great and intimate Friend. A model is given to you in Matt 6.9-13; the model has 6 major principles †:

1 Hallowed Be Thy Name =

ADORE God first in prayer by 1) meditation upon His attributes (character traits) AND also by 2)Thanksgiving to Him for His works in your life.

2 Thy Kingdom Come =

ANTICIPATE the coming of the kingdom He has promised will come. This means 1)Evangelize others; (Acts 1:8) 2)Pray for more laborers to evangelize (Luke 10:2); 3)Faithfully occupy your responsibilities, roles, and duties until Christ comes (Matt. 25:27); (4)Disciple the believers you see converted; and finally 5)Hunger for His kingdom to come (Rev. 22:20).

3 Thy Will be Done =

SUBMIT to His will through the power of prayer as you live and grow in your Christian life; it comes by every decision you make. The 5 major ones are choosing a)helpmeet b)church/school c)ministry d)house e)vocation.

4 Give us ... Our Daily Bread=

PETITION God and ask for the necessities of your physical and spiritual life.

5 Forgive us our Debts =

CONFESS your sins to God for restored fellowship with Him whenever you sin. (1 John 1:9)

6 Lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from evil =

RESOLVE in your heart not to forsake Him in your Christian life and ARM yourself for spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10ff).

Bible reading and prayer are definitely the two single most important steps of Christian growth. A detailed prayer outline is available online†.

However, the following must not be neglected either

3. Be Baptized by Immersion and Identify Yourself as a Believer.

Romans 6: 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The simple act of Baptism is one of the clearest means of increasing your faith, and tells God, as well as others, you are serious about serving Him.

4. Attend and Become a Member of a Bible-Believing Church.

Hebrews 10: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Becoming accountable to others organized in a New-Testament style church is the God-ordained way to endure the ebb and flow of the Christian life. Picture it as a 'hospital for sinners!' God will lead you to the one you ought to join. (See Philippians 3:13-15)

5. GIVE Generously Back to God as He has Given to You Your Time, Talents, and Money.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

God has promised to meet your every need as you obey Him by giving of your time, your abilities, and your money. Your giving should be done scripturally. Study the Bible to discover HOW!

For your records:

Date you received Jesus Christ as Savior:

______________________

Date you were baptized by immersion:

______________________

Church you have been led to attend:

______________________

Your Name: (See Revelation 22:14)

_______________________________

For Christian literature and help, contact:

C. Patrick Lanyon of East Hartford, CT

860-528-7205

† See more: www.aprayernotebook.net

or Truth Baptist Church

60 Burnham Street

South Windsor, CT 06074

860-289-8976

www.truthbaptistchurch.org