The day that you accepted Christ as your Savior, your entire life changed. The Bible says that you are reborn in that moment, meaning that you have been given a fresh start on life. However, in the same way that a baby in the physical sense grows and develops, it’s important that you do the same thing. Understanding what to do after your conversion is important when trying to pursue God’s plan and purpose for your life.
Before we begin today’s study, congratulations on your decision to accept Christ as your Savior. Not only do we celebrate with you, but the Bible teaches us that there is “rejoicing among the angels” when a sinner realizes their need for a Savior and invites Christ in to be the Lord of their life (Luke 15:7). Isn’t it amazing to know that when you asked Jesus to become your Savior and God forgave you of your sins, Heaven threw a party? You’ve truly started a new life in Christ, but that can also leave you with plenty of questions.
Ideally, you are already connected with a local church that offers a discipleship program of some type. These programs can help you take the first steps that are necessary after conversion. However, not everyone gets saved in a traditional church setting. Moreover, not every local church body offers discipleship or new convert programs.
The decision that you’ve made is the greatest decision that you will ever make in your life. Not only has God erased all the negatives from your past, but He has also promised to walk with you in your present while sealing your future for all of eternity. If you’re not sure what comes next, consider these steps.
Becoming Connected With Other Believers
Hebrews 10:25 (TPT)
This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning
One of the most important aspects of thriving as a new convert is to become connected with other believers in a local church setting. There will probably be people in your life who invite you to attend the same church that they do. By all means, go with them to see how well their church suits you. There will be some churches that provide exactly what you’re looking for. There will be others that simply don’t mesh well with your personality. That’s completely acceptable! There are different churches, worship styles, and denominations out there because every one is not tailor made for every believer.
The kind of church that you attend is not as important as the fact that you attend a local church. Find a church that teaches and preaches the Word of God, encourages corporate worship, and allows you to develop lasting relationships with likeminded believers.
People often ask, “Do I really have to go to church to be a Christian”? That’s a bit of a tricky question, as the Bible never explicitly states, “You will go to hell if you don’t attend church.” However, we can look at this admonishment in the Book of Hebrews and see that church attendance is important. Spend some time evaluating what church you want to attend. This isn’t a decision that you have to make today. Instead, attend church with friends and family members, or go on your own! Find a place that you’re excited to attend and be an active part of.
Getting Baptized
Matthew 3:13-17 (TPT)
Then Jesus left Galilee to come to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But when he waded into the water, John resisted him, saying, “Why are you doing this? I’m the one who needs to be baptized by you, and yet you come to be baptized by me?” Jesus replied, “It is only right to do all that God requires.” Then John baptized Jesus. And as Jesus rose up out of hte water, the heavenly realm opened up over him and he saw the Holy Spirit descend out of the heavens and rest upon him in the form of a dove. Then suddenly the voice of the Father shouted from the sky, saying, “This is the Son I love, and my greatest delight is in him.”
It’s important to understand the premise of baptism. Baptism in itself does not save your soul. It can’t, as it is a work. The Bible teaches us that there are no works that we can perform that seal our salvation. Instead, we are saved by the grace of God and through our faith in Him. The Bible teaches us that if there were works that we could perform that would save us, including baptism, we would be able to boast about saving ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Instead, the Bible teaches us that being baptized is the answer of a clear conscience towards God (1 Peter 3:21). Getting baptized doesn’t save you, but you want to be baptized because you are saved. When you were born into the natural realm, you didn’t do anything to facilitate the process. Your parents conceived you, your mother delivered you, and then they announced your birth to friends and family members. In the same vein, you don’t actually do anything when you’re born again. God saves you, and you simply believe His Word and His promises that you can be forgiven. Consider baptism as the public announcement of your rebirth.
Most of Christ’s life isn’t record in Scripture. We have the story of Him remaining in the temple when He was 12, but then we don’t hear anything else about Him until He was 30 years old. His life was largely lived in anonymity until the account that we just read. Christ opted for baptism as a means of announcing the start of His public ministry. It serves the same purpose for us.
Being baptized doesn’t mean that you’re going to start teaching and preaching like Christ. Instead, it is an external declaration of an internal change. If you haven’t been baptized yet, seriously consider making it your next step after you’ve found a church that you want to attend regularly.
Commit to Prayer and Study
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TPT)
Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TPT)
God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. it will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.
Finally, there are some things that you will need to do in your private life now that you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior. Yes, church attendance is important, but if the only time that you’re praying and reading the Bible is when you’re gathered in worship with other believers, you are shorting yourself on the things that God wants to offer you.
Set aside some time every day to read the Bible and to pray. The most important aspect of any relationship is communication, and your relationship with God is certainly no different. When you read the Bible, God is communicating with You. When you pray, you’re communicating with Him. If you’re going to nurture this newfound relationship, communication should be a foundational principle. Make sure that you’re doing everything possible to keep the lines of communication open.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. I know that I have done nothing to earn Your grace and forgiveness, but You offer it to me anyway. Help me to find a local church where I can learn more about You and connect with other believers. Finally, help me to crave and understand Your Word. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.