Welcome to the family of Christ.
We are excited because of this wonderful life-changing decision you have made. You have decided to accept God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior. Your commitment to Christ is the most important because it determines your future here on earth as well as in heaven. It is our prayer that you will pledge your lifelong allegiance to him because life without him will make your life very incomplete.
Your first years as a Christian are an exhilarating time. You have a new heart and a new mind, and the Spirit of the living God is alive within you. Therefore, you will develop an appetite for truth and righteousness and you will desire to spend time with new friends who share your faith. You will also begin to rethink your approach to old habits, hangouts, pastimes, and friends. Don’t be surprised by a deep yearning to see everyone you know experience salvation. This is called transformation. You are changing and becoming the kind of person God wants to use for His glory—holy, useful, and effective.
Regeneration: Understanding Your New Nature In Christ
The Bible speaks of this beautiful change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
You are the same on the outside yet very different on the inside. Before salvation, you were spiritually dead because of sin and unrighteousness. However, when you are saved you enter into a process called Regeneration.
1) Regeneration: God changing the heart of man, enabling him to respond to His grace in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
(a) Regeneration is necessary because in the natural state, man is dead in his trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and because of the nature of his unregenerate heart (Jeremiah 17:9).
(b) Regeneration is essential for salvation (John 3:3).
(c) The source of regeneration is the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-6)
(d) The means of regeneration is the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).
(e) The proof of regeneration is a new life (1 John 2:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
He is your Comforter-(John 14:16) He is your Guide-(John 14:26) He is the Spirit of Truth-(John 15:26-27)
He prays for you-(Romans 8:26-27) He gives you spiritual gifts-(1 Corinthians 12:7-14)
He influences you to witness for Christ-(Acts 2:1-4)
· For your correction, perfection, instruction in righteousness, and ability to produce good works-(2 Timothy 3:16)
· For your learning-(Romans 15:4 & Luke 11:28)
· To discern the thoughts and intents or your heart-(Hebrews 4:12)
· To cleanse your heart and ways-(John 15:3 & Psalms 119:133)
· To bear fruit-(John 15:5 & 7; Luke 8:11-15 & James 1:21)
· To keep yourself from sinning-(Psalm 119:9 & 11; and 1 John 2:1)
· To promote spiritual growth-(1 Peter 2:2, Matthew 4:4, and Hebrews 5:12-14)
Why You Must Participate In Church Attendance
The church is a body of people united in fellowship. This human and divine fellowship was beautifully created by our Heavenly Father. It is a fellowship in the Spirit that unites the Body of Christ.
