Guiding You Every Step of the Way.
Guiding You Every Step of the Way.
If you’re feeling down and troubled, Southern Cross Ministries is here to help you. Our ministry provides prayer needs, marriage, and pre-marriage counseling services. With our assistance, you can learn how to face your struggles with a positive mind. We offer our services to individuals and family members in the South Texas Coastal Bend area.
Helping You on Your Journey to God's Kingdom.
Helping You on Your Journey to God's Kingdom.
“I am a new Christian. What’s the next step?”
“I am a new Christian. What’s the next step?”
Congratulations! As a new Believer, you are experiencing the beginning of your new, eternal life (John 3:16; 10:10). God has forgiven your sins and you’ve been given a fresh start. (Romans 4: 7) You are given inexpressible, glorious joy. (1 Peter 1: 8-9)
Apart from the wonderful blessings of knowing Christ, you are probably thinking, “Now what? What is the next step?” We’re here to guide you. We provide these important principles from the Holy Bible for those who have just begun a new relationship with God:
1. Read your Bible. There are many translations and numerous places to start. While there is no perfect translation, we recommend you choose a Bible that is easy for you to understand and is faithful to the original text of the Bible. The Bible teaches, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth”
2. Start praying. A lot of people think that a prayer should include a formal set of words or phrases and must only take place during a church service. Prayer, however, is simply talking with God. The Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing.
(1 Thessalonians 5: 17) We must praise God day and night no matter where we are. If we really want to know God more deeply, we must communicate with Him regularly on a daily basis.
Every day, you can give thanks to God, ask Him to answer your daily needs, and pray on behalf of others. It’s also essential to pray together with other people who follow Christ. We must encourage each other, praise God, and seek answers to everyone’s requests. If you are new to praying, you can start with the Lord’s Prayer. (Matthew 6: 9-13)
3. Be baptized. Baptism is a sacrament that symbolizes your new life in Christ. It also proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized (Luke 3: 1-22) and He calls His followers to be baptized as well. Baptism was practiced by Jesus’ very first followers (Acts 2:41). Usually, the leaders or pastors of a local church perform baptism. They’ll be happy to speak with you about baptism if you express your genuine interest.
4. Build strong friendships with other Christians. The Christian life is designed to be shared and enjoyed with others. Jesus treated His 12 disciples as His closest friends. Likewise, He calls us to live in community with one another. The New Testament has more than 50 “one another” verses that talk about loving, serving, encouraging, and praying for one another. Each verse requires relationships with other Christians.
Fellowship with other believers is one of the purposes of a local church. Find a Bible-teaching church within your area as it is a great place to get involved. If you live in a community without a church, pray for God to open opportunities for you to meet other Christians.
5. Help others. As you begin your new life as a Christian, you’ll find a new and deep love inside you, which develops a desire to help others. The Holy Spirit will teach and guide you on your journey. You may assist a neighbor with heavy housework, visit a sick friend in the hospital, or serve the poor in your community. The Holy Spirit will call you to show God’s love (1 John 3: 17-18).
6. Tell someone about your new faith. Becoming a Christian is not a secret; it’s a celebration! Tell everyone who’ll listen about Christ’s work in your life. Before you know it, others will come to faith in Jesus through your example. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His disciples to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28: 18-20). Today, Christians are still called to share the hope within us with others (1 Peter 3: 15-16).
These are simply helpful tips on how to grow in your new faith; these are not requirements to become a Christian or to stay a Christian. You’ve been saved by grace through faith, apart from any works of your own (Ephesians 2: 8-9). God began the work in you, and He promises to finish it (Philippians 1: 6). Find a great church, read your Bible and pray daily.
