Becoming a Christian

We broke it.

You’re not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. Sin.

Most simply, sin is our tendency to want to live life on our own terms instead of God's terms. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. It is a condition that has infected us all.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Jesus fixed it.

It’s God’s love and grace that allows us to come to Him – not our efforts to “clean up your life” or work our way to Heaven. We can’t earn it. It’s a gift.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

For us to come to God, the penalty for our sin must be paid. Jesus paid the debt for us when he died on the cross.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Receive the gift.

Jesus loves us so much he paid the price for our sin by giving His life on a cross. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The word for this is “repentance”.

All that’s left for you to do is to accept the gift.

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Start over again.

Here’s a Suggested Prayer:

“Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I don't deserve saving. But, I believe you died and came back to life to make me a new creation and to prepare me for eternity with you. I want to stop living life on my own terms and start living on your terms, in daily relationship with you. Please forgive my sins, and save me. Teach me what it means to live every day in your love and grace.  I place my trust in you.”

If you've made a decision to pray this prayer, please let us know! We want to celebrate what God has done in your life and help you grow spiritually.

Here are three next steps for you to take:

1. Come to church. By hearing from God's Word and spending time in community, you can begin to explore the claims of Jesus. 

2. Get a Bible and start reading. We suggest a New Living Translation (NLT) or a New International Version Bible (NIV), and start in the New Testament in the book of Matthew or Mark. If you don't own a Bible, please stop at our Blue Information Pop-Up Tent next Sunday and pick one up. It's our gift to you!

3. Be baptized. Baptism is a symbolic way to declare your faith publicly and an act of obedience, demonstrating our trust in God. Once you've accepted the gift of salvation, you are ready to be baptized. Please email info@hopesb.com so we can walk you through the baptism process. You can also find out more about baptism at Hope by reading this.