HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Have you ever wondered what it means to become a Christian?

Maybe there are things in your life that don’t seem to be going very well, and you’ve tried lots of solutions, but none seems to work. Everyone has questions about their own lives. If you haven’t found answers that work for you, why not listen to what God has to say?

God’s Word has the answers that are grounded in truth and love. Jesus has answers to problems just like the ones you face every day.

See what God’s Word has to say about these questions and issues…

Are you searching for a way to provide for a secure future? The way of man stores up treasures, things like money, stocks & bonds, retirement plans, and insurance policies, to provide for their security during their golden years. God says that our security for the future doesn’t rest in earthly treasures.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.” Matthew 6: 19-21

While these earthly things can bring you financial security, they cannot provide security for your heart and soul. God wants you to trust Jesus for your security. This is what He has to say about a righteous man.

“His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” Psalm 112:8

You are made righteous through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because Jesus took your place in payment for your sin, you have the blessed hope of a secure future.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

Jesus loves you and He wants you to have a secure future through a personal relationship with Him.

Click here to find out how to accept the freely offered gift of eternal life that Jesus has waiting just for you.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re all alone in the world? Do you wish there was someone who really cared about you? Someone you could ALWAYS count on? – NO MATTER WHAT!

God tells you that good friends are very important…

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

But even close friends and family let us down sometimes. God says that you have one friend that will NEVER let you down.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

You don’t need to be afraid when you’re feeling alone, or things are not going well for you. Jesus is there for you ALL the time.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Jesus wants to be your friend — ALL the time — EVERY time.

Click here to find out how to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus by accepting His freely offered gift of eternal life.

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. That one thing is sin.The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. 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. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.People tend to divide themselves into groups – good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.

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

Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don’t seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there’s nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment – the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can’t make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:5

It’s God’s grace that allows you to come to Him – not your efforts to “clean up your life” or work your way to Heaven. You can’t earn it. It’s a free 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 you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God’s gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you 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

Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God’s offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is “repentance” – to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God’s.All that’s left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.

“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

God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let’s review what this commitment involves:I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior – this is to repent or turn away from sinI believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead – this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sinsI confess Jesus as my Lord and my God – this is to surrender control of my life to JesusI receive Jesus as my Savior forever – this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promisedIf it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:

Here’s a Suggested Prayer:”Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”

If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know. We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually.If you have questions or concerns you would like help with, please call or write and let us know. We’re here to help you understand the love that Jesus is offering you for free, no matter who or where you are. 

Come and be a part of our family at First Baptist Church in Laurel.

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Fill out the form below and a staff member will contact you about your visit.  We will be happy to meet you at the Welcome Center when you arrive.  You can also call the church at 601.649.5710.  We look forward to seeing you.