Is something missing in your life, a void that you can’t explain or fill? The only way to true satisfaction and peace is to experience God's grace in your life.
At New
Salem Baptist Church, we believe that the purpose of the Bible is to
communicate God’s desire for us to know him personally. We believe that there
is only one way for us to be made right with God and that is through Jesus
Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sins. Being a Christian means
that you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind and salvation.
Consider the following Biblical truths:
GOD IS SOVEREIGN CREATOR
In this contemporary world, many believe that man is the product of evolution.
However, the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve and
enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals that it was Jesus
Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also
owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). This means He has authority over our
lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience and worship.
GOD IS HOLY
God is absolutely, completely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16 says, “ You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
MANKIND IS SINFUL
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does
not sin” (Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we are incapable of performing acts of
human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving or
pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
SIN DEMANDS A PENALTY
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by spiritual death
(Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve
our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
JESUS IS LORD AND SAVIOR
As Creator of all, and Ruler over all, Jesus Christ has authority over our
lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience and worship. Romans 10:9
says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in you heart that
God raised from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God’s justice
demanded death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and
died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s
justice and Christ’s perfect gift satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2
Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place
their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
THE CHARACTER OF SAVING FAITH
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance means agreeing
with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a
conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and
pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John 2:3).
It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his
demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and obey Him.
True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10). Salvation is available only through God’s free grace, not as
result of our human effort. We can access God’s grace through faith alone. God saves you by His grace when you believe. You can’t take
credit for it; it’s a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good
things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
So you realized that you want to be saved, now what? Start by praying this prayer:
Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now
and ask you to take control of my life. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. Amen.
If you have questions about what it means to become a follower of Jesus Christ, we would love to talk to you! Please see Pastor Chris Gambos or contact us.