Starting the Journey

That you’ve chosen to explore this link indicates that you’re interested in a personal and vital relationship to God. This is great! This is the first step on the way to a wonderful life with Christ.

Below, you’ll find the process that can help you know about yourself and the God who loves you. You will also see the steps that you can go through on your way to a personal commitment to following Christ as a believer.

This page doesn’t answer all the questions that people have about faith. To deal with deeper issues, please feel free to contact us here at Spencer Baptist. Any of our ministers or members will be glad to help you.

Our prayer is that God will give you guidance and encouragement as you continue your walk toward faith.

What is a Christian?

The simplest definition is this: A Christian is a person who believes that Jesus lived, died and rose again for his or her life and seeks to follow Christ in life.

Why become a Christian?

First, becoming a follower of Christ provides us forgiveness for our spiritual failures. The Bible calls this “sin.” A Christian trusts in Jesus’ atoning death on the cross as the spiritual act through which God offers us forgiveness and freedom from our sinful nature. This freedom from sin allows us to be free from guilt and shame. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

Second, a follower of Christ receives the promise that Jesus will be with us through life. Often, we think of Christian faith only in terms of what happens after we die. But the Bible teaches us that we don’t have to wait until death to receive the benefits of faith. Christ becomes part of our life right now when we follow Him. He gives us comfort in times of struggles, guidance when we make decisions, joy in our daily experiences, hope during the hard times, peace in times of anxiety and a sense of purpose for our daily living. John 10:10 says, “Jesus came to give us ‘abundant life.’"

Third, the follower of Jesus receives the gift of eternal life. Often the thought of death and what happens afterwards creates fear and uncertainty. But with Jesus in our life we can face death with great confidence because when we die we go immediately to live with Christ in Heaven. The wonderful words of our Savior says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

How do I become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian involves a simple but profound personal response to God’s unfailing love.

In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son (Jesus), so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life." It’s as simple as that. God loves us and gave his son Jesus for us so we can believe and receive the gift of salvation. That’s the beginning of following Jesus, knowing of His tremendous and sacrificial love for us.

Becoming a Christian means we realize our failure to follow God’s will and His way.

No one lives up to the standard that God has set for us. We fail in the decisions we make, the lifestyles we choose, the habits we develop, and the paths we take. No matter how good we may think we are, we still fall miserable short before God. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Sin is a choice. We can choose to follow Christ or we can choose to follow our own way. Choosing our own way is called “sin.” That's why we so desperately need God’s love. Out of His love for us, God sent his Son to pay the price for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18 says, "Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He died in order to bring us to God.” Romans 5: 8 says, “God demonstrated his love for us, because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Becoming a Christian means we place our faith in God’s victory over sin and the grave.

Although Jesus died on the cross, the power of God conquered death when Jesus rose from the grave after three days - just as He said he would. As incredible as this sounds, by faith we believe this to be true. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:4, “Christ was buried. But He was raised from the dead three days later.”

What does God ask us to do ?

• · God asks us to admit (confess) our sin and our need of forgiveness.
• · God asks us to repent of our sin (turn in remorse) and start to live in a new way.
• · God asks us to accept the gift of Christ’s death on the cross for our sin.
• · God asks us to believe that Jesus rose from the grave.
• · Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your voice that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
• · God asks us to seek Him daily and allow Christ to control our lives.

If you feel you are ready to make a commitment to follow Jesus, you might pray a prayer like this:

Lord Jesus, I know I’ve fallen short of your ways. I’ve sinned against you and others. I want freedom from my sin, my guilt, and my shame. I ask you to forgive me of my sin. I believe that your Son Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe that he rose from the dead to show His power over sin and the grave. I choose to make Christ today as Lord of my life. I ask Christ to come into my life and heart, to take leadership over my mind, my body, my heart. I give you my life now. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

If you pray a prayer similar to the one above, we’d love to know about it and seek to help you as you begin your journey with Christ. Email us, call us, write us and let us know how we can help you as you begin your spiritual journey .

May God give you grace and be with you always.