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“I recently accepted Jesus as my savior. What are the next things should I do?”

Thank you for the question. I am so glad you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and welcome to God’s household. This is a miraculous work that God accomplished in you to become a child of God by believing in Christ as your savior. Congratulations.

Now I want to suggest you few points so that you can grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

First, start reading the Bible.

You can go to a website and read Bible on line. Biblegateway.com is a good on line Bible website. However, I really prefer you to have a Bible in your hand. There are several different translations of the Bible available now. All are good translations and faithfully translated from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. You can select one that is easy for you to read and understand. Some of the good translations include New King James Version, New American Standard Bible version, New International version and Revised standard version. If possible, try to get a study Bible. Study Bible has study notes on almost all pages of the Bible which can help you understand the important passages. If you are unable to get a Bible, please let us know by going to contact/prayer tab in www.teachbible.org. I would recommend you to start reading the Gospel of John which is one of the Gospels in the New Testament section of the Bible. Or you can read one of any other four Gospels. Gospels helps you to read the words and actions of Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, start praying to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer is simply talking to your father in heaven. He loves you and saved you, right? And now He is eager to listen to your prayers. Therefore, talk to him. Give Him thanks for saving you, forgiving you, giving you eternal life in heaven. When you accepted Christ Jesus as your savior, God granted you eternal life. The moment you die, you will be transferred to heaven and you will spend eternity in heaven with God and Jesus Christ. Bible talks about the assurance of your salvation. He will never cancel your salvation. You are saved for ever and you are guaranteed eternal life in heaven. This is the promise of God in the Bible. Amazing and wonderful blessings you received and therefore thank God.

You can pray to God for your daily needs, about your fears and worries. Jesus taught disciples a model prayer when they asked to teach them to pray. This is in in Mathew 6:9-13 and in other Gospels. When I pray, I usually start like this- “My Father in heaven.” Then I will say thank you for His blessings in my life. I praise Him. This is how I start my prayer with thanks giving and praises. Then I pray to lead me in His will and plans every day because His plans are the best plans for your life. After that, I pray to give me my daily needs. Say all your needs to God.  He wants to hear from you all your needs. I pray to protect me so that I won’t sin against Him. I pray to deliver me from the evil one and wicked people. I pray to guard me safe today. Then after submitting all my needs, problems, worries and fears and praise Him again and thank Him for hearing my prayer. Then I will end my prayer by saying something like this, “I pray all these in the name of Jesus Christ, my savior”.

This is just a model prayer that Jesus taught the disciples but you are free to use your own words and styles in your prayer.  You can pray for more things or different things as well. You can pray for other people’s needs. It is called intercessory prayer-praying for others. You can pray for your spouse, children, family and other people who are in need of your prayers. The most important thing is you pray and talk to God.

Thirdly, locate a Bible teaching and Bible preaching church in your area.

 A church and other believers in Christ are essential for your spiritual growth. Jesus said “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). Christian Church is Christ’s enterprises and He is building it in this world. By becoming a member of a local church, you are allowing yourself to be a part of God’s work in our lifetime.

Fourthly, obey the Lord in water baptism and Lord’s Supper.

Water baptism is a commandment of the Lord. (Matthew 28:20 and several other passages in the Bible). When you connect with a Church the leaders of the Church will be happy to help you to obey this commandment. Please tell them I want to obey the Lord in waters of Baptism and they will arrange an occasion for you. Similarly, there is a second ordinance or commandment. This is the observance of the Lord’s table. (Luke 22:15-20).  In observing the Lord’s table, a local church as whole is remembering the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that the Lord is risen and He will come back to take us home with Him. In other words, this is a remembrance time of what the Lord has done for us. This is a time to give the Lord our worship and thanks giving for his sacrificial death, burial and resurrection for our sake.  You can ask your local church how often they observe the Lord’s table. More often is better. The Church in the first century after the ascension of Christ, observed Lord’s table on every 1^st day of the week, Sunday, per Acts 20:7

Fifthly, Join a Bible study group to study Bible on an going basis.

Your local church will have serious Bible study sessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in the Lord and in the Bible. Now you are new child of God and He want you to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bible gives you the spiritual food for your spiritual growth and strength like natural food makes you grow and strong physically. Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” The Word of God- Bible- is the pure milk that will make you grow spiritually. A new born believer in Christ, should desire to study the Word of God-Bible- like a newborn baby.

Sixthly, Share the same message of the good news you accepted to others.

You can share the Gospel which is the good news to family members, friends, neighbors and others. God want to use you to reach out to others so that they can also become the children of God and go and spend eternity in heaven with God. Romans 1:17 says Gospel is a dynamite which has super power in it. It can change the hearts of any man. It says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Seventhly, Help others and obey the commandments the Lord gave us.

There are so many people who need to love and help of us around us. God loved us and gave His only Son for our sins. We can freely give and help others. This way we can model Christ in our lives. You can help other ministries, evangelists and missionaries as well, if you are financially able to help. God uses you and your resources along with all other children of God’s resources for the furtherance of His kingdom work in this world. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16). Bible promises you will be rewarded when you help others who are in need and when you help Christian ministries. God will never forget the good works we have done for Him and He will faithfully reward you. When He rewards you, it will be much more than you ever expected or imagined. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24). Bible also reminds us,“ He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20).

Eighthly, Ask God forgiveness when you know did something wrong.

A child of God lives in this sin bound world and mingle with other sinful people. Chances are you will make mistakes and possibly sin. But when that happens remember to ask God forgiveness. Never go to bed without seeking Lord’s forgiveness when you become aware that you did something wrong. Remember Bible says 1 John 1:8-10, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”  But when we agree with Him and confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive all our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

Ninthly, Understand Christian life is not rosy all the time.

Jesus Himself said in this world we will face various trails, persecutions and sufferings. A believer in Christ is not exempt from all these problems. A truly converted Christian’s life is not exempt from problems. In fact, as followers of Christ, we may have to encounter more trials and testing in this world. Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Jesus also promised His peace and presence in the midst of our trials and problems.  Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). Bible reminds us, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:29). Keep this truth in your heart as you grow in Christ Jesus.

Tenthly, A final note: Remember you are saved by grace through faith in Christ and works are not reason for your salvation.

Now, please understand the above ten points are not intended to show any requirements from your part. You are saved by grace, by faith in the Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. Bible clearly says you are not saved by any works. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8. However, the above seven steps can help you to grow spiritually, to know the Lord more intimately and to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

But when you became a child of God, you are God’s handiwork, created new in Christ Jesus to do good works. Bible says God already prepared in advance the good works you would do in His name. So fulfill God’s works and plan for your life. (Ephesians 2:10).