MASSENA BAPTIST CHURCH
Becoming a Christian is the most important decision anyone can ever make!
The Bible tells us:
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God loves you. 1 John 4:10
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Sin separates you from God.
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Sin is choosing my way instead of God's way.
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Sin separates people from God. Romans 3:23
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God sent Jesus so you would not have to die for your sin. Jesus died on the cross, He was buried, and He rose from the dead. John 3:16
How to Become a Christian
A—ADMIT
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Admit to God that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).
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Repent, turning away from your sin
(Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
B—BELIEVE
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Believe that Jesus is God's Son and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin (Romans 5:8; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:11-13).
C—CONFESS
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Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior & Lord (Romans 10:9,10,13).
It's as easy as ABC! If you have made this life-changing decision, we want to know!
What is the purpose of believer's baptism since salvation is "by grace through faith"- Ephesians 2:8,9?
Baptism is the perfect symbol of death, burial and resurrection. It is the outward testimony of the believer's inward faith; you are "crucified" (standing), you are "buried" (immersed), and you are "resurrected" (raised out of the water).
A sinner is saved the moment he places his faith in Jesus, and baptism by immersion is the visible testimony to that faith.
Why do we observe the Lord's Supper (or Communion)?
At the Last Supper Jesus shared a meal with His disciples and then led them in the ancient observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, or Passover. Jesus used this opportunity to plant an important memory in His disciples. Jesus shared this meal for their benefit and for ours. As Jesus raised the bread and the cup in thanksgiving, He added new significance to this ancient ritual. Luke 22 records that Jesus told His disciples to observe the Passover "in remembrance of me."
As today's disciples, we observe the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ. Some congregations refer to this ordinance as the Memorial Supper to highlight the significance of Christ's atoning work on the cross and to call believers to remember His sacrificial death. Others call it Communion to highlight the believer's intimacy with Christ. Whatever we call this observance, one thing is clear: It is a time to remember.
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The elements used in the Supper are not the real body and blood of Jesus but are powerful symbols that cause us to remember that Jesus really did suffer and die in a real, historical time and place.
When we gather around the Lord's table, the elements speak to us of His sacrifice, His substitution, and our salvation. We celebrate our redemption in remembrance of Him.
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Observing the Lord's Supper carries personal significance because Jesus calls us to remember that He gave His body "for you." It also carries personal responsibility for us to participate with reverence, humility, and sincerity, understanding and proclaiming Christ's great act of love. Paul said that our observance of the Lord's Supper is to be done to help us to remember Christ. Perhaps we are never more the church, the bride of Christ, than when we gather at the table to worship by remembering Him. May we never forget.