THE NEXT STEP

Now that you've accepted Christ as your Saviour
you are probably thinking, "Now what?"

 Well, on this page you will find some answers, guidelines, instructions, and hints to help you along the way. I've also included some little tips and quotes that, though they may be short and simple, are sometimes filled with great wisdom.

Please don't think this is a complete list. It would probably take the rest of my life to compile one. It is just something to get you started and get you pointed in the right direction. If you have questions that aren't answered here feel free to email me and I'll try my best to help you out.

Abbreviations used throughout this page:
(KJ) = King James Version      (NIV) = New International Version     (LB) = Living Bible

Just what did happen?

The moment you accepted Christ His Holy Spirit came to dwell in you and He will never leave you.
He will always be there to help you and teach you.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13: 5 (NIV)

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things..." John 14: 26    (NIV)

You became a new person. You are now a child of God, you have been "reborn" into His family.
Your body is the temple of God, and you are His forever.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new."
2 Corinthians 5: 17    (NIV)

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become the children of God." John 1: 12    (NIV)

"...For we are the temple of the Living God..." 2 Corinthians 6: 16 (NIV)

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch
them out of my hand." John 10: 28    (NIV)

One of the first things you need to do is start reading the Bible daily:

 If you don't have one, get one. I recommend the New International Version. It is one of the more easy to understand versions and is accurate.  The Bible is God's Word.  You will need it to learn about Jesus - who He was, and what He did and still does for us. From it you will learn what God expects of you and it will give you instruction, comfort, and guidance.  You will also find history as well as future events.

You will also need it to know if you are being given correct information.  You can't always trust what people say, not even everyone who professes to be a Christian.  Don't take another person's word on an issue - not even mine - look it up for yourself.  When you read your Bible ask the Lord for understanding.

 

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word.... I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." 
  Psalm 119: 9, 11  (NIV)

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2: 15 (KJ)

You also need to pray regularly:

Talk to Jesus as if He were your friend, after all, He is.  Ask Him to help you with whatever you need, even prayer. He will help you, in fact, He's waiting to hear from you.  He knows your every thought and feeling so you don't need to hide anything from Him. If you find you are having trouble with this try setting an empty chair next to you and imagine Him sitting right there with you.

Prayer is vital.  It is to the new life within you what breath is to the body.  Pour out your soul to the Lord, but don't be in a rush, allow time for Him to answer.The best part of prayer is His part.

1 Thessalonians 5: 17      "Pray without ceasing." (KJ)     "Pray continually." (NIV)

"Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes."  Luke 18: 1 (LB)

Prayer will strengthen you:
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31  (KJ)

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, the Christian's native air.
His watchword at the gates of death - He enters Heaven with prayer.
- -  James Montgomery

You need to be obedient!

You have responsibilities. God expects you to learn and obey His commands.

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching."
John 14: 15, 21, & 23    (NIV)

"All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock."
Matthew 7: 24    (LB)

This might mean you have to make some major changes in your life and in your lifestyle. But He doesn't expect you to do this alone, He will always be right there with you, helping you every step of the way. He will give you the strength and courage you need.

"For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey Him, and then helping you do what He wants." Philippians 2: 13    (LB)

"For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."
Philippians 4: 13    (LB)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah 41: 10    (NIV)

God never permits any of His children to come up a steep hill
along life's pathway without having provided at the foot of the hill
a cooling spring from which the traveler may drink in
refreshment and strength, ere he begins to climb.
He climbs beside you; lean upon Him!
From: Springs in the Valley

As soon as possible find a church home, and be baptized.

 If you don't have a church find one, join it and attend regularly. Pray about your choice of churches because they are not all the same.  You should look for one that is spiritual; upholding Christ, the Bible, and a full and free salvation, obedient to God's Word, and useful; spreading the Word to the community. Don't let anyone convince you that you don't need to attend church or to postpone it.  You need to be fed spiritually, and you need the fellowship of other Christians.

"Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near."  Hebrews 10: 25 (LB)

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18: 20  (NIV)

Read the New Testament scriptures on the subject of water baptism and then ask your pastor to baptize you.  Baptism is an outward declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and it signifies your willing obedience to the Word of God.

Jesus said to His disciples, 'Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of he Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,"  Matthew 28: 19  (KJ)

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Keep your eyes on Christ:

Don't make the mistake of watching others, even the best Christian you know can greatly disappoint you or lead you in the wrong direction. Look only at Jesus - His example is the one to follow.

"Be ye holy; for I am holy."  1 Peter 1: 16  (KJ)

The chorus of an old hymn goes like this:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

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Finally:

Keep on growing, keep on searching His Word, keep on believing. There will be times when things seem too hard to bear but don't let Satan discourage you.  Just keep praying and trusting in Jesus. There may be things and even friends that you will need to give up or stay away from.  There may be changes in your lifestyle that you will need to make. Pray and ask Jesus to help you to do this - He will, He loves you.

Tell others of your newfound faith in Christ.
Sharing is one of the best ways to learn and grow.