The Good News
The Good News
2,000 years ago 500 eyes witnessed a man being crucified on a cross by the roman soldiers and religious leaders. He died for each and everyone of us. While we were living in a life of sin and unworthy of his love, he was brutally killed. His name was Jesus, and he lived a perfect life. He took upon himself the punishment we deserved, bridging the gap between a holy God and a fallen humanity. After 3 days of death through his resurrection, he offers us the promise of new hope, of forgiveness, and of eternal life. All he calls us to do is believe in Him.
How do I believe?
To believe means you accept that Jesus died on the cross to defeat sin and death so that we may enter into heaven through his spirit (by his blood). Once you have accepted Jesus’ words, death, and story, the path of righteousness begins. The holy spirit now lives in you. Let it lead you in love and goodness. The bible is the living word and is the most trustworthy way that God speaks to us. The more time we spend reading the bible, the better we understand our father in heaven.
What should I do next?
Now that you have Jesus in your heart, there are many things he calls us to do:
Reading
- There are many books that have been written over thousands of years. Each book was written by the spirit of God through many different authors. When you put all of these books together they end up telling one massive story, with the climax being the life of Christ. This one true book is called the bible. It’s the living word that speaks into the life of every person that reads it. When we read the bible we gain wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God. By reading the bible, Christians gain a deeper understanding of God’s character, His love for us, and His plans for us. The bible also teaches us how to live in accordance with God’s will, how to love others, and how to grow in our faith.
Prayer
- Prayer is super important because it is the primary way to have direct communication with God. It allows believers to open up and express their gratitude, feelings, struggles and desires to God, as well as listen for God’s guidance, direction, and wisdom. Through prayer, Christians develop a personal relationship with God, and are able to deepen their faith and trust in Him. Also, through prayer with faith, God answers our requests and questions if according to His will. It’s like having a heart-to-heart conversation with the closest friend you could ever have.
Community
- Community is essential for Christians because it provides them with support, encouragement, and accountability in their walk with God. Having a community and a strong group of believers that you can go to or talk to throughout the week is very important. When we gather as a group, our praise and prayers become even stronger. As Christians we have to keep each other accountable and encourage one another to stay rooted in Christ, constantly learning and helping those around us. The world is against us with the power of Satan trying to tear us down, so having a place to go when we feel weak, ashamed, or attacked will strengthen us. The best ways to get involved in a community are by gathering in a local church, community bible studies, and even making friends of the faith.
Baptism
- Through baptism, believers publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, repentance from sin, and their desire to live a new life in obedience to God. It serves as a visible and tangible expression of spiritual rebirth, symbolizing the washing away of sin and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Baptism is often seen as a means of receiving the holy spirit and being incorporated into the body of Christ, the Church. Ultimately, baptism marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to following Jesus and growing in relationship with Him.
- Jesus calls for everyone to be born of water and spirit. In the event of being baptized, you are visually preaching the gospel. As you stand in the water waiting to be baptized, first, you symbolize Jesus dying on the cross. Second, you symbolize Jesus being buried in the tomb as you are lowered into the water. As you are raised from the water, you symbolize Jesus rising from the dead.