What advice would you give to a new believer in Jesus?
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What advice would you give to a new believer in Jesus?
jessie1 on March 31, 2014 at 3:02 pm
My advice would be to stick with the basics at first. There are many things one encounters in the Bible that at times may seem unexpected or contradictory in nature. These things will sort themselves out in time. I guess the most important thing is to find a spiritual leader you trust and respect to guide you through your start as a Christian. Starting out with proper guidance is key to a good foundation to your faith. God Bless, Jessie
Tom Felten on April 1, 2014 at 8:19 am
Good thoughts, Jessie. Yes, the basics of the gospel are essential, along with the basics of the spiritual discipline—spending time in prayer, reading God’s Word, and enjoying fellowship with other believers.
redwaterlily on April 1, 2014 at 12:31 pm
This topic is so dear to me. As someone who came to Christ only two years ago a lot of the responses to this question on the Facebook page did not resonate with me. The best you can do is talk in plain English and without Bible quoting about what God means to you and why…your reasons and yours only. Nothing regurgitated and sterilized. What I wanted to do most back then is have people tell me about God and Jesus in a way I could understand and without Christian “jargon” and cliches.
Tom Felten on April 2, 2014 at 11:17 am
redwaterlily, it can be so powerful when people simply share what God has done in their lives. What a wonderful way to point others to God and His life-changing Word! Thanks sor sharing.
jessie1 on April 1, 2014 at 8:05 pm
This is to redwaterlily. You couldn’t be more insightful. Giving Bible verses to guide a new believer could not be more off-putting. I find that in many cases people who give Bible quotes as an answer to a question are taking the easy way out. I am by no means inferring that this person you are referring to is doing this. But in some cases it shows the person did not do enough of their own thinking on a subject before giving a response. I find it too formal a behavior in Christianity. I was fortunate enough to have a grandmother (Jessie) who taught me to have a less formal, more genuine and real relationship with God. When I pray, for example, I speak to God like you would speak to a real wonderful Father. I actually have an informal conversation with the respect due to Him. I am 52 years old, and have yet to really speak disrespectfully to my earthly father. And trust me, he was less than an ideal father in my youth. Stay true to your heart and trust your instincts. God will not fail you. God Bless, Jessie
daisymarygoldr on April 5, 2014 at 12:59 pm
The Bible offers some good advice to new believers.
The moment you received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are born into the family of God. So, like newborn babies, you must hunger for pure spiritual milk of the Word, so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment (1Peter 2:2)
Milk refers to the basic teachings of Christ (Hebrews 5:12- 6:2). As an infant in Christ, you need to have a sound understanding about repenting from sins, placing your faith in God, baptism, the laying on of hands, receiving the Holy Spirit, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
Journal your spiritual-birth experience. Write down the date, place and especially the scripture or Bible passage that led you to Christ. Share this with other Christians to tell about your life before Christ and your new identity in Jesus Christ. In Acts 22: 6- 16, Paul told others of his conversion. As a child after accepting Christ, I stood in front of hundreds in church and gave my testimony.
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. When you proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ, be prepared for your faith to be tested. It is to test your trust in God. Even Jesus was tested. To pass the test, you need to know God by diligently studying His Word. Regular Bible reading and praying will enable you to develop a personal relationship with Him. Seek the fellowship of strong believers and follow their examples of exercising faith. This will help you remain faithful to God throughout the fiery testing of your faith.
Once your faith has been proved to be genuine, God will equip and use you to accomplish His purposes of saving others. On your part, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Keep growing in faith by adding moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love for everyone. “Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1: 3-11)