Msg #2309 Five First Basic Steps

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

For a new convert I like to mention five things that should be a new priority in their new lives. I have found their mention helpful to us old crusty converts as well. If you were never a new convert to Christ, I’ll have to say you are not a convert at all, and Jesus said, “Verily I say onto you, Except ye be converted,… Ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.18:3). Once in the kingdom of heaven one should regularly read their Bible. It was the quick and powerful, inspired Word that brought you to conversion, keep reading (2Tim.2:15, 3:15–17, Heb.4:12). Second, one should pray, supplicate, and give thanks daily (Phil.4:6–7). Your call to God in prayer secured your conversion (Rom.10:9–10), keep talking to him. Third, you should tell someone what happened on this day that you were converted to Christ. Converts are to be his witnesses (Jn.20:21, Acts1:8, Isa.43:10,12,44:8). Fourth, a true convert needs to gather with other true converts. We edify one another, and need to be in a Bible believing, Bible preaching, Biblically functioning church (Heb.10:23–25). Fifth a true convert is to follow the Lord in public believers baptism, and then regularly be present at the Lord's table to publicly observe communion. These are two ordinances of the local church. They are not sacraments, there is no magical or mystical aspect to these ordinances, they are a convert's initial public admission, before God and everybody, that they are born–again, blood–bought, redeemed to God through Christ, converts. And the Lord’s table observance is a public testimony declaring, I am still in perfect communion with my Lord and Savior, and in sweet communion with these believers, in this local church. Both baptism and communion are ordinances administered by the local Bible believing church. These are basics.

An Essay for week #9 - Feb 26, 2023

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs230226.mp3

A Holy Land Tour Journaled at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22

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