Three Priorities Of A New Believer Three Vital Steps to Spiritual Maturity

Confess Christ “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 Confessing Christ with the mouth is a consequence that follows believing on Him in our heart.

Receive “Believer’s Baptism” There are different purposes of baptism: Ceremonial Cleansing A ritual cleansing from defilement of sin John the Baptist, baptism of repentance Believer’s baptism

The Scripural Mode of Baptism IMMERSION is the scriptural mode of baptism. Founders and scholars of may Christian denominations agree John Calvin – Martin Luther – Cardinal Farley

A Physical Illustration of A Spiritual Reality “…so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body..” 1st Corinthians 12:12a

Unite With A New Testament Church To receive, Teaching Example Love Support Ministry and opportunity to serve

Members Of A Local Church 28 Times members are exhorted to: “love one another” “be kind to one another” “Be tenderhearted toward one another “Encourage one another “Bear one another’s burdens”

The Church Is An Assembly The church is not a building or a large religious organization or denomination. God chose a Greek word meaning “called out ones” A church is an assembled body of believers who confess Christ as their Savior

The Church As Man Sees It A local, visible church is made up of believers who fulfill the Biblical purposes of the church Do not have to belong to a large organization or denomination Do not have to have a building

The Church as God Sees It He sees the church in its entirety From the first believers at Pentecost To the last believer of the church age Every believer called out of the world into God’s assembly.

Symbols of the Church The body of Christ - The bride of Christ A flock - God’s husbandry A new man - The Temple of God An habitation of God - House of God Pillar and ground of the truth

God’s Revealed Esteem for the Church Christ is the Founder and Builder The Church is God’s Possession The Church is the Pillar and Ground of the Truth Churches are the Focus of Christ’s Concern

Three Vital Steps To Maturity 1. Confessing Christ as Savior 2. Follow His example in believer’s baptism 3. Becoming a part of a New Testament church The foundation for a victorious Christian