How to Know God

You can know your sins are forgiven and you are going to Heaven. You can have the emptiness in your life filled and have your guilt taken away.  How?  Keep reading to learn!

Admit you're not perfect.   We have not lived up to our own expectations for ourselves let alone God*s plans for our life.  The Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  -  Romans 3:23
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  -  John 1:9

Turn to God.
There is nothing you can do to make God love you more than He does right now.  He is your heavenly Father.  You must repent of your sin. To repent means to turn around, to change one's direction. The Bible tells us, "Repent and be converted that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."  -  Acts 3:18-20

Invite Jesus into your life and be baptized.
You must believe in and receive Jesus Christ. The Bible promises, "For as many as received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God."  -  John 1:12   Even as you read this, Jesus is standing at the door of your life and asking for admittance Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in."  Revelation 3:20

                                                                                                  WHAT EXACTLY IS BAPTISM?
The word "baptism" as it appears in the Bible means immersion.  This is the process of going down in water followed by coming up out of the water. The following examples from the Bible support that conclusion:  "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water."  -  Matthew 3:16   "Then Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..."  -  Acts 8: 37-38

                                                                                         WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM?
Baptism is the outward expression of the inward miracle.  It is a visible, physical expression of what is happening inside spiritually.  "Don't you know all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."  -  Romans 6:3 (see also Colossians 2:1)

We are identifying with Jesus' experience and demonstrating outwardly in our baptism that:
a) We are dying to our old life and the ways of sin.
b) We are burying that old life of sin.
c) We rise to live the new life.

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."  -  Galatians 3:27.

We are demonstrating by our baptism that we are:
a) Taking off the old clothes of our sinful nature and lifestyle.
b) Putting on new clothes of Jesus' nature and lifestyle.

We take Jesus' values and His priorities.  We surrender to Jesus' way.  We make Him Lord of our lives, as well as Savior.  That means I am no longer the boss of my life - Jesus is.  "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  -  Galatians 2:20

                                                                                               WHY SHOULD  I BE  BAPTIZED?

Because Jesus was baptized.  "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”  But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from Heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  -  Matthew 3:13-17.

Because Jesus commanded it.  After His resurrection and before His ascension to Heaven, Jesus left these final directions to His followers (including us):  "All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  -  Matthew 28:18-20.  See also Mark 16:15,16.

Because baptism was a major part of every conversion experience recorded in the book of Acts (the record of the actions and beliefs of the first Christians and the first churches).

The first Christians baptized.
a. Groups of people in Acts 2:41; 8:12                                                                                                                             b. Paul in Acts 8:34-39; 9:18; 22:11-16
c. Cornelius in Acts 10:47, 48
d. Lydia and her household in Acts 16:1 3-15
e. Philippian jailer and his household in Acts 16:33,3
f. Corinthians in Acts 18:8
g. Ephesians in Acts 19:5

Although each situation varied in some aspects, all who were baptized expressed belief in Jesus and were baptized immediately.  We are saying baptism is a part of becoming a Christian.  We are not saying you are lost without baptism.  However, according to the Scriptural examples, baptism is a part of one's conversion experience.  It is a way to witness to others of your belief in Christ and your resulting commitment.  Though it may seem scary to be involved in such a public act of surrender, it translates into a powerful witness to all who view it.

                                                                            HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN l AM READY TO BE BAPTIZED?

YOU ARE READY TO BE BAPTIZED:
a) When you believe Jesus is the Son of God and you want to receive Jesus as your Savior.
b) When you are ready to repent of your sins and try to turn your life around.
c) When you are ready to put your past behind and put your life in Jesus' hands.  Read Acts Colossians 3:5-10, John 1:12,13.

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZE ME?
Any Christian can have the privilege of baptizing another.  It would be appropriate for the Christian who led you to belief in Christ, the Christian who is a great influence in your life, the Christian whom you greatly respect, or the pastor who is available to baptize you.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE?
a) Respond to the invitation in any of our services by coming forward at the end of the service.
b) You will talk to a minister about the decision you wish to make and will fill out an information card
c) You will be baptized as soon as possible.
d) You will be given information about what you need to do to become a member of Sunrise Christian Church. 

You've got nothing to lose...and everything to gain!