Salvation

“But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

SalvationDeciding to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ is the greatest decision you can make in your life. The Christian faith is challenged daily and some have become discouraged by the negative publicity of some prominent Christian leaders and/or the lack of empowerment of Christian followers.

Making the decision to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and excepting him as your savior by confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord and allowing the Spirit of God to rule and reign in your life is a personal and life changing decision.

Jesus said, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life” (Common English Bible, John 10:10). He also said, I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest” (John 10:10).

LIFE is what you are given by accepting Christ as your savior and following the teachings of Christ, so take the next step and begin your journey with Jesus.

STEPS TO SALVATION:

  1.  Admit Your Need
    Loving and merciful God, I admit that I have separated myself from you and have not acknowledged the power of the Holy Spirit within me. I also acknowledge that I am in need of You.
  2. Turn Toward God
    Teach me to have a heart of gratitude for the gift of salvation and power of the Holy Spirit. Extend mercy and compassion toward me and forgive me of my sins. May the unfailing love that I have found in you lead me on the path toward you as I continue to grow in grace and Christian love.
  3. Confess Your Faith
    I confess that “Jesus is Lord” and in my heart I have faith that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9)
  4. Connect to God
    Jesus Christ, I invite you to come in and control my life through the power of the Holy Spirit that is within me.

Baptism

“Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (CEB)

baptism

Who Should Get Baptized?

Every person who has made a decision to believe in Christ should be baptized.

“Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day.” Acts 2:14 (CEB)

When Should I Get Baptized?

You should be baptized as soon as possible. We periodically schedule water baptisms during our worship gatherings. If you would like to be baptized, please complete the “candidate information” form below and we will notify you regarding the next opportunity. You may also download a copy and turn it in to a PowerShift family member.

What is Baptism?

  1. Complete immersion
  2. A declaration of one’s commitment to Christ.
  3. A symbol of death and new life

“Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (CEB)

Why Get Baptized?

  1. Jesus was baptized – At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14 (CEB)
  1. Jesus Commands it – 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. (Matthew 28:19)
  2. Experience a new life in Christ. – “Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (CEB)

Benefits of Baptism

  1. We are initiated into a state of grace and favor. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.’ Acts 22:16
  1. Connects us to the body of Christ.“Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.” I Corinthians 12:12-13 (CEB) 
  1. Entrance into God’s Kingdom.“Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.” Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born, isn’t it?” Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.” John 3:3-5 (CEB)

Holy Communion

“Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.” I Corinthians 11:26 (CEB)

Holy Communion

Holy Communion

What is The Lord’s Supper?

 The Lord’s Supper (also known as Communion) is the recognition of the death of the Lord, Jesus the Christ and is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again. The observance of the Lord’s Supper derives from the upper room, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion (death on the cross). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the living Christ is met and received in the sharing of the bread and the cup. When participating, the presence of the living Lord is affirmed and He is proclaimed to be the dominant power in our lives

“I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you: on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this to remember me.” He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.” Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.” I Corinthians 11:23-26 (CEB)

Why Do We Take Communion?

  1. To obey Jesus
  2. To remember Jesus’ sacrifice
  3. To examine ourselves.
  4. To proclaim Jesus’ death until he comes.
  5. To participate in the body of Christ.

“Isn’t the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Isn’t the loaf of bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share the one loaf of bread.” I Corinthians 10:16-17 (CEB)