First Things, First
Our first objective is to ensure that you have received salvation and had an opportunity to be baptized.
The bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). This is why Christ was sent into the world – to save us and to give us a new life – eternal life. Further, God’s plan for your salvation is outlined in Scripture.
First, we must understand the state of every human as sinful and God as holy. Romans 3:23 states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and there is no one righteous, not even one, according to Romans 3:10. So, all of humankind has fallen short and sinned. For the wages of sin is death, according to Romans 6:23, but the sinner has hope because of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. It’s a gift made available because God loves us… “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23. It will cost you nothing, but it cost God everything.
Second, we must understand the hope we have in the love of God expressed through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says that “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Once we understand our need for a savior and recognize that Jesus Christ is that Savior, our response is simple, according to Scripture. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10. It does not matter what you have done; salvation is available to everyone. “For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” With your heart and your mouth, you can call on him right now by praying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you died for my sins and that you rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my personal Lord and Savior. I receive you now.
If you prayed that prayer, congratulations – You Are Saved. Also, because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can now enjoy peace with God, no longer separated from Him because of your sin. Romans 5:1-2. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1.
Please click the button below and let us know you have accepted Christ as your personal savior so we can rejoice with you. Someone will contact you shortly about baptism.
Now, it’s important that you connect with a bible teaching church. New Cedar Grove welcomes you.
WE’RE CALLED TO SERVE
Just as it is with the many different parts of the human body that contribute to its function, so it is with the body of Christ. We believe that New Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church is healthy only to the degree that our people are loving and serving Him and His people. We can help you find a ministry opportunity to compliment your desires and talents including:
- Family Ministries
- Usher Ministry
- Welcome & Greeters Team
- Missions & Community Outreach
- Music & Drama Ministries
- Worship Ministries
- Educational Ministries
Click here to submit your ministry interests and someone will contact you shortly.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We all have been given unique gifts, talents, personalities, passions and experiences that define who we are and how we fit into God’s purpose and our roles as members of His body—the church.
You can find out what your spiritual gift tendencies are through a brief online survey:
TAKE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS TEST
Salvation
Salvation is given by God in grace, apart from human works or merit (Eph 1:6-7; 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 3:24; 5:20-21; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7) It is received by man through repentance and faith. (Matt 3:2; 4:17; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:3; 15:7; Acts 2:38; 3;19; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; Rom 5:1; 10:9-15; Eph 2:8-9) repentance and faith are used together in several places in scripture. (Acts 20:21; mark 1:15; Heb 6:1; Matt 21:32)
There are two requirements for salvation. First you have to accept the Lord Jesus Christ. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6, NIV) Jesus bridges the chasm of sin separating us from God. We human beings are separated from God by sin, and only one person in the universe is our mediator and can stand between us and God and bring us together again—Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus’ sacrifice brought new life to all people.
The second requirement is that you repent. Repentance is absolutely necessary. True repentance is turning away from the sin and never returning to it. This must be from the heart and not the head in order for it to more than mere remorse.
Salvation cannot be earned. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up the church (Eph 4:12).
The Meaning and Purpose of Baptism
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. (Col 3:1; 2 Tim 2:11) It identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith. It is a part of the great commission (Matt 28:18-20)
