Why We Believe What We Believe, Why We Do What We Do?

Christian Growth

Teachings Series: Part 1

who do we believe in?

JESUS, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” – John 3: 16

How Does one Become a Christian?

“⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”  – Romans 10: 9-11

After believing & accepting Christ, then what?

1. You are added to the Church, the family of God

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” – ACTS 2: 41

2. Be devoted to the teachings of Christ. A disciple must be taught, a disciple should participate, frequent in teachings and available to be taught.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  – MATTHEW 28:19-20

3. Be devoted to Christian practices and disciplines

^“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – ACTS 2:42

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” – COLOSSIANS 2:6-7

4. We are to Grow in Christ

“Like new-born infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”  – 1 PETER 2:2

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High” – PSALM 92:1

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. ² I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, ³ for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” – 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-3 

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” – 2 PETER 3:18

5. Dedicate yourself to the studying of scripture 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”  – COLOSSIANS 3:16

Be a Berean (someone who eagerly receives spiritual teaching but carefully examines scriptures daily to verify the truth rather than accepting claims blindly ) who gets time to search the scriptures

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so”  – ACTS 17:11

6. Give yourself to prayer

 “pray without ceasing” – 1 THESSELONIANS 5:17

7. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”  – PHILIPPIANS 2:12

“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” – HEBREWS 10:25

 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts” – ACTS 2:46