Dear Friend in Christ
Shawn Abigail
First, I would like to congratulate you on your step of faith. There is much that I would like to say to you, but I shall have to limit myself to a brief discussion of a few topics.
As a new believer, you have much to learn. The source of this knowledge is the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Read several chapters each day. When you start a book in the Bible, read it through from start to finish. Don't accept preaching or teaching, unless it is based on the Bible. The Bereans listened to all that Paul the Apostle said and then made sure that it was true by searching the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Because they did this, Paul commended them as being "noble". There is no short cut to Spiritual maturity. The only way to grow as a Christian is through reading and studying the Bible. To read the Bible is your privilege and responsibility. When we read the Bible, it must be with the firm conviction that we will do what it says.
It is very important that you attend church meetings regularly (Hebrews 10:25). Find a local church that accepts the Bible as their final authority, and then stay with that church. One of the purposes of meetings of the church is to build each other up (Ephesians 4:12). You can't be built up if you aren't there, and you can't help build up others either. Christians were not meant to work as individuals, but as a single body, all working together towards the common goal.
Once you are saved, you should be baptized. It is the Lord's command that believers be baptized (Matthew 28:19). In the Bible, we never see little babies being baptized. Baptism is only for those who have made the choice to become a Christian. The word "baptize" means "to immerse". Acts 8:36-38 gives an example of a baptism.
Do not neglect prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is simply talking to God. When we pray, we should thank God for his help and provision. We can talk to him about our needs and struggles. It is very important to pray for other Christians (1 Samuel 12:23). We can also ask God to save our family and friends, and to give us opportunities to tell other people about the Lord Jesus. We should meet together with other Christians to pray, and we should also pray by ourselves.
We should look for opportunities to tell other people about the Lord Jesus (Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:15), and about how they too can become Christians. If we are going to witness to other people, it is important that we know our Bibles well. Know what you believe and why you believe it!
Not everyone who says that they are a Christian really is a Christian. This is a sad fact. Not every Christian book contains the truth. Sometimes, genuine Christians will disagree. Again, you should test everything by what the Scriptures says.
My final advice is the hardest to give, but it must be done. The Christian must separate himself or herself from the world. In part this means that we must be careful who our friends are, and who we get advice from (1 Corinthians 15:33). It also means that we cannot have a romantic relationship with an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This is a hard teaching but it is true, and thousands of Christians who have destroyed their lives and effectiveness for God will bear witness to the fact. The Christian must not date or marry an unbeliever. You may love that person, and desire to lead them to the Lord, but it is not God's will that you be in a relationship with them. Even if they make a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus, you should wait for a while to make sure the profession is real. If you were already married when you became a Christian, then you should not seek a divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).
May God bless you richly as you seek to learn more about Him, and to serve Him.
First, I would like to congratulate you on your step of faith. There is much that I would like to say to you, but I shall have to limit myself to a brief discussion of a few topics.
As a new believer, you have much to learn. The source of this knowledge is the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Read several chapters each day. When you start a book in the Bible, read it through from start to finish. Don't accept preaching or teaching, unless it is based on the Bible. The Bereans listened to all that Paul the Apostle said and then made sure that it was true by searching the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Because they did this, Paul commended them as being "noble". There is no short cut to Spiritual maturity. The only way to grow as a Christian is through reading and studying the Bible. To read the Bible is your privilege and responsibility. When we read the Bible, it must be with the firm conviction that we will do what it says.
It is very important that you attend church meetings regularly (Hebrews 10:25). Find a local church that accepts the Bible as their final authority, and then stay with that church. One of the purposes of meetings of the church is to build each other up (Ephesians 4:12). You can't be built up if you aren't there, and you can't help build up others either. Christians were not meant to work as individuals, but as a single body, all working together towards the common goal.
Once you are saved, you should be baptized. It is the Lord's command that believers be baptized (Matthew 28:19). In the Bible, we never see little babies being baptized. Baptism is only for those who have made the choice to become a Christian. The word "baptize" means "to immerse". Acts 8:36-38 gives an example of a baptism.
Do not neglect prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is simply talking to God. When we pray, we should thank God for his help and provision. We can talk to him about our needs and struggles. It is very important to pray for other Christians (1 Samuel 12:23). We can also ask God to save our family and friends, and to give us opportunities to tell other people about the Lord Jesus. We should meet together with other Christians to pray, and we should also pray by ourselves.
We should look for opportunities to tell other people about the Lord Jesus (Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:15), and about how they too can become Christians. If we are going to witness to other people, it is important that we know our Bibles well. Know what you believe and why you believe it!
Not everyone who says that they are a Christian really is a Christian. This is a sad fact. Not every Christian book contains the truth. Sometimes, genuine Christians will disagree. Again, you should test everything by what the Scriptures says.
My final advice is the hardest to give, but it must be done. The Christian must separate himself or herself from the world. In part this means that we must be careful who our friends are, and who we get advice from (1 Corinthians 15:33). It also means that we cannot have a romantic relationship with an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This is a hard teaching but it is true, and thousands of Christians who have destroyed their lives and effectiveness for God will bear witness to the fact. The Christian must not date or marry an unbeliever. You may love that person, and desire to lead them to the Lord, but it is not God's will that you be in a relationship with them. Even if they make a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus, you should wait for a while to make sure the profession is real. If you were already married when you became a Christian, then you should not seek a divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).
May God bless you richly as you seek to learn more about Him, and to serve Him.
