Salvation

Start your journey with Jesus

Wondering what this "saved" thing is all about, or how you'd even begin a relationship with Jesus? Let's keep it simple.

The Bible is the playbook where we find the answers. Romans 10:9 puts it plainly:

Romans 10:9That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
John 3:16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Most people would say they don't want to perish, but want everlasting life. So let's step through the beginning of the process. To be born again you confess Jesus as Lord and believe He is who the Bible says He is. When you ask Him into your heart, you allow Him to be Lord of your life. It doesn't need to be complicated.

The basics

  1. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
  2. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and was raised three days later.
  3. Repent of your sins and commit to not going back to them.
  4. Accept Jesus as your Savior.
  5. Get baptized.

A simple prayer

Here is a simple way to have that conversation with God. It's not the exact words that hold power — it's the sincere step of faith behind them:

God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now — I've been living for myself. Please forgive me for all I have done wrong. I realize I need You in my life. Jesus, I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. I receive the forgiveness You have made freely available to me. Jesus, I accept You as my personal Savior. Thank You for Your grace, Your forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life. From this day forward, I will follow You in the best way I know how. Amen.

If you prayed that — what's next

  1. Tell other Christians about your new faith, and get baptized — the outward display of your inward commitment.
  2. Start an open dialogue with God. Include Him in your daily life and build the habit of talking with Him.
  3. Read the Bible daily. A great place to start is the Gospel of John, then the book of Acts onward.
  4. Seek fellowship — find believing friends who can answer questions and support you.
  5. Find a local, Bible-believing church to learn and grow.

About being "born again"

So it doesn't sound like a strange concept, here's one way to understand it:

  1. We are a spirit. Our spirit lives on after the body dies.
  2. We have a soul — our mind, will, and emotions.
  3. And we live in a body, here on earth.

When we ask Jesus into our lives, something supernatural happens: the Spirit of God brings our spirit to life. God now lives inside us and wants to teach us a great deal. Get excited about this journey — it's a supernatural ride.

See God at work Why healing happens