Salvation
We have a natural desire to be the boss and to ignore God’s principles for living. The Bible calls this attitude sin.
“All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6
Sin breaks our close relationship with God. It causes us to fear God and try to live our lives outside of His will. When our relationship to God is not right, it causes problems in every area of our lives.
“The trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God.” Isaiah 59:2 (LB
Jesus has already taken care of the sin problem. God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself. If any other way would have worked, Jesus Christ would not have had to come. It’s Personal!
“God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still separated from God by sin, Christ died for us. ” Romans 5:8
God has done His part to restore our relationship to Him. He took the initiative. Now He waits for each of us to individually accept what He has done for us. Our relationship to God is not restored by anything we do, but on the basis of what Jesus already did for us!
Baptism
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. It doesn’t “save” you, only faith in Christ does that. It’s like a wedding ring – an outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.
1. Jesus set the example
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river." - Mark 1:9
2. Jesus commands it
"Jesus said, 'Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'"
Matthew 28:19-20
3. Illustrates a new life
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… so also we may live a new life!"
Romans 6:4
Serving at Grace Ridge
God created us to use our passions and abilities to help other people grow in their relationship with God.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:6-7