MORE ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father expect through me.”
Here are some other scriptures on Salvation to help explain further what just took place in your life!
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9 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.
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Acts 19:18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
YOU JUST GOT SAVED….SO NOW WHAT?
Simply saying read the Bible and do what is says sounds daunting; so in short, you want to get water baptized, filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit so you can effectively be a witness, build your faith, and join the family!
But what does all that actually mean? In the next sections we will break each step down so you can jump on a fast track and receive all God has for you sooner than later!
WATER BAPTISM!
Christ has the power to make all things new! Here at The River we celebrate the life changing power of the gospel by following the Lord’s command to be baptized.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision that a person makes the moment they come to know Jesus Christ as their savior!
It’s a representation of how our old self and sins are done away with and we are raised to newness of life in Christ. Through Him the old us is gone and all things are made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, which Paul talks about in Romans 6. We are made alive in Christ!
In conclusion, biblical baptism is post conversion and full water immersion. Examples of this can be found in the New Testament scriptures.
WHY GET BAPTIZED?
Baptism was a command from Jesus.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
WHEN DOES SOMEONE GET BAPTIZED?
We believe that Scripture teaches that someone gets baptized after he or she comes to know Jesus and has received salvation.
We follow the example of Christ; he was baptized so we will be too!
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
& BECOMING A WITNESS
WHAT IS BAPTISM IN HOLY SPIRIT?
It is the power to accomplish what Jesus called every follower to do! Read Jesus’ last words before He ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father!
Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SERVE
As Acts 1:8 said, we are all called to be His witness. You find that calling again in Mark 16:15-18 where Jesus told them (His followers) “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
Another scripture for this call is in Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and told his disciples,“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the
nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
So when you get filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit you receive the power to boldly preach the Good News of the Gospel, seeing salvations as well as the power to operate in miracles, signs, and wonders as stated in the scripture above.
Jesus instructed His disciples that once He was gone that they should not do anything further for Him after until they received the Helper (Holy Spirit) which He was sending. John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
In the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost, you can read where Jesus’ followers were waiting for this helper (the Holy Spirit) as they were all together praying and worshipping the Lord when all of a sudden … (Acts 2:2-4) there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages…
If you go on to read in the book of Acts, you will see that the followers immediately stepped out of their door and boldly preached the Good News to the crowd in the streets and over 3,000 people became followers and were added to the church that very day!
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?
You will speak in an unknown language.
Speaking in tongues (or an unknown language) always accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit in scripture, just like you read in the above scripture on the Day of Pentecost.
Here are some other scriptures to verify this evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:6. We encourage you to read the entire book of Acts.
You will see that there is no ending to the book of Acts like there are in other books of the Bible and that is because the body of Christ is still writing the book of Acts as it is literally “the Acts of Jesus’ followers”.
You are writing your chapter as we speak! Just think about that for a moment…
BEING A WITNESS
We are a book of Acts church, so we go out in the streets fulfilling the Great Commission (Jesus’ instruction to preach the gospel to everyone) every other Saturday! We meet at the church at 10am and train everyone how to share the Gospel confidently and boldly with others. We then go out and minister to people, whether it is door to door, in stores, or other local community events.
Wherever there are people is where we want to be! We use the Gospel Soulwinning Script (which you should have received in your welcome bag) to lead people to Christ. It is anointed and works effectively and quickly.
There is no better feeling than giving people the hope and answer they are looking for!
BUILDING YOUR FAITH
There are many ways to build your faith, both spiritually and practically. The Bible says everyone is given a measure of faith right from jump street (Romans 12:3). It says you can build your most Holy faith you have by praying in the Holy Spirt, which is that heavenly language you received as evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). And then the Bible says you can get even more faith by hearing the word of God! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Now we are going to break down some practical steps in building your faith so you will be officially set up for the best success to fulfill the destiny which God created you for!
DEVELOP A WORD LIFE
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
By faith we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. If the Bible says it that settles it. Living and obeying everything found in the word of God (the Bible) is true and there to bring us life and into God’s perfect plan for our future.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:3
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
The scriptures say the very word of God was Jesus himself.
John1:14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
We not only get to know our creator, but we get to know our savior when we read or hear the word of God. The words in the Bible are alive and active. They go out from our mouths and produce the life in which they were created to produce.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Isiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Growing in your Faith requires a lifestyle in which you take time to learn the word of God! You do this by reading the Bible daily and asking the Holy Spirit, your helper who guides you into truth, to help you understand the words you read and apply them to your life!
Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Ephesians 5:26 so that you may be sanctified being cleansed by the washing of water with the word [of God],
Romans 12:1-2Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Another way you can grow your faith and develop your word life is by hearing the word, remember? There are a few ways to hear the word on a regular basis in your life.
#1 Come to Church! We encourage you to attend church regularly at least once a week if not more and sit under the teachings God is giving to the Pastors to enrich and bless your life.
#2 Listen or watch preaching and teachings online from solid ministers of the Lord! Here are a few we suggest!
–Our very own, Pastors Tim & Virginia Thomas & The River at OCNY Church
–Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne & The River at Tampa Bay Church
–Pastors Todd & Katie Holmes & The River Tri Cities
–Pastors Johnathan & Adalis Shuttlesworth & Revival Today Church
You can find all of these amazing ministers and their teachings on
Facebook, YouTube & Podcast
JOIN THE FAMILY
After you have attended church here for a little while (we suggest at least 3 months) you will want to take our New Members Class. This class provides you with all the knowledge of what we believe, our mission and how we plan to fulfill it together.
We believe fully that God has given each individual special giftings and talents to advance the Kingdom, so you will also get an in depth look on how you can plug in and serve the vision that God has placed on our Pastors to impact this region of Western New York!
There is a place for you here!
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO JOIN A CHURCH
#1 Everyone needs a Pastor or shepherd to be equipped spiritually, for protection, spiritual covering, to be held accountable, and to thrive in your walk with the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
#2 We are instructed in the Bible to come together.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.
#3 All examples in the Bible of Churches were specified to locations where the people lived. You can read about these churches in the books of the Bible that are the letters to the churches: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
If groups of believers gathered locally and regularly, then we should as well.
Acts 2:46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose,
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SERVE
#1 We are all part of the body of Christ and each of us brings something different and very much needed to the table.
Romans 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
#2 Serving in the ministry of helps is a critical part of the function of the church. Could you imagine the Pastor trying to preach a lesson for the sake of the adults and fill the coffee pot for the sake of hospitality, while wrestling toddlers for the sake of kids church. Everyone has their role and function so the entire body of Christ is well taken care of and no one goes without anything.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
HOW CAN I SERVE?
We have many areas you can serve in such as worship, kids church, media and sound, photography, hospitality, housekeeping, grounds keeping, ushering and welcome teams, security and parking, merchandise and book store and so much more! There truly is a place for everyone in the Kingdom of God!
During the New Members Class we will help find a serve team that fits your God given gifts and talents!
BEING PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Partnering with the body of Christ to see Heaven on earth and to be Jesus’ hands and feet and mouth to speak, is the greatest honor. There is truly nothing better than living a life that serves and worships the King of Kings!
We are proud of you and look forward to all that God has for your future and hope this fast track overview of the next steps has been helpful and insightful. If you do find that you still have questions, we assure you that as you take these steps every question you have will be answered along the way!
If there is anything we can do for you here at the River please let us know! We really do love your soul and we are here for you!
With all our love,
The River Church
the river church 