New Convert

CONTENTS

I AM A NEW CONVERT OF JESUS.  WHAT NEXT?

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF FAITH IN JESUS 

I AM A NEW CONVERT OF JESUS.  WHAT NEXT?

The Conversion Experience

Let's discuss the reason why you are following Jesus. Below are three of the most common reasons why people decide to engage in a call for salvation to accept Christ:

1.     To escape eternal judgment

2.     A change in lifestyle

3.     To deceive others (family or friends) who desire to see them follow Jesus

A convert (noun) is one who converts (verb) from one belief to another. The verb form of convert means to change or exchange, switch or transfer, and win over or convince someone of something.

The conversion experience begins with an understanding that you need a deliverer and redeemer from sin, and Jesus is the only one who can help you. You decided to allow Him to become your Saviour from sin and the wrath of God.  You repeated the Romans 10:9,10 confession:

Romans 10:9,10 (ESV)

"...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. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved."

To believe in Jesus means to entrust your life to Him and exchange your life for His.  When you receive Him, you also accept the presence of the Heavenly Father. The Father's life in Jesus was designed to manifest a new life of righteousness in you, thus replacing your old sinful life.  

You cannot live a godly lifestyle unless you accept and acknowledge Jesus as your Lord. You cannot receive and confess Jesus as your Lord unless you decide, with all your heart, to live the life preordained for you by our Heavenly Father. 

If your conversion experience was not for the right reason, decide today to change your life. Talk to Jesus now, repent of your past sins, and receive a new life in the Father’s kingdom. You must have the new-birth experience, being born again, to know Jesus up close and personal. As a reminder, you have another life in eternity that is waiting for you in heaven or hell.

It is exciting to know that you can live righteously. It is fascinating to know, without any doubt, that you can be right with God and man daily. You are the righteousness of God, but only in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV (emphasis added)
"For He (the Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus)."

From Convert to Disciple
Your conversion experience must lead to a lifetime of discipleship that reaps the benefits of the Father's kingdom. You must become stable as a disciple of Jesus to remain in your newly found faith. The conversion experience catapults you into the journey of discipleship. Jesus said:

Matthew 18:3 (NKJV)

“Assuredly, I say to you that unless you are converted and come as a little child you will not enter into God's Kingdom. 

He is saying that unless you change, alter, or adopt another course for your life, with humility, you will not enter the Father's heavenly kingdom. As a reminder, if the Father wanted you in His Kingdom the way you were, Jesus would not have died to deliver you from your worldly ways. That is why John 3:16 is powerful.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish but have everlasting life."

HOW CAN I STAY ON THE DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY?

Three basic principles must be practiced immediately to stay on the disciple journey: 

• Church Attendance and Fellowship
• Bible Reading and Bible Studying
• Worship, Praise, and Prayer

Church Attendance and Fellowship

Your fellowship with other believers is your encouragement, comfort, consolation,  and wisdom.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)

"And let you consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

The above scripture tells us not to stop our fellowship with other believers. In an assembly of believers, you will find spiritual coaching to help change your lifestyle. Their experiences will encourage you to stay on the discipleship journey in spite of the obstacles. Also, when you tell others about Jesus, you become bold. A bold spirit is required for you to stand against the ways of this ungodly world and stay on the journey.

As a new believer, regular church attendance motivates you to serve God. In this type of fellowship, you receive preaching and teaching and participate in corporate praise and worship. You will not hear inspirational messages if you stay home. Listening to live-streaming sermons on the internet cannot replace the live experience of a worship service. Participating in any type of fellowship teaches you how to express your love to the Lord and how to receive His love for you. For most of us, it was fellowship (one‑on‑one contact with a believer or in a church) that motivated us to put our trust in Jesus and continue to discipleship journey.

Fellowship is an outlet to deal with the thoughts of your past sinful life.  To neglect fellowship is to ignore what the Father has done for you through your Savior. Temptations to disobey the Lord and sin will come from the tempter, satan. You must use the outlets designed by the Lord to stay on this journey (Hebrews 2:1-3 NKJV).

NOTE:  When you fellowship with other believers, you should not expect perfect people who live exemplary lives. We are all on this journey together, with all of our imperfections. It is a lifelong journey.

Bible Studying and Reading

The Bible is a book about the redemption of mankind. It does not explain every trivia question about natural and spiritual things. It tells you why redemption was necessary and the process the Lord created to change your life. 

When you read and study the Bible, it begins the process of renewing your mind to the ways of the Lord and His kingdom, which leads to a transformed life. It gives you a glimpse of the Father's character and the revelation of His relationship with Jesus. When you understand their relationship and how it relates to you, the Bible can be used to stand against the adversities you encounter on your journey.

The Bible begins with Hebrew writings called the Old Testament and ends with a collection of letters written in Greek called the New Testament. The word “testament” means covenant. A covenant is an agreement, contract, promise, or pledge between two or more individuals. 

The Bible is the Word of God speaking to you and giving you spiritual nourishment when you seek it. It addresses the issues of life throughout your lifetime, as it has for centuries before and after you. That is why it is the "Living Word" of God.

The Bible contains the history of the Heavenly Father’s constant attempt to communicate His original purpose and plan for mankind. It includes both good people and bad people, and how the Lord dealt with them. The titles, chapters, and verses were added later for clarity and to describe the writings or letters for future readers. 

Old Testament

The Old Testament begins with creation, followed by the table of the first nations, how God selected the nation of Israel to represent Him on the earth, and His historical relationship with that nation.

When Adam and Eve accepted the enemy's deception by an act of disobedience, it caused a spiritual disease called sin. The sin disease caused the first man and woman and their descendants to live in a perpetual state of deception, disobedience, and rebellion against the Lord, their Creator. Therefore, He put into action His plan to deal with man’s struggle to please Him. It tells of His desire for a relationship with mankind through using the descendants of Abraham, His friend.

The Old Testament contains 39 books of history, prophesy, poetry, and wisdom. It covers the period from creation through the latter part of the ancient Persian Empire.

New Testament
The New Testament begins with books called the Gospels (Good News) about Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) and how He came to earth to redeem mankind from sin. The books describe Jesus' birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. They also include how the Heavenly Father gives Holy Spirit, His gift to mankind, to help them live a righteous lifestyle. It is impossible to live holy by only practicing religious laws and rituals. We must have a new heart and a renewed mind to live right.

The New Testament is also the history of how the knowledge of Jesus began to spread throughout the world. These letters, written by the apostles and others, were the early churches' Holy Scriptures for a new way of living and believing in Jehovah God through the Messiah, Jesus. 

The New Testament contains 25 books:

• The Gospels
• Acts of the apostles (messengers) and disciples (followers) after Jesus returned to heaven
• Epistles (letters) written to the Gentile churches (most by Paul) 

The authors sent the writings to believers throughout the Middle East, parts of Asia Minor, and southern Europe.

Worship, Praise, and Prayer

Your time alone with the Lord must be to minister to Him and give Him glory and reverence. When you come before the Father, you must worship Him in faith, praise Him for honoring your faith, and pray in faith for your needs and the needs of others.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
“And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” 

You should not be afraid or think it is strange to communicate with the Lord. You are His child. It would be odd if a woman gave birth to a child and never spoke to him or her. In our world, it would be considered criminal. Your Heavenly Father created the family on earth and in heaven to communicate with each other.

You must take the time to be with the Lord as a part of your daily routine. It should be more important than the time you set aside to take care of your personal needs.

Can the Lord count on you to be consistent in setting aside time to talk to Him and be with Him?

CONCLUSION

Accepting salvation for the sin disease in the name of Jesus is the most crucial decision in your life. You cannot become a member of the Father's eternal kingdom without the conversion experience. Without salvation, you are destined to stay a member of satan's kingdom, which will be destroyed by God's final judgment.

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF FAITH IN JESUS

The foundations of faith can be found throughout the New Testament. Hebrews 6:1-2 lists the foundational principles Jesus taught in the Gospels.

 

Hebrews 6:1-2 NLT (emphasis added)

"So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely, we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

 

The writer of Hebrews recognized the lack of spiritual maturity among Jewish disciples. The writer lists these principles that all believers should understand. They are:

1.   Repentance from evil deeds and placing your faith in God

2.      Baptism

3.      Laying on of Hands

4.   Resurrection of the Dead

5.      Eternal Judgment

Principle 1: Repenting from Evil Deeds and Placing Faith in God

A.          Evil Deeds

Paul the Apostle gives a comprehensive list of evil deeds in Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT). He warns that believers who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Evil deeds are also called dead works or works of the flesh.

Quarreling	Dissensions	Drunkenness
Envy	Division	Outbursts of anger
Hostility	Idolatry	Impurity
Jealousy	Lustful pleasures	Sexual immorality
Sorcery	Wild parties	Other things like these

 

Paul tells us that evil deeds originated from Satan.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV (emphasis added)

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” 

B.          Repentance from Evil Deeds

To repent from evil deeds is to recognize and acknowledge them and ask for God’s forgiveness. This is our salvation experience. Forgiveness sets you right with your heavenly Father, as if you never did any evil deeds (sins). By asking for forgiveness, you will not suffer eternal judgment.

 

1 John 2:1-2 NLT (emphasis added)

“My dear children, I [Apostle John] am writing this to you so you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

C.           Faith in God

Faith in God is believing that Jesus is the Christ (Anointed One) sent by your Heavenly Father to secure mankind’s redemption from sin (evil deeds). Holy Spirit opened your understanding, and you believed in repenting for the remission of your sins.

 

Acts 13:38-39 AMP (emphasis added)

[Peter speaking] “So, let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him. everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses [or any other way].”

Romans 3:22-23 AMP

“This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God's Son]. There is no distinction since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God…”

 

It is faith that your Heavenly Father sent Jesus to be punished for the sins that save you from His wrath.

Principle 2: Baptisms

In Greek, baptism refers to the ritual washings, cleansings, and purifications performed by the Jews according to the Laws given by Moses and the traditions of Israelite religious leaders.

 

Mark 7:3-4 NLT (emphasis added)

[Jesus speaking] “(The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don't eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)”

 

Jesus taught that keeping the Jewish tradition of washings was not as important as keeping the original laws God gave Moses and the prophets (Mark 7:5-9). You must be careful not to engage in man-made rituals not sanctioned by God’s word or His Holy Spirit. Note: Order in your church or fellowship is required, but should not replace God’s word.

 

Galatians 5:1, 4 NLT (emphasis added)

“So, Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law [rituals of the Law of Moses fulfilled by Jesus].”

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law [Law of Moses], you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.”

 

Unfortunately, believers can be led away from the Lord by keeping church traditions instead of God’s commandments.

Because you are new to the faith, it is not sacrilegious to question why a church’s tradition is imposed on the people and how it reflects what Jesus taught His apostles and disciples about the kingdom of God. We are citizens of His kingdom and not a religious order.

The New Testament epistles consistently warn believers not to keep Jewish traditions. You are saved by faith in Christ alone.

A.          Baptized vs. Baptism

For clarification, the Greek translation for baptized differs from baptism or ritual washings.

Baptized denotes immersion or submersion, such as the ministry of John the Baptist. However, you will hear people refer to being baptized as water baptism or baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 (emphasis added)

“And Jesus came and said to them [disciples], ‘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.’"

Acts 1:5, 8 NLT (emphasis added)

“John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Principle 3: Laying on of Hands

The laying on of hands is a principle that has been incorrectly used, overused, or not used at all. Some ministers can be seen laying their hands on someone’s head and praying for them. This practice came down from Jesus to believers through the apostles and disciples.

Jesus laid His hands on the children to bless them and on the sick to heal them.

 Matthew 19:14-15 NKJV (emphasis added)

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid [His] hands on them and departed from there.”

Luke 13:13 NKJV (emphasis added)

“And He [Jesus] laid [His] hands on her [woman bent over], and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

Mark 16:17a-18 NKJV (emphasis added)

“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: ... they [disciples] will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

In Acts and the epistles, the apostles laid hands on people as commanded by Jesus and received new revelations from Holy Spirit about when to use it. For example, they anointed deacons for church service (Acts 6:5-7) and sent them to proclaim the Gospel (Acts 13:2-3 [Barnabas and Saul or Paul called to service). They laid hands on the disciples to receive Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17 [Peter and John in Samaria]).

This principle must be used under the direction of Holy Spirit. God’s power acts on your behalf through faith and not through acts of divination¹. You do not consult other beings or things to change your situation. Read about Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:18-24, who tried to purchase the laying on of hands from Peter and John. The apostles told him to repent for thinking Holy Spirit was a thing that could be bought and used at his discretion.

 You should know that laying on hands is not a prerequisite for healing and deliverance. Jesus and the apostles performed deliverance without laying their hands on the people.

 

Matthew 8:8, 13 NLT (emphasis added)

“But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.”

“Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, ‘Go back home. Because you believed it has happened.’ And the young servant was healed that same hour.”

Acts 9:33-34 AMP

“There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed."  Immediately, Aeneas got up.”

1 “Divination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divination. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

Principle 4: Resurrection of the Dead

Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT (emphasis added)

“Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son [Jesus] also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. “Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”

 Satan “had” the power of physical and spiritual death before Jesus came to earth. Everyone born of a woman on earth must die both deaths unless the Father grants an exception. Paul wrote about this exception in Romans 5:19.

 Romans 5:19 ESV (emphasis added)

“For as by the one man's [Adam] disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's [Jesus] obedience the many will be made righteous."

 

Mankind only dies once. Therefore, Jesus only had to die one time to redeem you. When the soldier stood by His cross and pierced the side of His body, it was proof that He was human, and He was dead. (Hebrews 9:12, 16-17, 27-28 NLT)

 When Jesus died on earth, He earned the right to go into hell as a human being and take authority over death and the grave from Satan by the power of Holy Spirit in Him. He is the first and only person to be resurrected and continues to live. Others have been resurrected from the dead but died again later. They had no power over death and the grave.

 

Romans 1:3-4 NKJV (emphasis added)

“…concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh [and] declared [to be] the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

 Luke 20:35-69 lists some of the benefits of a resurrected life:

1.      Do not marry

2.      Do not die anymore

3.      Equal with angels

4.      Sons of God by the resurrection

 

Luke 20:35-36 NKJV (emphasis added)

“But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

 

Therefore, your salvation from sin, identification as a child of God, redemption from eternal death in hell, and righteousness before the Father are the results of Jesus’ rising from the dead. The fact that our Savior is alive makes us an exceptional nation of people (1 Peter 2:4-5).

 

Romans 6:3-5, 8-11 AMP

“Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.”

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live [together] with Him, because we know [the self-evident truth] that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin [ending its power and paying the sinner's debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.”

 Your destiny as a human being is eternal life through the resurrection from the dead by Jesus.

Principle 5: Eternal Judgment

Eternal judgment is a spiritual law instituted by the Father before the world was created. The outcome is eternal damnation or eternal pardon. Hell (before the final judgment) and the Lake of Fire (after the final judgment) were created for Satan, his demonic followers, and human souls who rebelled against the Father.

 The Father understands that mankind is born into spiritual death through Adam and Eve. The law of eternal judgment is the reason Jesus came to Earth, died, and was resurrected for humankind. Not accepting Jesus and following His way of life constitutes rebellion against the Father and leads to eternal damnation.

 The Father understands that mankind is born into spiritual death through Adam and Eve. The law of eternal judgment is why Jesus came to Earth, died, and was resurrected for humankind. Not accepting Jesus and following His way of life is rebellion against the Father and leads to eternal damnation.

 Jesus spoke many times about the coming judgment of God on sinful men and the restoration and salvation of those who believe in Him (John 3:16-18, Acts 2:21, 4:12).

 Names for eternal judgment for the condemned:

●        Everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46)

●        Everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41)

●        Lake of fire (Revelation 20:15)

●        Furnace of fire (Matthew 13:49-50)

●        Hell’s fire (Isaiah 66:22-24, Matthew 5:22)

●        Outer darkness (Matthew 22:13)

●        Portion with the hypocrites (Matthew 24:50-51)

 Jesus will return to rescue His followers from God's coming wrath and give them life eternal with Him.

Conclusion

Understanding what you believe and why you chose a different lifestyle is essential. Life is all about the kingdom of God and His way of life. The foundational principles must be grounded in your soul to catapult you into maturity in Christ. Jesus is not a fairy tale or fantasy. He is real, and believers and non-believers have historically documented His time on earth.

For believers, going to heaven is a fact. However, eternity is not an issue if you are registered in the Book of Life. It is a matter of not being removed.

 

Revelation 3:5 AMP (emphasis added)

… “He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].”

---