I Decided to Follow Jesus, Now What?

New Life in Christ & the Next Step of Baptism

Scripture References

• Romans 6

Overview

You have said yes to Jesus, and that decision changes everything. Salvation is a gift—grace received through faith, not earned by good works—because Jesus lived sinless, died in our place, and rose again. Now the old life is gone, you are a brand-new person in Christ, and sin no longer rules you. The natural next step is to go public through baptism, a vivid picture of dying with Christ and rising to walk in new life.

Context

The speaker welcomes new believers at Life.Church, whose mission is “to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.” This short teaching video explains what following Jesus means and why baptism is the first act of obedience after salvation.

Main Points

1. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works

• We are made right with God “by grace through faith,” never by personal effort or religious accomplishments.
• Faith rests on who Jesus is and what He has done, not on what we feel in any given moment.
• Whether you sense goosebumps or nothing at all, the finished work of Christ is secure.

2. Who Jesus is and what He accomplished

• Jesus is the sinless Son of God, born of a virgin; He did not inherit a sinful nature.
• On the Cross He “became sin in our place,” paying the full price for humanity’s forgiveness.
• He rose on the third day so that “anyone who calls on Jesus would be saved.”
• Because of His resurrection, believers are completely forgiven; “the old is gone and you are completely new.”

3. Your new identity: sin is no longer your master

• Quoting Romans 6, the speaker highlights that believers have “died to sin” and now live a new life empowered by God.

• “Sin has no power over you. It’s no longer your master. Christ is.”

• The Spirit who raised Jesus now lives in you, enabling a life that pleases God and makes an eternal difference.

4. Baptism: the first public declaration of faith

• Baptism is a Christian sacrament that symbolizes both death to the old life and resurrection into new life with Jesus.
• Going under water pictures burial with Christ; rising out of the water pictures being raised by His power.
• Romans 6 connects baptism with being “joined with Christ…in his death” so that “we also may live new lives.”
• Practical counsel: schedule a baptism, invite friends and family, and declare, “I am a follower of Jesus.”

Key Truths

• Salvation is a gift of grace received by faith alone.
• Jesus’ sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection secure complete forgiveness.
• In Christ, believers become brand-new people; the past no longer defines them.
• Sin’s power is broken; Jesus, not sin, now rules the believer’s life.
• Baptism publicly celebrates and proclaims this inward transformation.

Response

• Trust Jesus’ finished work instead of trying to earn God’s approval.
• Thank God daily that your old life is gone and you are new in Christ.
• Reject thoughts that say sin still controls you; speak the truth that Christ is your master.
• Arrange to be baptized as soon as possible, inviting others to witness your commitment.
• Begin reading Scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your new life.

Closing

Your decision to follow Christ means you are forgiven, free, and filled with His life. Baptism is your opportunity to shout that good news to the world and step forward in obedience. > “It’s time to get baptized, it’s time to go public, it’s time to let the Spirit of Christ lead you into a life that would please God.”