Today's Word
Ephesians 6:10&11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.
Prayer Focus
War in the Middle East
Strength of Families
Building up the Community
Book to Read
Author: Don Charles
Men in the Bible; Examples to Live By
Welcome to God's Family!
We rejoice with you in the decision you have made to accept Christ as your personal Savior and to become a part of the Sanctuary of Praise fellowship. Welcome to the Family of God!!
We encourage you to begin this journey with the Lord by setting aside at least 15-20 minutes each day to establish a habit of prayer and Bible reading. As you pray and read through the Bible, you will grow in the knowledge of God and His Word, deepen your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and find out God´s plan for your life.
The pastors, elders, and the entire Sanctuary of Praise family stand available to help you in any way that we can. We are thrilled to help you grow closer to God. We have created this packet to help you begin the first steps in your faith.
"But as many as received Him,to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name." John 1:12 NKJV
Baptism
Baptism is the act of a believing Christian who wants to publicly confess his or her personal commitment to Jesus Christ. It is the symbolic washing away of one´s old, sinful past and the rising again to life, God´s way. The act of baptism can be defined as an outward expression of an inward decision.
What does Baptism Mean?
Baptism illustrates Jesus´ burial and resurrection. "Christ died for our sins. He was buried. And He rose again." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Baptism illustrates new life as a Christian. "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
Baptism does not make you a Christian. It is a demonstration that you already believe. It is important to understand that baptism does not "save" you. You are "saved" only by your faith in Jesus.
Why do we get Baptized?
To follow the example set by Christ and because Christ commanded it. ". . . Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river." Mark 1:9
"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." Matt. 28:19-20
When should I get Baptized?
As soon as you believe! There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to trust Christ with your life, you can and should be baptized. If you´re waiting until you´re perfect, you will never be ready.
What's New in a New Believer's Life
What's New? |
Scripture |
| A New Hope | 2 Corinthians 5: 1-4, 6, 8 |
| A New Guide | 2 Corinthians 5: 5 |
| A New Rule | 2 Corinthians 5:7 |
| A New Ambition | 2 Corinthians 5:9 |
| A New Desire | 2 Corinthians 5:11 |
| A New Motive | 2 Corinthians 5:14 |
| A New Purpose | 2 Corinthians 5:15 |
Five Ways to a Healthy Spiritual Start
There is no precise formula for spiritual growth, but at Sanctuary of Praise, suggest the following five steps.
Read your Bible every Day.
To get a good overview, start by reading the gospel of John (New Testament) and then Genesis (Old Testament). By reading these two books, you get an overview of the life of Jesus and the big picture of God´s creation and our human condition. If you do not have a Bible, we will get one for you. Just see Elder Charles, Elder Diana, or one of the pastors.
Pray Daily
Praying about everything is very important. It is your way of communication with God. Philippians 4:6, 7 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Worship Regularly
Worship is a very important part of growth, both corporate and personal worship. "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 NKJV
Fellowship with other Christians
It is vital that we be in fellowship with other Christians in order to encourage each other, pray for each other, and to stir up God´s love and good works in each other. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but let us encourage one another. . . and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Witness to Others
Tell others of the gift of God and what Jesus has done for you. Share the joy of having Him in your life with family and friends. Jesus said, "Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 10:32,33 NKJV
Joining Sanctuary of Praise
When you have made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become a part of His church, the body of Christ. ". . .You are a member of God´s very own family. . . and you belong in God´s household with every other Christian." Ephesians 2:19
We believe that the Church is a family and God expects all believers to be a part of his family. A believer without a church family is an orphan.
Whether you are a new Christian or are coming from another fellowship, to become a member of Sanctuary of Praise you must complete the following: You must first make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. You must be or have been water baptized by immersion upon the profession of your faith in Jesus Christ.
You must express a desire to join with the Sanctuary of Praise family and serve with us as we carry out God´s mission for this church fellowship. Finally, you must complete the Sanctuary of Praise New Members Course.