F is for FORGIVENESS​

• We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. — "In Him [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7a, NKJV).



A is for AVAILABLE

Forgiveness is available. It is...

• Available for All — "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV).

• But Not Automatic — "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21a, NKJV).

I is for IMPOSSIBLE

It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.

• Because of His Nature: God is loving and just. His judgment is against sin. — "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy" (James 2:13a, NKJV).

• Because of Our Nature: Every person is a sinner. — "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23, NKJV)

• How can a sinful person enter heaven, when God allows no sin?



T is for TURN

Turn means repent.

• Turn from Something: Sin and self. — "...but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3b, NKJV).

• Turn to Someone: Trust Christ only. — "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NKJV).



H is for HEAVEN

Heaven is eternal life.

• Here — "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b, NKJV).

• Hereafter —  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3, NKJV).

How?  How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?
By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH:
"Forsaking All I Trust Him."



What you do with Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make!
Our prayer is that you carefully consider the claims of Christ from the Bible (God's love letter to you).  We believe that you will find them to be true, that you can be forgiven, and that you can begin a new relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sample Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

 

 

About Baptism

 

​Does a person have to be baptized to be saved?
No. The act of baptism doesn’t save us or forgive our sins. Jesus did that for us when he died on the cross. A thief was crucified next to Jesus and obviously never had an opportunity to be baptized, but Jesus promised the man eternal life. Baptism is not necessary for salvation.

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So why should I be baptized?
While baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is commanded for obedience (Matthew 3:13-15; 28:19). Baptism is our first step of obedience as new believers.

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What does baptism mean? What is its significance?
Baptism is the symbolic act of identifying with the Savior Jesus Christ, the message of Christ, and the Body of Christ.

• Jesus Christ:  Like a wedding ring publicly symbolizes your devotion to your spouse, your baptism is a public declaration of your devotion to your Savior Jesus Christ. It also symbolizes that you are identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we baptize someone we say, “Buried together with Christ;” [immersed] “Raised to walk a new life with him.” It’s a dramatic picture of what Christ did for us on the cross.

• The Message:  It is a symbolic way of telling the world that you accepted the Gospel and are a follower of Jesus Christ. It also symbolizes what Jesus Christ did in your life. It is the outward expression of an inward change.

• The Body of Christ:  It symbolizes that you are willing to identify with other Christians by following the same Christ. It shows that you are ready and willing to identify with all the other imperfect Christians around the world as your spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ. You express this as you engage the believers in your local church as well as believers around the world.

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Why baptism by immersion?
Baptism actually means, “To dip, plunge or immerse.” Jesus was baptized by immersion (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10). In fact, whenever the New Testament talks about baptism, it refers to immersion (e.g., Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:38-39).

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I was baptized in the past but not by immersion. Now what?
Others in our church have had a similar experience. Getting “baptized again” is in no way an attempt to discredit a previous commitment to Christ or affiliation with another church. For many, this serves as a moving time of recommitment.

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What if I was baptized as an infant?
Usually infant baptism reflects the loving intentions of a family, but as a child you were not old enough to make a decision, accept or trust in Jesus. In the Bible, baptism always comes after someone consciously and purposefully made a personal decision to accept and trust Jesus as Savior.

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What do I wear? How does it work?
All those questions are answered in a phone call or a letter that is mailed to those being baptized. Of course you can also pose questions to our members, deacons, or staff. In addition, before the baptism service, the pastor meets with those taking part to pray and answer any last-minute questions.

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When is the next baptism?
If you would like to be baptized at the next baptism service, or if you have any additional questions, please let us know after a service, by calling the pastor, or by noting it on your communication card in the service.
Southside Baptism Team will assist pastor and you as you follow the Lord in baptism.