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What Must a Christian Continue to do After Baptism?

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 180+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

After being baptized, a Christian is expected to continue living their life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and the principles of the Christian faith. This may involve regular attendance at church services, participating in church activities and events, reading and studying the Bible, praying, and trying to follow the example of Jesus in their daily life.

It is also important for Christians to continue to grow in their faith, which may involve seeking out opportunities for spiritual growth and learning, such as attending Bible study groups, participating in retreats or seminars, or joining a small group or fellowship.

Additionally, Christians are called to share their faith with others and to serve others in their community and beyond. This may involve volunteering at a local church or ministry, participating in service projects, or engaging in evangelism or other efforts to spread the message of Jesus to those who may not know him.

A life dedicated to God is a term that refers to a way of living that is completely focused on pleasing and serving God. This can involve a variety of practices and behaviors, depending on an individual’s faith and the specific teachings of the true Christian faith.

Some common elements of a life dedicated to God might include:

Regular worship and prayer
Study of the Bible and other Christian books
Service to others, including charitable work and acts of kindness
Living according to the principles and values of one’s true Christian faith
Regularly share in Jesus’ command to teach the Bible and make disciples
Seeking to honor God in all aspects of one’s life, including personal relationships, work, and daily choices

A life dedicated to God requires a deep commitment to following Jesus and living out His teachings. It involves a willingness to put God first in all areas of one’s life and to seek to honor Him in all that one does. It also requires reliance on God’s grace and strength to enable believers to live out their faith in a way that is pleasing to Him.

The Renewing of Your Mind

Romans 12:2 reads: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is urging believers in Jesus to resist the temptation to conform to the ways of the world around them and instead to allow their minds to be transformed by God’s truth. He encourages them to continually test their thoughts and actions against God’s standards in order to discern his will and to pursue what is good, acceptable, and perfect in his sight. The idea is that as believers allow their minds to be renewed and transformed by God’s Word, they will be better equipped to live in a way that is pleasing to him and that reflects his character and values.

How Can Christians Avoid Having Their Thinking Influenced by Satan’s World?

There are several ways that Christians can avoid having their thinking molded by the world and instead be shaped by God’s truth:

Spend time in God’s Word: Reading and studying the Bible can help believers to learn about God’s character and his ways and to understand what he desires for their lives.
Pray regularly: Asking God for wisdom, discernment, and guidance can help believers to align their thoughts and actions with his will.
Surround themselves with other believers: Being part of a community of believers can provide support and accountability and can help believers to stay grounded in God’s truth.
Seek out godly role models and mentors: Finding people who are further along in their faith journey and who can offer guidance and encouragement can be helpful in staying focused on God’s ways.
Guard their hearts and minds: Being mindful of what they allow themselves to be exposed to, such as media, music, and other forms of entertainment, can help believers to avoid being influenced by worldly thinking.
Seek God’s strength and help: Asking God to fill them with his Holy Spirit and to give them the strength and courage to stand firm in their faith can be crucial in avoiding being swayed by the world’s ways.

How Can We Examine Our Thinking about the Nearness of the Second Coming of Christ?

Here are a few ways to examine your thinking about the second coming of Christ:

Study the Bible: The Bible contains numerous passages that speak about the second coming of Christ, and studying these passages can help believers to understand better what the Bible teaches on this topic.
Reflect on your current beliefs: Take some time to consider your current beliefs about the second coming of Christ. Are they based on what the Bible teaches, or have they been influenced by other sources?
Seek guidance from trusted Christian leaders: Talk with your pastor, a Bible study leader, or other trusted Christian leaders about your beliefs and any questions you may have.
Pray for wisdom and understanding: Ask God to help you understand his truth about the second coming of Christ and to give you the wisdom and discernment to discern between truth and error.
Consider the biblical context: When studying passages about the second coming of Christ, it is important to consider the context in which they were written. This can help to understand better their meaning and how they apply to us today.

2 Corinthians 13:5 reads: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is urging the believers in the Corinthian church to take a careful look at their own lives and to evaluate whether they are truly living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and the principles of the Christian faith. He reminds them that Jesus Christ lives within them, and he encourages them to test themselves to make sure that they are living in a way that is consistent with their faith. The idea is that believers should regularly examine their thoughts, words, and actions to ensure that they are living in a way that is pleasing to God and that reflects his character and values.

Put on the New Self

Ephesians 4:24 reads: “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is urging believers to put on the “new self,” which represents the new nature that believers receive when they are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. This new self is created in the image of God and is characterized by true righteousness and holiness, which are qualities that reflect God’s character and are the result of being transformed by the Holy Spirit.

The idea is that as believers put on the new self, they should strive to live in a way that is consistent with the character and values of God rather than conforming to the ways of the world. This involves making choices and taking actions that are in line with God’s will and that reflect his righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:31-32 reads: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

In this passage, the apostle Paul is urging believers to put away negative and harmful attitudes and behaviors, such as bitterness, wrath, anger, and slander, and instead to cultivate qualities of kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. He reminds them that they have been forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, and he encourages them to extend that same forgiveness to others.

The idea is that as believers seek to follow the example of Jesus and to live in a way that reflects his character and values, they should strive to cultivate attitudes and behaviors that are loving, compassionate, and forgiving. This involves being quick to extend grace and mercy to others rather than holding onto grudges or seeking revenge.

Romans 7:21-23 reads: “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

In this passage, the apostle Paul describes the struggle that believers can experience as they try to live in accordance with God’s will and the principles of the Christian faith. He explains that even when he desires to do what is right and to follow God’s law, he finds that sin and temptation are always present and tempt him to stray from God’s ways. He describes this as a war that is taking place within him, with the law of sin battling against the law of his mind and making him captive to sin.

The passage can be seen as a reflection on the struggle that all believers face as they try to live a godly life in a fallen world. It reminds us that we are not perfect and that we will always struggle with sin and temptation, but it also points us to the hope that we have in Jesus, who has the power to deliver us from the power of sin and death.

Keep Battling Improper Desires

Galatians 5:16 reads: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is urging the believers in the Galatian churches to live in accordance with the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than giving in to the desires of their flesh, which is often associated with sinful behaviors and actions. By following the Spirit, believers can resist the temptation to engage in sinful actions and instead pursue righteousness and holiness.

The phrase “walk by the Spirit” refers to living one’s life in a way that is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer in Jesus Christ. The “flesh” refers to the sinful nature that is present in all people apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. This verse encourages believers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome their sinful nature and live a life that is pleasing to God.

Ephesians 5:3-4 reads: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

In these verses, the apostle Paul addresses the believers in the church at Ephesus and reminds them of the high standard of conduct that is expected of God’s people. He lists several behaviors that are inappropriate for believers, including sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking. These behaviors are incompatible with the holiness and righteousness that God requires of His people.

Instead of engaging in such behaviors, Paul exhorts the believers to give thanks to God, which is a fitting response for those who have been saved by God’s grace and are living as His holy people. The emphasis in these verses is on the importance of living a life that is pure and honorable, reflecting the character of God and bringing Him glory.

1 Corinthians 10:13 reads: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is encouraging the believers in the Corinthian church to trust in God’s faithfulness and provision during times of temptation. He reminds them that temptation is a common experience for all people and that God will not allow them to be tempted beyond their ability to bear it.

The phrase “way out” refers to the means of escape or deliverance that God provides for believers when they are tempted. This does not mean that believers will never face temptation, but rather that God will provide them with the strength and resources they need to resist it and overcome it.

The overall message of this verse is one of hope and encouragement, reminding believers that they are not alone in their struggles with temptation and that God is always present to help them through it.

1 Peter 5:9 reads: “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

In this verse, the apostle Peter addresses believers who are facing various forms of suffering and temptation, and he encourages them to resist the enemy, who is often personified as a lion in the Bible. He exhorts them to stand firm in their faith and to trust in God’s faithfulness and provision, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

The phrase “same kinds of suffering” indicates that the believers in the first century, like believers throughout history, faced a variety of challenges and struggles. However, Peter reminds them that they are not alone in their suffering but are part of a global community of believers who are also experiencing similar challenges.

Overall, this verse encourages believers to persevere in the face of suffering and temptation, trusting in God’s faithfulness and the support and fellowship of their fellow believers.

Never Let Your Hand Down

Philippians 3:16 reads: “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

In this verse, the apostle Paul is encouraging the believers in the church at Philippi to continue in the progress they have made in their Christian faith. He urges them to hold fast to the truths and principles they have learned and to remain steadfast in their commitment to following Jesus Christ.

The word “attain” in this verse refers to the progress or advancement that believers have made in their faith journey. It suggests that they have made some progress in understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus but that there is still more to be learned and experienced.

Overall, this verse encourages believers to stay focused and committed to their faith, even when it is difficult, and to continue growing and learning as followers of Jesus.