As we begin day 1, I want to help cultivate your understanding of your newfound faith. As new Christians, we all start off in different places of understanding or knowledge. So as we begin, we will break down some basic concepts that include sin, faith, salvation, and baptism. These four areas are essential for new believers to start at, so let's define and understand each of these areas.

We see that the Bible clearly explains that sin is "Lawlessness" 1 John 3:4 - Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. More specifically, sin is failing to live up to the expected standard and conduct of a perfect God. This includes both internal and external unholy practices, actions, thoughts, and, desires that directly violate God's divine will. Examples can include the 10 commandments in Exodus 20:2–17. As one basic example, Jesus says, if you look at a woman lustfully, you are committing adultery! Matthew 5:27. Examples of sin are all over both the Old and New Testament

Sin entered the world because of Adam and Eve's disobedience to what God commanded them to do. The serpent (devil or satan) tempted Eve and Adam and this temptation led to the action of sin. We know this because Genesis 3, discusses the fall of man and sheds light on how sin entered the world and because of this event, it has condemned all of us. We see the consequence of sin can be found in Romans 5 & 6.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ.

Faith is defined as having complete trust or confidence in something or someone. Christian faith is a required element for anyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior. Apart from faith, it’s impossible to receive and experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Faith is also vital to any believer as they complete their spiritual journey on Earth. We will go deeper into this topic on day 3, but these three verses are a good starting place to help build our understanding of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

God really does love us John 3:16-17 and desires that all come to repentance, meaning a restored relationship with Him. God sent Jesus to fix and restore what was broken. God uses that longing within our hearts and the power of the Holy Spirit to draw us back to Him, but it is our choice at the end, God doesn't force us. God is patient, and He desires to see all saved and restored. He doesn't want any of His children to be separated from Him and that is why it says this in 2 Peter...

2 Peter 3:9  "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

1. What does salvation mean?
2. Why do we need to be saved?
3. How does that happen?
 
Salvation is the process in which Jesus delivers or rescues us from judgment because of our sins. More than likely, when you accepted Jesus, you understood that Jesus has forgiven you for your sin and if you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you will be saved.

1) Sin has caused a separation between man and God. 

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

2) The penalty for sin is death and separation from God, but Jesus died to make us right with God & to give us eternal life.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ

3) Jesus loves us and showed us by dying on the Cross while we were with no hope of being made right by God.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

4) If we confess and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, we will be saved.

Romans 10:9-10  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

When sin first entered the world, its impact was felt throughout all humanity. The consequence of sin was death and separation from God. In God’s perfect understanding, He desired to restore what was broken, so He sent His very own son Jesus to Earth. Jesus, who was God, came to restore the broken relationship between God and man. Jesus took on our sins on the Cross as a perfect sacrifice and paid for the "debt" through His death, so we didn't have to.
 
When Jesus overcame death (which is called resurrection), He conquered the consequences of sin once and for all. Everything about our faith depends on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is only given to those who confess and believe that Jesus is Lord and that He was raised from the dead.
 
When we confess and believe, we are instantly restored to a right standing with God. The process of being made right with God is called salvation. Christian author Bill Hull says it best when he states "The point of salvation isn’t the finish line; instead, it’s the starting line for a lifelong journey." It’s important to note that this new life was given by God’s grace. We did nothing to earn it. Our responsibility within this exchange for eternal life is that we confess, believe, and commit ourselves to follow Jesus. It was a gift freely given to us by God because of His love for us. Jesus gives us new purpose, identity, and eternal destiny. Ultimately, everything about our life changes once we are saved. If we have truly confessed and believed in Christ, there is also a commitment made in the believer to embrace and follow their newfound faith, I call this C.B.C.!

C - Confess - your sin and acknowledge Jesus as your Lord.  
B - Believe - that God raised Jesus from the dead.
C - Commit - is embracing and living out your newfound faith.
 
Colossians 1:21-22  Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

When should a person be baptized?
As soon as a person trusts Christ, he or she should be baptized. In the Scriptures, baptism is completed fairly quickly. I would encourage you to talk with your pastor or mentor this week about it, don't wait. This pattern of somewhat immediate baptism should be emulated. (Acts 22:16)

What does water baptism symbolize?

• The death & resurrection of Jesus.
• The new life in which a Christ follower now walks in.
• Cleansing and washing away of sin.
• It’s a public step of obedience. (Acts 10:47-48)

Through Jesus's example, we see a few things.

• Jesus taught water baptism (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Jesus was water baptized (Matthew 3:5-15)

What water baptism is NOT.

• Water baptism does NOT save you.
• It is NOT a substitution for confession and belief in Jesus.
• It is NOT the cause, but the result of being saved by Jesus.

Baptism Explained:
Baptism is a public and symbolic gesture showing that you have accepted Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord & Savior. Going under the water represents you dying to your old life. Being raised out of the water represents a new birth (spiritual birth) and you are now raised to a new life with Christ. Not only does Jesus command us to baptize during the great commission in Matthew 28, but Jesus Himself was baptized as a model for us to follow.

Question: 
Have you been baptized?
If you haven't, I would encourage you to get with a pastor or spiritual mentor to discuss how.