Cherry Hills Baptist Church

What It Means To Follow Jesus
God's Purpose	God made us in His image for a love relationship. Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16. God gave us purposeful work to do with Him. Genesis 1:28; 2:15-20; Jeremiah 1:5.

Our Problem	We've turned from God & tried to play God. Genesis 3; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10-12. We deny & downplay the seriousness of sin.Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 2:13; 13:23; 17:9,13-14; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 1:18-32; 3:23; 6:23.

God's Answer	God came as one of us in Jesus. Matt 1:21-23; Lk 2:10-11; Jn 1:10-11; Heb 2:14-18; 5:7-9. Jesus died to bring us back to God. Luke 19:10; Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-11; 8:1-39; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 5:18-20.

Our Response	Admit our selfish way & surrender to His control. Matt 4:17; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 3:19; 20:21; 2 Cor 7:10. Receive Jesus & His grace to live a new life. John 1:11-13; Romans 6:23; 10:9-13; 1 John 5:12-13.

God's Call	God gives us His own Spirit to live in us & lead us. John 14:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:29-30; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Jn 4:13-16. God calls us to be Jesus' body in the world. Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:7-27; Gal 5:13-14; Ephesians 2:10, 19-22; 3:10-11; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Prayer	"Dear God, I acknowledge that you made me to know you, to do life with you and to work with you. But I’ve turned away from you and your good purpose. I now understand this is what it means to be a sinner. I’m sorry and I turn from going my own way to go your way. I believe you love me so much that you sent your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so I could be part of your kingdom and your family. Thank you for this gift that opens the door to new life with you. I also receive your gift of the Holy Spirit who can make me like Jesus, and create in me a great love and hunger for your Word, the Bible. Come in, by your Spirit and cleanse me. Come in as my Lord, and lead me from this moment on. I trust myself to you and give myself to your church. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Why Be Baptized By Immersion

What if I was baptized as an infant?	It’s no small thing to us, and we bless parents who want their children to live under God’s grace and blessing - but in the Bible, Jesus blessed, but never baptized infants or children (Mark 10:16). This is a big part of why we practice believers’ baptism.

What is believers' baptism?	The Bible repeatedly describes this pattern: “they believed & were baptized” (Acts 18:8). Notice, they weren’t baptized until they believed - something an infant is incapable of doing (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:15, 33; 19:5). In believers’ baptism, we wait until a person trusts in Jesus.
So, if you were sprinkled as an infant or child, thank God (and your parents) for giving you this blessing, but reaffirm your faith in Jesus and be baptized as a believer by immersion.
What's baptism by immersion?	The New Testament Greek word for “baptize” (baptize) literally means to “immerse,” “submerge” or “place under.” Baptizo is also used to describe sunken ships, drowned men or fabric dyed another color. Immersion = going under the water.

Why do we baptize by immersion?	Besides honoring its literal meaning and imitating Jesus’ baptism (where He came up out of the water - Mark 1:10), immersion offers an accurate picture. As we lay back, go under and come up out of the water, we reenact Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for us (Romans 6:3-4).

Is baptism a command or a suggestion?	It’s a command. Even Jesus Himself took this seriously (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41). By our obedience, we give witness to His saving work and leadership in our lives. Where are you? Have you ignored, never understood or balked at Jesus’ command? If you have more questions - any of the pastors would be glad to speak with you and help you process this important decision.

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