The Lord Jesus said:

"Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

To simply receive assurance of salvation the Bible says:

1. Hear the Word (Jesus the Savior)
2. Admit you have sinned
3. Believe the Word
4. Repent of your sin
5. Obey his gentle commands
6. Rest in the peace that is in him

"Lord Jesus, I pray right now believing not only that you exist, but also that you are Creator, Lord and Savior of the world as the Bible, the divine Word of God, says. I believe that you died for my sins, were buried and were raised to life on the 3^rd day. Forgive me for my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."

Hold to Jesus no matter what
Read the Bible (The written Word of God to man)
Pray or rather simply talk with the Lord
Fellowship with other believers
Look for a church

There are those of us who have experienced the emptiness and hopelessness from being isolated seemingly from everyone. We did our best in a world that condemned us because we dealt with issues that either they could not or maybe even would not try to understand. We felt lost and had no idea what, where or how to do anything and make a difference in our lives. What can be found is that we somehow in our desperate circumstances, we heard the message of Jesus once more and it finally not only made sense, but it made all the difference. Though Jesus was God's son, he was also the step son of a working man, simple, basic and truthful. When he walked the earth he went telling a simple message that changed people’s lives in miraculous ways. Take Jesus’ disciples for instance, they were ordinary men much like us today, but whatever it was that Jesus told them was so important to them that they all gave their lives his message and living for him. Jesus brought us the message of God’s Love in many ways: he spoke of it; He showed it when he healed the sick and provided for those in need; and then he gave himself to take our punishment. The fact that he died for us is important, but more important is that he physically rose again that showed the one who cared so much for us is not only able to do anything for us, but that he will.

One thing anyone may see when they read the stories about Jesus and the letters among people of the early church, the word BELIEVE comes out many, many times. It is because for any good to come from Jesus’ message, not only does one have to hear, but they must believe it. Each one of us who know him can testify that once we chose to believe what we knew about Jesus, our lives began to change for the better. Some results of this were miraculous and God changed lives completely in one act for the good, and in other cases results may have come slowly, but they were certainly from God also. You can have a life with meaning and purpose, a life that you are once again in control of. God will give you the power to once again build your life and fill it with good, meaningful and rewarding things if you will only believe. No one is asking you for an enormous act of self control or determination to change everything or anything about yourself, because we couldn't do it either. We simply didn’t have the strength in ourselves to change anything. Jesus said to actively believe and it will make all the difference.

Please, just believe!

* Those who cannot agree with this statement do not hold to the basic tenets Christ’s message and the teachings of the early church.

"I believe in God the Father Almighty. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was born by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary; was crucified under Pontious Pilate and was buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Church; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body (flesh)."

The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired of God and is the revelation of God to mankind, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 43:10,11 Matthew 28:19 Luke 3:22)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:

Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)

Mankind's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Conditions to Salvation: Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7).

The Evidence of Salvation: The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Reference: Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12)

Baptism in Water: The Scriptures command the ordinance of baptism by immersion. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4)

Holy Communion: The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4, a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26 and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26 and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowing of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-16; Acts 15:7-9)

With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as: an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20)

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28)

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "You be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15,16)

Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-11; Romans 6:13; Romans 8:1,2; Romans 8:13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5)

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. (Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 2:22 Hebrews 12:23)

Since God's purpose concerning mankind is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by mankind, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the reason to support your church is: to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16), to be a corporate body in which people may worship God. (1 Corinthians 12:13), and to be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28;1 Corinthians 14:12).

Our Lord has provided a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: evangelization of the world. (Mark 16:15-20), the worship of God. (John 4:23,24), and building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

The Second Coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel. (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27), and the establishment of universal peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalms 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4)

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8)

"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth where the righteousness shall dwell." (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21; Revelation 22)

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Contact Information

Jennifer at the email: tiklme2ok@yahoo.com

Jennifer E. Bentley P.O. Box 1355 Gautier, MS 39553

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Last Revised: 04 May 2003