The Plan of Salvation

Thank God for your faith and obedience so far. Get ready now, to take more steps of faith that will bless your life forever!
Pastor Michael

 Click here to download information on receiving full salvation.

STEPS FOR REPENTANCE

 

Confess your sins. ~  II Corinthians 7:10
Ask for forgiveness ~ 1 John 1:9
Be willing to turn away from sin and stop sinning (Don’t worry, God will give you the strength to do this) ~ Isaiah 55:7

Acts238_a

In repentance you identify with Jesus’ death, This is done by deciding to turn away from and ending a lifestyle of sin – essentially dying to your old way of life. Because true repentance is confessing and forsaking sin, this first step is huge and must be genuinely done. In other words you must willingly turn from your old life of sin and turn to a new life in Jesus. Your decision to be a disciple of Christ is the greatest decision you will ever make.  Congratulations!

Once you genuinely repent, you are completely forgiven. Don’t let guilt; condemnation and shame from your past enter your mind or heart.  When God forgives you, it’s a done deal!  Romans 8:1; Hebrews 8:12

 

STEPS FOR BAPTISM

Biblical baptism is by immersion in water in the name of Jesus. Mark 1:9,10; Acts 8:36-39; Colossians 2:12; St. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, Acts 19:5

In baptism you identify with Jesus’ burial. You are placed in the water just as Jesus was buried in the tomb. You are “buried” in the water. Don’t fear, going under the water is quick, done in seconds. When you are submerged in water, baptism is an outward act that people can witness, but it represents your inward obedience to the word of God and your willingness to be Jesus’ disciple.

Be mindful that you will change clothes so the clothes you wore to church won’t get wet. Also when going under the water briefly hold your breath.

STEPS TO RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

You identify with Jesus in his resurrection when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What will Happen To Me?

When you receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God will dwell or live in you.

Why Do I Need The Holy Spirit?

The Spirit of God in you is the power to overcome temptation and all sin and to live pleasing to God in this life and the guarantee of eternal blessings in the life hereafter.

The Spirit of God will give you understanding of spiritual principles. 1 Corinthians 2:14

The Spirit of God will make you ready for the coming of the Lord.
Romans 8:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Spirit of God is what brings an inward change as you follow His direction.
2 Corinthians 5:17

What You Need To Know

Believing in God and repenting are vital before receiving the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 16:16; Hebrews 11:6

The Holy Spirit is a gift and promise from God to be received when you use faith.
Acts 2:38, 39; Ephesians 2:8

It is the Spirit of God that guides you to speak in the unlearned heavenly language. Acts 2:4
It is a miracle when the Holy Spirit takes over a small but unruly part of you (the tongue).
James 3:5, 8

You’ll know you have the Holy Spirit when you speak in an unknown and unstudied language.
Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6; Mark 16:17

It is not unusual to feel the presence of God during the Holy Spirit experience. Sometimes you’ll feel the overwhelming love of God, you may cry. The presence of God can lead you to jump and shout. Some may feel a great sense of calm or peace. Even though these feelings and responses are powerful and real, remember the evidence of the Holy Spirit is speaking in unknown tongues.

You must get to the point where you completely trust God, and allow him to take control. God knows what He’s doing in your life, will never hurt you, and wants to bless you.

Hindrances In Receiving The Holy Spirit:
• Fear
• Not surrendering your heart or will to God
• Something’s in your life (sin, anger, not forgiving, shacking up)
• Not repentant
• Lack of trust
• Unbelief & Doubt
• Lukewarm desire for the Holy Spirit
• Thoughts bombard your mind or other distractions cause you to be unfocused
• Struggles with the idea of releasing control to God – someone other than themselves.

What You Need To Do

1. Ask God, in JESUS name for the gift of the Holy Spirit. John 14:13-14; Romans 10:8

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

2. Begin praising the Lord by saying hallelujah.
This is the highest praise you can give to God. Praising God will bring you into His presence. While praising God out of your mouth, thank Him for what He’s done for you (forgave you of sin, etc., etc.). You can also thank God in advance for what He’s about to do for you
(give you the Holy Spirit).
Psalms 22:3, 50:23, 71:6-7

Psalm 22:26
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

3. The Holy Spirit will shortly guide you away from praise urging and prompting you to attempt to talk to God in a language you’ve never spoken before. Don’t stop it, even if what you hear sounds strange or like stammering. Receive by faith!
Galatians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 14:2,14

Isaiah 28:11
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
An infant who is learning how to speak progresses from words like mama or dada to mommy and daddy. This is somewhat comparable to stammering where you’ll speak portions of words and phrases and then finally full clear sentences in your heavenly language.

4. The same way you use your voice, tongue, teeth, and mouth to speak English, is the same way you will speak in the unknown tongue.
Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4

5. Refuse to speak English. Continue to talk from your spirit empowered by the Holy Spirit until your language is clear, fluent, expressive, and flowing from your heart in love, worship and adoration to God.

The more you speak and surrender your heart and will to God; the more words and phrases you will say. You will be speaking praises unto God in your heavenly language.

When you hear yourself speaking clearly in a language, you can know for yourself that God has put His Spirit in you! Praise God!
Acts 2:11

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

* Speaking in tongues is the outward manifested evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Your consistent life in the Spirit through prayer and the Word of God will give evidence through the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) shown in your life.  The Fruit of the Spirit, characteristics of Christ, shown in your practical day-to-day living shows people that you really have been born again!  You don’t have to wear a sign or carry around a huge Bible. Boldly and lovingly let your new light shine, that will be proof enough that you have been born again.