All In: Pre Baptism ResourceSample

Day 2: What do I believe?

What would you say if you were to ask yourself the question" What do I believe about God and His Word"? It could feel impossible to boil it all down into one word or phrase. Or you may find yourself unsure of how to answer that question.

First let's start with the foundation. What is the Gospel? When we read Scripture, we can learn that the word “Gospel” is translated to mean “Good News”. The Gospel is God’s Word- a proclamation to the world that God came to do something big, something life altering, something no one else had ever and would ever be able to do. His plan was to save us because He didn't want us to be separated from Him. That's good news!

So why is this important to understand on your journey toward baptism? John 3:16-17 serves as a monumental scripture passage because it answers the question as to why God came to the earth and endured a horrible death on a cross. It sums up the Good News of the Gospel and is a springboard into understanding the overall picture God paints of His great love for us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The Good News is that God sent His best gift to earth to save us. And the only way we could be saved was through Him. That’s the Good News we are promised today! When we recognize we are a sinner and that we need a Savior (like we talked about on Day 1), we are promised eternal life when we accept that gift. Romans 1:17 says in the NLT,

“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight!”

In other words, God has taken our sin on Himself so that we can be made free of sin. Belief in God, His Word and His saving power must be a monumental stepping stone of our faith.

While on earth, Jesus made sure that His followers understood the immense importance of believing in Him. And we too, must hear His words and believe them. This is why Jesus said,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”- John 14:6

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11: 25-26

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”
John 10:11

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
John 6:35

Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe His words? Do you believe He died on the cross and took on your sins so that you could have eternal life? Can you answer the question that Jesus asked Peter in Matthew 16:15-16?

“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16

If you can answer that question and believe He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, then you have accepted the Good News! You are ready to take the next steps to follow Him!

Reflection:

• What is one area of unbelief you have wrestled with in your faith journey?
• How have you seen God work in that area of unbelief?
• In your own words, answer the same question Jesus asked Peter in Matthew 16. “Who do you say I [Jesus] am?”