"AFTER BAPTISM, WHAT THEN?"

INTRODUCTION
  1. Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of Christ in baptism...
    1. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
    2. They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Tit 3:5-7
  2. Indeed, by God's grace they are "saved"...
    1. Saved from their past sins - cf. Mk 16:16
    2. With sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16; Ep 1:7
    3. Becoming heirs according to hope of eternal life - Tit 3:7
  3. Yet in another sense, they are still to be "saved"...
    1. They must make their call and election sure - 2Pe 1:10
    2. They must be careful to save themselves - cf. 1Ti 4:16
    3. They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10

[What is one to do after baptism that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some...]

  1. THINGS TO REMEMBER
    1. YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE...
      1. By virtue of being in Christ - 2Co 5:17
      2. Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4
      -- God has given you new potential for living!
    2. YOU ARE A BABE IN CHRIST...
      1. We begin our new life as "babes in Christ" - 1Co 3:1
      2. We start with spiritual "milk" - 1Co 3:2
      -- God allows you time to grow! - cf. He 5:12-14
    3. YOU ARE IN A CRITICAL PERIOD...
      1. As a babe, you can be easily "tossed about" - cf. Ep 4:14
      2. Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service - e.g., Mt 4:1-11
      -- Satan would love to see you fail! - cf. 1Pe 5:8
    4. YOU FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF FALLING...
      1. If you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14
      2. Especially when you think you are strong - 1Co 10:12
      -- God can be trusted to help us through temptations - cf. 1Co 10:13; 1Jn 2:1-2
    5. YOU ARE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE...
      1. An example of those who believe - 1Ti 4:12
      2. An example in both deed and word - Tit 2:7
      -- Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for Christ - cf. Php 3:17

    [Remembering such things will certainly help keep one strong in the faith. Also helpful are...]

  2. THINGS TO DO
    1. PUT GOD FIRST...
      1. Love Him with all your being - Mt 22:37
      2. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33
      -- This will ensure that you do all that is necessary to remain faithful!
    2. STUDY THE WORD OF GOD...
      1. Long for the Word, like an infant longs for milk - 1Pe 2:2
      2. Emulate the Bereans in their attitude - Ac 17:11
      -- Receive the Word with meekness, and it will save you! - cf. Jm 1:21
    3. BE FERVENT IN PRAYER...
      1. Jesus has made it possible to approach God's throne - He 4:14-16
      2. Wonderful blessings come through prayer - Php 4:6-7
      -- Be devoted to prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving - cf. Col 4:2
    4. BE DILIGENT IN ASSEMBLING...
      1. We are not to forsake our assembling together - He 10:24-25
      2. It is a time for fellowship, prayer, and on the first day of the week, the Lord's Supper - Ac 2:42; 20:7; 1Co 11:23-26
      -- Neglecting the assemblies is a symptom of spiritual stagnation!
    5. HELP SAVE OTHERS...
      1. The Lord wants His disciples to make more disciples - Mt 28:19-20
      2. Those diligent in saving others are more likely to save themselves - cf. 1Co 9:19-27
      -- Lose your enthusiasm for saving souls, and you may lose your own!
CONCLUSION
  1. While not meant to be exhaustive, these are just a few...
    1. Things to remember
    2. Things to do
    -- That may be helpful for someone recently baptized
  2. But not just for new Christians; for any Christian...
    1. Who has left their "first love" - Re 2:4
    2. For they should "repent and do the first works" - Re 2:5
    -- These are some of the "first works" that one needs to do

Are you in need of doing the "first works"...? Perhaps you even need to obey the "first steps" of the gospel of Christ... - cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16