Where Do I Go To From Here? Part 2 by Stormcrow

Up until now, we have been discussing the situation that all of those who follow Jesus and accept him as their savior find themselves in initially in very human and worldly terms.

Our relationship with Christ though is more than just a human or worldly relationship; it is a spiritual relationship. Unfortunately, most of us when we first enter our relationships with the Lord are not spiritual beings. As Paul explained to the Corinthians: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 NIV) It is necessary to discuss the situation that we find our selves in as we begin our relationship with Jesus in human terms. It is necessary so that we can establish a common ground and understanding from which to begin a discussion about what the next step should be after you have accepted Christ. At this point though, it is time to consider these things in a more spiritual context. It is time to consider the question before us, to determine what path we should follow, what we should do, now that we have accepted Jesus into our lives and as our savior.

Previously in this discussion it was concluded that every individual's relationship with Jesus is unique, but at the same time there are similarities and constants that exist between one persons relationship with him and another’s. Thus, since there are similarities and constants that exist in this relationship it is possible to look at the relationship others have had with Jesus to see what that relationship looks like, and how to develop such a relationship. There are many places were someone might look to see examples of this relationship, but the best place to start would be the Bible.

Throughout the Bible there are stories concerning the relationship between different people and God, and his son Jesus, both as groups and as individuals. These stories were left as examples and from these examples it is possible to learn about God and his son, who they are and what their nature is. It is possible to learn from these stories of the different relationships that people have had and do have with them, and to see how those relationships developed. Several of these stories were mentioned earlier for consideration and at this time it seem appropriate to discuses one of them, specifically the story of the formation of the first Christian congregation, of those that would believe in Jesus even though they had not known him, in more detail.

The story of coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and of these first believers can be found in the New Testament book of Acts in the second Chapter. After the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus disciples they testified about him to those that were gathered in the city of Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast. Some of those gathered rejected their testimony though and accused them of being drunk, which lead to Peter rebuking them and explaining to them what was happening and who Jesus was. After hearing Peter speak those gathered asked what they should do. Peter’s reply can be found starting in the thirty-eight verse:

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2: 38-39)

Peter told the very first believers in Christ that the first thing they needed to do after recognizing and accepting that Jesus was their Lord and Savior, was to repent and be baptized. This seems simple enough, but few people understand what it means to repent and the concept of what baptism is has become an issue division and tradition, yet these are the first steps in forming a meaningful relationship with Jesus. So it is important to understand what the mean of these actions are.

Repentance is more than someone admitting that they have done something wrong or sinned and asking for forgiveness. True repentance is a remorse for the sins or wrongs that have been done and a desire to turn away from them and to make amends.

When someone truly repents they turn away from the wrongs they have been doing, the sins they have been committing and attempt to make things right. Sometimes that means accepting consequences for the things that have happened. This is where many people start having problems in their relationship with Jesus. Many people have an expectation that if they believe in Jesus and ask him to forgive them that everything is going to get better, and in the long run it will.

The problem is that before things can get better, the consequences of the past have to be dealt with. Forgiveness does not remove the penalty of sins, it prevents those penalties from cutting us off from God, and being able to be with him. Eventually everyone is going to die, this is the ultimate price and penalty of sin. But, those that are forgiven, that have accepted forgiveness made possible through Jesus, this is not the end of the story – they will be raised up and allowed to live with him in Heaven.

As for baptism, in the context of this discussion it is not possible or even logical to discuss what the mechanics of baptism are, nor is such a discussion important at this point. What is important is the metaphysical meaning and purpose of baptism, in what every form it takes. Baptism is a symbol of ones acceptance of the forgiveness that God offers through his son Jesus and a desire to follow him. How every it is preformed that is the meaning and purpose behind it. The forgiveness that God offers is free and open to everyone, but not everyone accepts it, even some of those that know Jesus is the Christ and understand that he died for their sins are unable or unwilling to accept this gift. This is because, once you accept it, once you believe and have faith in it, it drives you to change, to take action.

Many of those that were listening to Peter in Jerusalem that Pentecost accepted this gift, they took action. The writer of Acts tells us what they did after accepting the message that Peter brought them.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)

The writer of acts tells us that these first believers devoted themselves to four things:

- To the apostles’ teaching - they devoted themselves to learning about Jesus, about his life and his teaching and what they meant.
- To fellowship – they devoted themselves to spending time together, and making sure that everyone had the things they needed.
- To the breaking of bread – they devoted themselves to remembering Jesus and the sacrifice he made for them.
- To prayer – they devoted themselves to praying to and praising God.

These were the first steps that the first believers took in developing their relationship with Jesus. Unlike the apostles they hadn’t known Jesus personally, which means that like those us today that hear the message of salvation, the same message that Peter brought to them so long ago, they had to spend time developing their relationship with him. So, perhaps this is the path we should follow once we have accepted Jesus, if nothing else, it should at least give us a starting point in developing our relationship with him.