We'd like to introduce you to the greatest Friend you could ever know. We want to help you learn more about Him and become all He created you to be. We are also here to serve you and to help you serve others. May the Lord bless you as you worship, study and grow with us!
It is our desire to help lead you into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to encourage you to grow in the knowledge of Him. Do you know Him? Have you heard the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ? If you have not, please keep reading. This is THE most important decision you will ever make.
The Problem
God created human beings to be with Him, to fellowship with Him. Unfortunately, we as human beings have a natural tendency to try to do things our own way. Many times our own way is in conflict with the way God wants us to be. When we do things our own way and not God's way, it is called sin. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Everyone on earth has sinned. This sin separates us from God. Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death". The price that has to be paid for sin is death. Everyone is accountable for his or her own sin. Ezekiel 18:20 puts it this way: "The soul who sins shall die".
The Solution
Again, God never intended for us to be separated from Him. But we as human beings chose to sin. However, don't worry! God has a plan. His plan gives us life. This life comes through Jesus Christ. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved".
The Promise
Because the wages of sin is death, and the soul who sins shall die, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die in your place. Jesus' death on the cross paid the price for your sin and mine. Because the cost has been paid, we no longer have to pay it ourselves. Isn't that great? But understand this: we must go to God to ask forgiveness for our sin.
When we quoted Romans 6:23 above, we only quoted the first half of the verse. The rest of the verse says, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". Even though we deserve death, God wants to give us life. He is holding a gift in His hands, and He is holding this gift out to you. This gift is Jesus Christ. Because Jesus came to Earth and died on the cross in your place, you no longer have to be separated from God when you die. Because Jesus rose from the grave and conquered the power of sin, He can wash away your sin that you have committed. You can't earn this gift; it's free. Have you ever paid money for something that is free? If you have, you paid too much. What do you have to do to receive this gift?
Recognize that you have sinned.
Do you see a pattern in your life of rejecting God and all that He has done and wants to do in your life? You need to realize the fact that you can't do it on your own, and that God has a plan for your life.
Recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came and paid the price of your sin for you.
Hebrews 7:27 says, "for this He did once and for all when He offered up Himself". Jesus' death was what it took to pay for the sins of the world and our sins as individuals.
Recognize the need to change your direction.
You have probably heard the word "repent" before. It may even seem like a negative thing to you. But in reality, all that the word "repent" means is to change direction 180 degrees, from your own way to God's way. Turn around and walk away from your sin. The Apostle Peter said in Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".
Recognize that you need to receive God's free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me". Jesus is the only way to renew your relationship with God. God is reaching out to you through His son, Jesus Christ. He wants you to have new life through Christ.
The Prayer
Do you recognize these things in your life? Do you want to do something about it? 2 Corinthians 6:2 says "Behold, now is the appointed time; behold, now is the day of salvation". There really is no time like the present. The first step in doing something about it is to simply come to God in prayer. Admit to Him that you are a sinner, that you need Jesus to save you from your sins. Tell God that you want to turn away from the direction you have been going, and come to Jesus. There is no magic formula, simply talk to God. If you aren't sure what to say, here is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I turn from my sin and I turn to you by faith right now. Forgive me for all of it. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit. I want to be Your disciple. Help me to follow You from this time forward. Thank You for Your offer of forgiveness. I gladly accept it now. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
If you have just prayed that prayer, you are saved! You have not only been forgiven of your sins, but you have new life in Jesus. Go and tell someone about it. We would love to know about it here at Faith First. Call Pastor Terry Sullivan at Faith First, (904) 638-6550, or you can e-mail Pastor Terry at faithfirstchurch@aol.com. He will be happy to talk with you about the decision you have just made.
What We Also Believe
It is imperative that in the essentials we find unity; in the non-essentials we find liberty, in both we find charity (love).
~ St. Augustine
Faith First Community Church is a fellowship of believers that is centered on worshipping the one, true, living God. We are a church that is diverse and holds no limits to what God can do through people's lives.
We believe in the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.
We accept the Bible as God's infallible word, inerrant in the original manuscripts and our only rule of faith and practice.
We accept Jesus Christ as God's divine Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, virgin born, who died on the cross as a substitution sacrifice for our sin. He arose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He is now our interceding High Priest. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin. We have all sinned in our own right and need a Savior to save us from the penalty for our sins. Salvation is by God's grace through faith in Christ.
The Church is a company of believers, who by the influence of the Holy Spirit were baptized into one body. We accept as Christians those who have asked Jesus Christ into their lives and have asked Him to forgive them for their sins. We baptize by immersion
only.
