1 Corinthians 9:19-27 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

While it is truly a glorious time of rejoicing when a person decides to put on Christ in baptism, all too often they are left with a lingering question that needs an answer: Now that I have been baptized, what do I do next? It then becomes our responsibility, as seasoned Christians to help answer that question for them. The answer to this question can very well become the anchor that holds the new Christian from falling away in his or her spiritual infancy. We must be clear as to the things that we instruct these new babes to do at this important stage. First of all they must love God with all their being so as to adhere to His protection. Then they must fervently study the Word so as to make it a part of who they are. They must stand firm in prayer to keep their minds clear and focused. They must not forsake the assembling together with the other saints, so as to gain encouragement and training. And lastly, they must begin to seek and save the lost so as to show their excitement to those around them and fulfill the “Great Commission” of Matthew 28. It is at this time in their spiritual life that the new Christians are most vulnerable, but these things will help keep them grounded and prepared at all times.

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 Now that I’m Baptized, What’s Next? May 30, 2010: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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