Session 3 - Our Faith

Congratulations on making the decision to be baptized! This is a powerful and important step in your walk with Jesus. The Encounter Church Baptism Class is designed to help you better understand the foundation of the Christian faith, what it truly means to follow Jesus, and the significance of baptism in the life of a believer. 

At Encounter Church, we believe Christianity is not about religion or routine, but about a real relationship with Jesus that transforms your life. Baptism is a public declaration of that transformation. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change and a bold step of obedience as you identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Our prayer is that this class strengthens your faith, deepens your understanding of God’s love, and encourages you as you continue following Jesus.

At Encounter Church, faith isn’t a checklist. It’s at the very center of everything we do. It shapes how we live, love, serve, and follow Jesus. In this session, we’ll share the core of what we believe and what it really means to be a Christian.

Faith in Jesus doesn’t just change your Sunday.
it transforms your eternity.

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?

Being a Christian is more than going to church or trying to be “good.” It’s about having a real relationship with Jesus, and following Him every day.

How Do You Become a Christian?

It’s not about checking religious boxes or trying to be “good enough.” It’s about stepping into a relationship with Jesus, a relationship that changes everything from the inside out. Day by day, step by step!

Jesus didn’t die to make you religious.
He died to make you His.

1. Recognize the Problem: Sin Separates Us From God

We were made for a relationship with God, but sin broke that connection.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

Sin isn’t just the “big” stuff. It’s anything that goes against God’s perfect will. This is anything from pride, selfishness, lies and rebellion.

Sin doesn’t make you "bad".
it makes you spiritually dead.

Think of a branch cut off from a tree. It might look alive for a while, however, it will no longer be able to produce fruit...  it’s actually dying. That’s us apart from God. We need to be brought back to life.

2. Understand God’s Love and Solution: Jesus

God didn’t leave us in our mess. He loved us too much. That’s why He sent His son, Jesus.

“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.” John 3:16

Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He died the death we deserved. He took our punishment so we could be forgiven and reconnected to God.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus took your place so you could take your place in His family.

3. Respond Personally: Believe and Surrender

Salvation isn’t automatic. It’s a gift you have to receive. And it’s more than believing facts, it’s giving your whole life to Him. Many people know about God, our goal is for you to actually know Him!

"If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. " Romans 10:9

This means:

• Turning away from your old life (repentance)
• Placing your full trust in Jesus (faith)
• Letting Him lead your life (lordship)

Jesus doesn’t want a part of your life.
He wants the whole thing.

4. Experience New Life: Born Again

When you entrust Jesus with your life, you are born again. Not physically, but spiritually. You become a new person.

"Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’"John 3:3
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

This isn’t just a fresh start. It’s a new identity. You’re no longer defined by your past, your sin, or your shame. You’re a child of God! Fully forgiven, eternally secure. This is the good news of the gospel!

The Simple Gospel Response: A Prayer of Faith

You don’t need fancy words, just a sincere heart. It often begins with a prayer like this:

“Jesus, I admit that I’ve sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died and rose again to save me. I choose to repent from my old ways and follow You. Be my Savior, my Lord, and my best friend. I give You my life, make me new. Amen.”

Following Jesus doesn’t begin with perfection.
it begins with surrender.

What’s Next? Start Walking with Jesus

Becoming a Christian is the starting line, not the finish line. From here, you grow through prayer, reading God’s Word, baptism, connecting with believers, and living out your faith daily. You’ve been born again. Now it’s time to grow.

Salvation is instant.
Discipleship is a lifelong adventure.

What is Baptism and Why Do We Baptize in Water?

At Encounter Church, we see water baptism as more than just a ritual, it’s a bold step of obedience and a powerful moment of declaring your new identity in Jesus. This isn’t about following tradition. It’s about stepping into transformation and showing the whole world "I am a new creation!"

Baptism is not a graduation ceremony. It’s the starting line of a brand new life in Christ.

1. Because Jesus Told Us To

Baptism wasn’t invented by people. It was modeled by Jesus, commanded by Him to us, and practiced by the early church.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...” Matthew 28:19-20

Even Jesus was baptized, not because He needed forgiveness, but to show us the example we’re called to follow.

2. Baptism Is a Public Declaration of a Personal Decision

Going under the water says, “My old life is buried with Christ.”

‍Coming up from the water declares, “I’ve been raised into a brand-new life with Him!”

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that... we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

Baptism doesn’t save you. Jesus does. But baptism is how you publicly tell the world, “I belong to Him now.” Think of it like a wearing a wedding ring. it doesn’t make you married, but it tells everyone you are.

3. Baptism Symbolizes a Clean Break from the Past

The word baptize means “to immerse” or “to submerge.” That’s why we baptize by full immersion, just like the early church. It’s a beautiful picture of dying to sin and rising into a brand new life.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”  Acts 2:41
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3

Who Should Be Baptized?

Anyone who has personally decided to follow Jesus. It’s not a decision someone else can make for you. That’s why we don’t baptize infants at Encounter Church, but we do dedicate babies to God.

Baptism is an outward demonstration
of an inward change.

Conclusion

Congratulations again on taking this important step in your faith journey. Baptism is not the finish line, it is the beginning of a life fully surrendered to Jesus. Our prayer is that you continue to grow in your relationship with Him, stay connected to the church, and boldly live out your faith every day. Welcome to the journey.