"... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
The Bible says that the God of the Universe became a man, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the cross for your sins and mine so that we could be set free. After three days, Christ rose from the dead to take back the power that Satan held. Jesus' life was a fulfillment of over 300 Old Testament prophecies. The chance of one man fulfilling only 8 of the prophecies is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. Therefore, the fact that Jesus fulfilled over 300 concludes that His life was not a chance happening, but divinely orchestrated. The proofs that Christ came back to life from death and was the Son of God were so convincing, that the early Christians gave their lives rather than deny that Jesus as their Savior.
The apostle Peter was a fisherman who traveled with Jesus for more than three years, listening to His teaching and observing His life. Peter was one of Jesus’ first followers and became one of His closest friends. In a letter Peter wrote to churches late in his life, he said, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
The Book of Acts in the New Testament, records a simple and clear presentation Peter gave about Jesus Christ to a Roman named Cornelius:
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen-by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Peter said that God wants to forgive us and bring peace into our lives. Jesus Christ opens the way to peace-peace with God and peace with others. Other people have sinned against us, and we have sinned against other people. We can do something about both-by asking God to forgive our sins and forgiving others for their sins against us.
The life of Christ calls for a decision. Was He just a great teacher and spiritual leader? Or was He who He claimed to be - the Son of God who has the power to forgive sin and grant everlasting life to all who will believe on Him? Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Life has only two roads, and we are on one of them. One leads to death and eternal punishment-the other to everlasting life and abundance.
Perhaps you’re thinking that if God was a good God, than He will overlook your sins?
Let’s talk about this for a moment. If you knew a human judge who turned a blind eye to the crimes of a guilty rapist... would you describe him as a "good" judge?
No. That would be a "corrupt" judge.
A good God could never be a corrupt judge.
The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all have broken at least one of God's commandments (Do Not lie, steal, murder, look at a woman/man to lust after them, etc.). So, if God were to judge us by those commandments, we would inevitably be guilty as charged.
But Imagine for a moment...
You are in front of a judge. You are guilty of several serious crimes. All the evidence has been given and there is no doubt about it, you are guilty. Your apologies and all the good things you’ve done cannot erase your crimes. Therefore, according to the law, you must be punished. The fine for your crime is $250,000,000 or imprisonment, but you don’t have two pennies to rub together. The judge is about to pass sentence when someone you don't even know, steps in, and pays your fine for you! The court accepts the money and declares that you are free to go. The law has been satisfied, your debt has been paid in full, and the stranger’s sacrifice was a demonstration of his love for you.
That’s what God did for you 2000 years ago through Jesus Christ.
You can receive God's free gift and have all your sins paid for in full by accepting Christ as your Savior right now, this moment! You don’t have to be in a church or in any special place, or even have the help of a minister or priest.
You can pray now, wherever you are. God is listening. Tell Him in your own words that you are sorry for your sins and that you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Ask God to help you change your heart and life. He wants to do that for you, and it’s your prayer He wants to hear. It’s not enough to just say the words. You must mean it from your heart. If you are not accustomed to praying, you may need an example. The following prayer is intended as a guide line. Begin talking to God and he will hear your prayer:
God,
I know I have sinned. I believe Your Son, Jesus Christ, died in my place
and took the punishment for my sin. He has paid the penalty.
I believe Jesus came back to life from death and has the power to forgive my sin and change my life.
So now I ask you Lord to Forgive me. Come into my life and change me.
I want to live for You and follow Your plan for my life. I believe You have forgiven me. I accept your forgiveness, and I thank You for hearing my prayer, and choosing to be my savior.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
God has forgiven you if you prayed this prayer and meant it from your heart. God knew before you were born that you would receive His Son as your Savior. Now you can begin the life He has planned for you! Step by step God will lead you to what He has chosen for you. He will show you the way to live and will teach you each day as you grow spiritually and become the person He planned for you to be. He will show you your divine purpose.
Please, let us know that you have accepted Christ as your Savior. You can email us at SouthLaneChristianCenter@yahoo.com or fill out our I Believe form. We would like to send you some free stuff to help you in this journey of getting to know Jesus and growing spiritually.
An important part of a life with Jesus is fellowshipping (Fellowship: church word for getting to know and hanging out) with other Christians. The bible says not to “neglect the fellowship of the saints.” We would love to meet you or help you get plugged into a church in your local area. So, stop on by or let us know where your from via email so we can help you in finding a place of fellowship.
