Learn More about God
WHAT DOES SAYING “YES” TO JESUS MEAN?
You probably have an opinion about Jesus. Maybe you think He’s a great teacher or a prophet. Maybe you think He didn’t exist at all. Whatever you believe, we can probably agree that Jesus changed things. We believe He wants to change you too, and that he’s paved the way back to God for you.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well."
Saying Yes to Jesus as the way to God is not an exclusive path to God, it’s completely inclusive. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, no matter where you were born or the color of your skin, Jesus is the way for you to have a relationship with God. Everybody’s invited. Everybody’s included. Everybody’s important.
So how do you actually become a Christian?
You just have to take a few simple steps:
"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."
That’s it!
Confess with your mouth. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord…that God raised him from the dead, and your sins are forgiven and your relationship with God is begun. Do that, and you’re a Christian.
When you trust Jesus as your savior, you walk into the fullness of God’s love. Gradually, over time, God’s love changes you as you follow Jesus. You change because you’re loved, not in order to be loved.
Through His death on the cross, and then coming back from the dead, Jesus took all of your wrong and gave you all of His right.
If you believe that and commit to following Him, your life will never be the same. It’s as simple as repenting of your sin, declaring you want to follow Jesus, and believing He is who He says He is.
Believing in Jesus is the first step on the greatest journey of your life. You haven’t finished the race—you’ve just gotten started.
Have you trusted Jesus with your life?
WHY AND HOW SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE?
Practical ways to connect with God 👆
You can’t have a close relationship with someone you never talk to. It’s impossible. God’s word—the Bible—is the primary way He speaks to us. And it’s the absolute best way to discover how to follow Jesus on a daily basis. If you want to know more about God and His promises, reading the Bible is your next step.
You can download the YouVersion bible app for free for your phone or tablet. Also, stop by THE HUB at one of our campuses on a Sunday to get a free hard copy of the Bible on us.
Then start reading. 10 minutes a day.
We suggest starting with The Gospel of John and then reading Romans.
WHAT IS BAPTISM AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Baptism is an act of faith and obedience to publicly share your commitment to following Jesus. Baptism does not “save” you — only your faith in Jesus does that.
It is a public declaration of faith:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9
It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection:
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.”
-Colossians 2:12
It illustrates your new life as a Christian:
“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!” –2 Corinthians 5:17
Check out Helina and Cam's Story 👇
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
You’re not alone! The journey of exploration in faith never ends, and we’re all trying to get to a better place of understanding.
That’s why we do Alpha at Echo. Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Typically run over eleven weeks, each session looks at a different question that people can have about faith and is designed to create conversation.
It’s just an open, informal and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.