We have been blessed and fortunate to have worked with our local detention center for a decade. During that time, we have been able to teach numerous classes there, establish positive contacts with both inmates & staff, and baptize those who responded to the Lord’s Invitation by obeying the Gospel. We are working to improve our follow up system for when someone exits our local detention center either by having served their time or by being transferred, we still attempt to have a relationship with those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. This highlights the importance of not only obeying the Gospel, but by strengthening our faith daily once we have been baptized. Paul Sain, in his resource entitled, “Ready Reference for Growing Christians, Facts & Scriptures on 100 Biblical Subjects,” directs us to what God expects after baptism.
Things To Remember:
1. You are a babe in Christ: 1 Peter 2:2, I Corinthians 3:1-2.
2. You have changed: II Corinthians 5:17, I Peter 1:22-23.
3. Growth is essential: II Peter 1:5-12, II Peter 3:18.
4. Possibility of falling: Galatians 5:4, I John 2:1-2.
5. You represent Jesus Christ: I Timothy 4:12, II Corinthians 3:2 .
6. You Must Follow Christ: I Peter 2:21, Hebrews 12:1-2.
God Wants You to:
1. Put Him first: Matthew 6:33, 10:37, 22:37.
2. Study, learn His Word: II Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11, II Peter 3:18.
3. Obey Him faithfully: Matthew 7:21, Hebrews 5:8-9, Luke 6:46.
4. Talk to Him in Prayer: Philippians 4:6-7, I Thessalonians 5:17, I Timothy 2:8.
5. Worship Him acceptably: John 4:24, Acts 20:7, Hebrews 10:25-27.
6. Help teach & save others: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, John 15:1-8.
We should always be focused on leading others to Christ by Scripture and be ready to assist those who wish to be baptized into Christ. However, we must be also be just as eager to guide those new Christians & growing Christians once they have been baptized. We never want those who obey the Gospel to struggle with the question, “After Baptism, what then?”
