Hi!
Just thought I'd introduce myself on here, as I'm new to the Christian Only section (yay!), but not the forums hehe.
And I also wanted to ask... where do I go now? I'm reading my bible (I have an NIV version, and e-sword on my pc with about 8 different versions on), but how do I go further? If that makes sense? Any replies are really really appreciated, as I really want to do this properly. I don't generally do things half-heartedly! 'Specially when they're important! Hehe.
d xx
Welcome! It's always so exciting when there's new stuff going on in your life. A couple of things. Some of these are arguable depending on what church you're involved in, but you're asking about how to go further, and the great majority of the Christian population agrees, and most theologies agree, on these things.
Find a church and learn from its teaching and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:18-20)
You're an individual, and Christ has preached repentance and faith to individuals. Christ has also called those with faith into assemblies -- the word's often translated "churches" in the New Testament. If it's possible to find others with true faith in Christ, assemble with them. If you're unsure how to identify them, I would recommend you use the letter of 1 John to help you identify those teachers and churches whose faith is real.
Explain you're a new Christian and, if not baptized, inquire into baptism. (Matt 28:18-20)
For centuries baptism has been the first point of public profession of Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Start the new lifestyle that God is building in you.
Many of the letters in the New Testament are very much about how Christians are different, treating their brothers differently in the church, and living a lifestyle of repentance visibly among those who are not Christians. It's not easy, but that can make it all the more exciting. Normally people go through a series of reactions to this, so ... forewarned if forearmed, the phases go through something like:
This is easy!
This is hard!
This is impossible!
This is exciting!
If you get to "this doesn't sound right" or "this is confusing" there may be something you need to learn, or something you need to change. Christianity is not specifically about "do's and don't's", either. It's not laws you gotta do; it's about redeeming things where you get involved in the process. If you keep that in mind I hope it'll help.
