Following Jesus
The term Christian was first used in the city of Antioch only a few years after the inception of the early church. Jesus had ascended back to heaven and those who called themselves His followers were tasked with being His witnesses to all the nations. So, they left Jerusalem and began proclaiming Jesus and His teaches as they planted churches all throughout the known world. And to distinguish them from Jews, they became known as Christians, which means Christ Follower. Therefore being a Christian, means to be a follower of Jesus.
Being a Christian is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, to know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and by His life, we are saved. And as we believe, we walk in the footsteps of Jesus and strive to live a life that is aligned with His teachings and His example. As Jesus served, we also serve. As Jesus loved, we also love. And as Jesus gave His life for us, so we also surrender our lives, fully and completely to Him.
As a Christian, one also becomes part of a community of believers, the Church, where they can find support, encouragement, and accountability in their faith journey. It is a journey that is not always easy, as it requires sacrifice, selflessness, and humility. However, the reward is immeasurable, as it brings peace, joy, and purpose to one’s life.
To be a Christian is not just a label or a title, but a way of life that requires a continuous effort to grow in faith, knowledge, and love. It is a journey that is worth taking, as it leads to eternal life with God, who is the ultimate source of love and goodness. As Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Therefore, being a Christian means following the way, believing in the truth, and embracing the life that Jesus offers.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes that Christ is the head, and the church is His body. Therefore, we understand that the church is the universal community of Christians who seek to embody Jesus’ love and demonstrate His gospel to the world. The church is not a building, but the people who have been baptized into God’s family and live life together in faith and fellowship.
And although the church is one body, the universal church is comprised of localized churches who are organized around the Great Commandment and Great Commision to serve a specific community. Through a local church, Christians are called to gather together for fellowship, discipleship worship, and service.
At Uxbridge Baptist church, we prioritize our Sunday services because it allows us to connect with one another as we encounter God through worship, prayer, Scripture and teaching. And as a family of faith, we support each other through relationships and various programs throughout the week as we seek to love, follow, serve, share and praise Jesus in Uxbridge. We are not perfect, no church is, but we strive to glorify God in everything we do. And at UBC, everyone is welcome.
The church is also called to be a light to the world, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and showing His love to those around us. This includes serving our local community, caring those in need, and advocating for justice and peace. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world, and the church is the vehicle through which we can do that together.
The word Baptism comes from the greek, and means “to submerge in water,” and is the act of being fully emerged in water. In the New Testament, the act of baptising was first made popular by John the Baptist. John’s baptism, however is different then the baptism that Jesus later institutionalized after His death and resurrection. John’s baptism was symbol of repentance designed to prepare the nation of Israel for Jesus’ coming.
The Baptism, however, that Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 is a symbolic witness of a believer’s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of a person’s faith in Jesus and their commitment to follow Him. And through baptism, believers are welcomed into the community of believers and become part of the body of Christ. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, and yet it should be view as a commandment given by Jesus that needs to be taken seriously.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, (Colossians 2:12-13)
Should I get Baptised?
Should I get baptized?
We encourage all believers who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour to be baptised. It is an essential act of faith and obedience to Christ’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20), which should be completed once, when a person is mature enough to understand.
Even Jesus, though He was without sin, was baptised as an example for us to follow (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34).
Baptism is an important foundation for Christian life, which should be done sooner, rather than later. Believers in the New Testament (Acts 2:41 and Acts 8:26-39) were baptised the same day they accepted Christ.
There’s no better time than now to be baptised, and it’s never too late. Please contact us if you would like to be baptised, or if you have further questions.