QUESTION:
I JUST ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
ANSWER:
As a new believer, it’s crucial to grasp the profound change that has occurred in your life. You’ve been spiritually reborn, forgiven, and reconciled to God.
If you’re thinking, “I have just accepted the Lord Jesus into my heart,” or saying to yourself, “I just got saved,” or “I am a new believer,” congratulations on making the most significant decision of your life. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior marks the beginning of a life-transforming journey. This article will guide you through the essential next steps to deepen your faith and walk closely with God.
1. Understand What Just Happened
As a new believer, you have just stepped into the most glorious reality a human being can ever know. At the very moment you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, a divine miracle took place. You now have eternal life, your sins have been completely forgiven, and your identity has been forever changed.
You are no longer who you used to be. The old you—bound by sin and separated from God—has died, and a brand new person has come alive through the Holy Spirit. You have been born again.
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“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
You are now a new creation in Christ. The past is gone. You have been washed clean and made spiritually alive.
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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You are now a child of God, adopted into His family and welcomed into His eternal kingdom.
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“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)
You have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God no longer sees your sin; He sees the perfection of His Son upon you.
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“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Not only are your sins forgiven, but you have also been made spiritually alive by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in you.
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“Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” (Ephesians 2:5)
So take a moment and breathe that in—you are brand new. This is not a temporary feeling or a passing decision. It is a supernatural, eternal transformation. You have passed from death to life. Welcome to your new life in Christ!
2. You Have Been Indwelt by the Holy Spirit
One of the most powerful truths of your new life in Christ is this: the Holy Spirit now lives in you. At the moment you believed in Jesus, the Spirit of God came to dwell within you permanently. This is not a symbolic idea—it is a spiritual reality and a divine promise.
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“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
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“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Romans 8:9)
Being indwelt by the Holy Spirit means that the Holy Spirit is now with you at all times, not just beside you, but within you. He is your Comforter, your Helper, your Teacher, and your Guide.
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“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit empowers you to live the Christian life. He gives you strength to overcome sin, wisdom to make godly decisions, and boldness to witness for Christ.
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“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8)
He also bears spiritual fruit in your life as you continue to walk with God—fruit like love, joy, peace, and self-control.
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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
The presence of the Holy Spirit is the seal of your salvation, the guarantee that you truly belong to God and that He will complete the work He began in you.
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“In Him you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)
As a new believer, rejoice in this incredible truth: God has not left you alone—He lives in you. Lean on the Holy Spirit daily, and allow Him to lead, convict, strengthen, and transform you from the inside out.
3. Be Baptized
Now that you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the next step is to be baptized. Baptism is not what saves you—salvation is by grace through faith—but it is the first act of obedience that Jesus commands of every new believer. It is a public declaration of your faith and a beautiful picture of the spiritual reality that has taken place within you.
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“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41)
Baptism symbolizes your union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. As you go under the water, it represents the death of your old self; as you rise out of the water, it signifies your new life in Christ.
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“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death… that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3–4)
If someone shared the Gospel with you, reach out to that person and let them know you would like to be baptized. They can help guide you through the process or connect you with a church that will joyfully baptize you.
If you don’t have someone to walk you through it, look for a Bible-believing church in your area that upholds the Word of God and teaches salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Reach out and tell them, “I am a new believer, and I would like to be baptized.” Most churches will be thrilled to help you take this next step of faith.
Baptism is not just a tradition—it’s a testimony. When you are baptized, you are telling the world that you now belong to Jesus.
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“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
4. Commit to Daily Bible Reading and Prayer
One of the greatest joys of the Christian life is having daily communion with God. Now that you are a child of God, you have the incredible privilege of building a relationship with Him—and this relationship is nurtured through prayer and Bible reading.
What is Communion with God?
To have communion with God means to walk in constant fellowship with Him. It’s more than just saying a prayer or reading a few verses—it’s about spending time in His presence, listening to His voice, and responding to Him from the heart.
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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
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“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
Prayer: Talking to God
Prayer is your direct communication line with your Heavenly Father. You can talk to Him about anything—your needs, your fears, your hopes, and your gratitude. Prayer draws your heart closer to God and aligns your will with His.
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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
See: How to Pray? — A simple guide to help you begin your prayer life.
Bible Reading: Hearing from God
When you read the Bible, you are hearing directly from God. His Word is alive, powerful, and personal. Through Scripture, God teaches you truth, corrects your thinking, strengthens your spirit, and leads you in the way you should go.
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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
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“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
See: How to Read the Bible? — A simple guide to help you begin reading your Bible.
See also: Is the Bible The Word of God? — An article about the Bible being the “Inspired” Word of God.
What Bible Version Should I Use?
There are many different Bible translations available, and it’s important to choose one that is faithful to the original texts while also being easy for you to understand.
Some commonly used and reliable translations include:
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New King James Version (NKJV) – A beautiful blend of accuracy and literary style, faithful to the original text with modernized language.
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English Standard Version (ESV) – Known for its precision and readability.
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New Living Translation (NLT) – Very easy to read, ideal for new believers.
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Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – Balances accuracy and clarity.
See: What Bible Version Should I Use? — A helpful overview of trusted translations and how to pick one that’s right for you.
No matter which version you choose, the most important thing is this: open the Bible daily, and let God speak into your life. It is your spiritual food, and your soul needs it to grow.
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“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2)
Make it your daily habit—find a quiet place, open the Bible, speak to God in prayer, and listen to His voice through His Word. This is how your new life with Jesus grows stronger every single day.
5. Walk with God Daily
Your new life in Christ is not just a decision you made in the past—it is a daily walk of love, trust, and obedience. The Christian life is a journey of growing closer to God, walking in step with His Spirit, and learning to live for His glory.
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“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
To walk with God daily means to keep Him at the center of everything—your thoughts, your choices, your priorities, and your desires. It’s a relationship that grows deeper as you learn to listen to His voice through His Word, spend time with Him in prayer, and walk in obedience to His leading.
Love God with All That You Are
At the heart of your daily walk is this great commandment:
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“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.” (Luke 10:27)
To walk with God is to love Him fully and to express that love through worship, obedience, and constant surrender. It means you acknowledge Him in all your plans, seek His will before making decisions, and dedicate everything you do to His glory.
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“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)
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“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
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“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Let every part of your life be an offering to the Lord—your time, your work, your relationships, your goals. As you walk with Him, your love for Him will grow, and your desire to please Him will shape how you live.
Walk in the Spirit
Walking with God daily also means living under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. He will help you say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness. He transforms your heart and character to reflect the image of Jesus.
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“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
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“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
The Spirit produces spiritual fruit in your life—qualities that show the world that Christ lives in you:
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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
When You Fall, Return Quickly
Even as you walk with God, there will be moments when you stumble, fall into sin or commit mistakes. But don’t let shame or guilt keep you from God. He is not standing over you in anger—He is ready to forgive and restore you.
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“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Let His grace lift you up. Learn from your mistakes, run back into His arms, and keep walking. His mercies are new every morning.
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“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)
Walking with God is not about being perfect—it’s about being faithful, humble, and devoted. Let your life be a daily expression of love for God. Let every step you take reflect your desire to know Him more and glorify Him in everything.
Final Thoughts:
Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make. You have been saved, forgiven, and made brand new. But your walk with God is just beginning. These five steps are essential for your personal spiritual growth, and they will help you deepen your relationship with the Lord each day:
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Understand What Just Happened – You are now a new creation, forgiven, born again, and adopted into God’s family.
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You Are Now Indwelt by the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit now lives in you, guiding, empowering, and transforming you from the inside out.
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Be Baptized – An outward testimony of your inner transformation, identifying yourself publicly as a follower of Jesus.
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Commit to Daily Bible Reading and Prayer – This is how you stay connected to God and grow in your understanding of His will.
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Walk with God Daily – Love Him with all that you are, be led by His Spirit, and live every moment for His glory.
These are not just one-time actions, but daily rhythms that shape your new life in Christ. However, your walk doesn’t stop here. God has not only called you to follow Him personally—He has also called you to become a disciple, to grow in a community, and to be part of a bigger spiritual family called the church. There is more ahead, and your next step is just as important as your first.
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