Checkpoint 1

Am I sure that I have understood what it means to be a part of Christ’s church?

Checkpoint Number 1: Have I publicly confessed my faith?

Have I actually spoken up to others to say: Without Jesus Christ I am nothing. I have submitted my life totally to him as Lord. I am completely dependent on his death and resurrection to put me right with God. My life belongs to Jesus Christ – I am his servant.

The reason why this is essential is that without faith in Jesus no one can be a member of his Body. You only get a place in the household of God through deliberate faith in Jesus. (No one comes to the Father, except through me.)

So, what will a public confession of your faith look like?

There are two parts to it. One is the same for everyone – the other is unique to you.

The part that is the same is baptism.

That is the public action by which you declare your faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 6.3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.

The second part to your public confession of your faith in Jesus Christ is that you are always ready to explain the reason why you are trusting Christ 1 Peter 3.15:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

You are willing to talk about your experience of Christ. You do not remain silent.

A member of the Church has publicly confessed his/her faith in Christ by being baptised and continues to make the confession by talking about his or her faith in Christ.