Introductory Video Series

We ask everyone who expresses interest in joining our local body to visit mbccolumbus.org/member-step1 and work through 5 different lessons taught by Pastor Andrew which will highlight the purpose and goal of the local church. You can print out the study-guide from the website, or if it's easier you could ask any of our leaders and we will give you a printed copy. Throughout the study, you will be exposed to our statement of beliefs, guided in writing a salvation testimony - we call it your "story of grace", encouraged to take a spiritual gifts inventory that will give you a starting idea of how God has uniquely gifted you to serve the body of Christ.

Personal relationship with Jesus

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? What does that even mean? How is that even possible? No other religion talks about having a personal relationship with God. The Gospel story is simple and it begins with creation. God created you The Bible says "He formed your inward parts and knitted you together in your mothers womb." You are a unique, special part of God's creation - there is no other you in the entire world. God created you for a purpose The Bible says you were "created in the image of God." God's main purpose in creating us is to glorify God by reflecting His image to the world. There's a problem - I can't do what God created me for Sin entered the world when, in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve willfully chose to disobey God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3). The ultimate punishment for sin is death - eternal, spiritual separation from God. Since the Fall of Man with Adam and Eve, we are all born into sin, separated from God with no hope of forgiveness in ourselves. One sin makes me completely unholy (unclean) and unable to be in God's holy (clean and unblemished) presence. How did God deal with our sin (unholy) problem? Sin requires sacrifice - the punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). God knew that we could never be holy (sinless) on our own, He knew we could never overcome temptation on our own; therefore we had no hope of glorifying God in ourselves. God sent His Son Jesus into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved - from our sin, and ultimately our eternal, spiritual separation from God. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, was tempted in every way that we can be tempted, yet without sin, and He willingly gave up His life by dying a criminal's death on the cross to pay the wages (price) for our sins, experienced the full wrath of God on our sin when the Father turned His face from Jesus, and He rose again on the third day, showing His power to make a dead person come to life, and declaring God's final victory over sin for all of those who believe in Jesus for salvation and make Him the Lord of their life. What does the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have to do with me? It means because of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, the wages (penalty) for your sin is paid in full and if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). What now? The Bible says " believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

• Believe that God created you to bring Him glory.
• Believe that you are a sinner and without a personal relationship with Jesus, you will die and face eternal, spiritual separation from God
• Believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be tempted in every way that we are yet without sin, to die a criminals death on the cross, and to rise again on the third day to declare victory of sin and death and make it possible for me to glorify Him again
• Believe that if you confess your sins to God, He will be "faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."

Share your story of grace

As you work through the introductory video series, you will be guided through writing your personal story of how God saved you. One of our favorite ways to tell your story is to video record your story of grace. If you've been baptized before, we will simply show your story during one of our worship services. If you are getting baptized as well, we will show your story leading in to your baptism. We recognize that being video recorded isn't for everyone, so you could also share a written testimony or share your testimony in a live gathering. Telling your story of grace should be an enjoyable experience, full of joy and excitement, not full of anxiety and fear. If you are struggling to write your testimony, we would love to come alongside and help it be an enjoyable experience for you and help ease your anxiety and fears. For examples of both written and video recorded stories of grace, click here.

Be baptized in obedience to the Lord

Every person who trusts in Christ for salvation is called by God to make a public profession of faith by getting baptized by immersion as a statement of being united with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Baptism does not make you a believer; it is simply an act of obedience that publically declares that you are a follower of Christ.

Commit to being a part of our local body

• BOW - Affirm that you have been led by the Holy Spirit through the truth of God's Word to repent of your sins, put your faith in the saving work of Jesus and commit to pursuing daily passionate worship of Him. You commit yourself to strive to live with the spotlight on Jesus in your life, family, community, and church
• BUILD - Affirm that you are committed to surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus and that your love for Him compels you to lead everyone He brings into your life at least one step closer to Him each day. You commit to strive to pursue even deeper discipling relationships with at least a few people in your life.
• BLESS - Affirm that as a follower of Jesus you are called to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. In order to fulfill this calling, you will live like Jesus in order to B.L.E.S.S. the world.
• BELONG - Affirm that you have been led by God to join yourself to this local expression of His family, Maranatha Baptist Church. You commit to pursuing the health of the whole church by living out the "one-anothers" prescribed in His Word and leaning in to each situation with love, understanding that it will often be inconvenient.