top of page
iowa.jpg

Christianity

IMG_5678.jpeg

Finding True Direction

In a world full of uncertainty, being a Christian means finding true direction in Jesus Christ. It’s not about religion or self-improvement—it’s about knowing the God who made you, trusting in the Savior who died for you, and following the One who gives life real meaning and eternal hope.

Image by Pablo García Saldaña

What Does It Mean to be a Believer in Christ?

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."
                                                                                                                                                Isaiah 45:22

Being a Christian is far more than identifying with a religion or agreeing with a set of moral values. At its heart, being a Christian means embracing what the Bible teaches about God, humanity, and salvation. It means turning from sin and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and new life.

Here are several essential truths found in God’s Word:

silhouette photography of person_edited.

1. God Is the Sovereign Creator The Bible teaches that every person is created by a personal and powerful God—not the product of chance or evolution. Jesus Christ Himself is revealed as the Creator of all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16), and as such, He has full authority over our lives (Psalm 103:19). We were made to love, serve, and live in joyful fellowship with Him. We owe Him our worship, obedience, and complete allegiance.

AdobeStock_115076081_resized_edited.jpg

2. God Is Holy God is perfectly holy—pure in every way and separate from all sin (Isaiah 6:3; James 1:13). Because He is holy, He requires holiness from us as well. His Word says, "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). This standard leaves no room for compromise.

Sin._edited.jpg

3. Mankind Is Sinful Though we were created in God’s image, we have all sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Our sinful nature separates us from God and makes us incapable of pleasing Him on our own (Romans 3:10–12). Scripture declares, “There is no man that sinneth not” (1 Kings 8:46). Acts of kindness cannot erase the guilt of sin before a holy God.

brown wooden tool on white surface_edite

4. Sin Brings Judgment God’s justice demands that sin be punished. The penalty is death—both physical and eternal separation from God (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). No amount of self-improvement, good deeds, or religious activity can remove that judgment.

landscape shot of white cross during day

5. Jesus Christ Is Lord and Savior In His love and mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners. Jesus lived a sinless life, died as a substitute on the cross, and rose again from the dead. His death satisfied God’s justice, and His righteousness is credited to those who trust in Him (1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Bible says, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

photo of man kneeling on grass near tree

6. True Faith Includes Repentance Saving faith is more than agreeing with facts—it’s a heart-level response that includes repentance. To repent means to turn from sin and turn to Christ. It means acknowledging our guilt before God, confessing our sins, and choosing to follow Jesus as Lord (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Real faith produces real change. While we are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9), that faith will result in a life marked by obedience, good works, and growing love for Christ (Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 2:3).

green grass during golden hour_edited.jp

7. Repent and Believe the Gospel Jesus calls all who are weary and burdened by sin to come to Him (Matthew 11:28–30). To be a Christian is to respond to that call—to trust in the finished work of Christ for salvation, to follow Him as Lord, and to live for His glory. This is the true and only way to eternal life (John 17:3).

Image by Jack Sharp

Two Ways to Live

Christ’s miraculous birth, His brutal crucifixion, and His triumphant resurrection call for a personal response. We either believe or reject Him, turn to His cross in repentance or turn away. These events demand more than neutrality and so does your response.

To help you further consider the good news of Jesus, we invite you to explore Two Ways to Live, a short multimedia presentation from Matthias Media. It clearly explains who God is, what He has done, and what He requires of us.

Your soul will live forever. Are you ready for eternity?

IMG_7855_edited.jpg

Baptism

Publicly Identifying with Jesus

The Outward Expression of an Inward Decision

Baptism is a joyful and meaningful act of obedience for those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. While baptism does not save us, it is the God-appointed way believers publicly identify with Christ and confess their faith before the church and the world.

 

In baptism, we picture the gospel itself. Being lowered into the water represents our union with Christ in His death and burial, and being raised from the water proclaims our union with Him in His resurrection (Romans 6:3–4). Baptism is a visible testimony that a sinner has been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

 

Because baptism is an expression of personal faith, we practice believer’s baptism by immersion. We gladly baptize those who have repented of their sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Baptism is not the starting point of salvation, but the first step of obedience that follows it.

 

If you have trusted Christ and have questions about baptism—or are ready to take this step—it would be our joy to walk with you through it.

Growing in Grace and Knowledge

Personally Growing as a Disciple of Jesus 

Growing by Grace in Grace

Following Jesus is not simply about making a decision—it is about beginning a new life. When God saves us by His grace, He also begins to change us, teaching us to know Christ more deeply and to walk with Him daily. The Bible calls us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

 

We would love to help you take those next steps. Through faithful preaching, prayer, and personal discipleship, we walk with individuals who desire to understand the Bible better, strengthen their faith, and grow in obedience to Christ. For those ready to grow intentionally, we offer guided, one-on-one study designed to help establish strong spiritual foundations.

Wherever you are in your journey—curious about Christianity, newly trusting Christ, or seeking to grow deeper—you do not have to walk alone. If you would like to talk more about what it means to follow Jesus or grow in grace, please leave a message in the contact box at the bottom of this page. We would be honored to connect with you.

First Baptist Church of Monroe, IA logo

Church Office: 641.259.2922

Email: pastor@firstbaptistmonroe.org
First Baptist Church
810 S Commerce Street
PO Box 280
Monroe, Iowa 50170
Service Times

Sunday

Sunday School and

Adult Bible Classes                        9:30 AM

Morning Worship                          10:30 AM

Wednesday

Midweek Connect                             10:00 AM

       (1st Wed. of Month)

Kids & Teens Groups                     6:30 PM

      (Sep. - Mar.)

©2026 by First Baptist Church. 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Message Us

We're glad to hear from you!

bottom of page