I want to know God

‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Romans 5:8 NIV

God knows everything about you and he loves you with a great, everlasting love! We know that this is true because the Bible tells us this over and over again.  

God loved us so much that he sent Jesus so that we could know him. Because of Jesus we can know God, so when we put our trust in Jesus we begin our journey with knowing God.

Thinking about getting to know God can sometimes seem like a complicated thing, and we might not even know where to start. You can begin your journey of knowing God today with a simple prayer.

You could say something like this:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. I’m sorry for going my own way instead of your way, please forgive me. Today I choose to accept your forgiveness, and I receive new life. Come and take first place in my life and make me the person you want me to be.

If you prayed that prayer and you want to commit your life to Jesus, we would love to be in touch with you to help you take your next steps in knowing God and experience a transformed life. 

Baptism is a way of personally identifying with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Your old way of life is dead.

‘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 NKJV

Your old person is buried (symbolically) as you go under the water.

‘Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death…' Romans 6:4a NKJV

You are resurrected into a new life (symbolically) as you come up out of the water.

‘For when you were baptised, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.’ Colossians 2:12 GNT

Here are a few scriptures that will help you to understand the importance and significance of baptism. 

'Jesus said: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ Matthew 28:19 ESV

‘He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’ Mark 16:16 NKJV

The early Christians were baptised:

‘But when they believed Phillip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptised.’ Acts 8:12 NKJV

'…and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptised.’ Acts 18:8b NKJV

Anyone who has a personal faith in Jesus Christ can be baptised. This means that they have prayed a prayer of repentance, which is a turning away from their sin, and they have a willingness to live for Christ.

At KingsGate we only baptise children who are old enough to understand the gospel message and have a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have not been baptised by full immersion in water since you became a believer, we recommend that you be baptised, even if you were christened as a baby or a young child.

This reflects your desire to be baptised in the same way Jesus was baptised, as it publicly declares your personal faith in God.

Before being baptised you will need to:

• Have a personal faith in Jesus Christ
• Fill in a Baptism Application form – you can get one from the Information Desk at KingsGate or email your centre Pastoral Admin using the Interested button
• Attend a Baptism Class at KingsGate

Even if you are under 18 you can still be baptised at KingsGate, looking at the points below will give you an idea about the next steps you can take.

Before being baptised you will need to:

• Have a personal relationship with Jesus, have said sorry for trying to live life your own way and want to live every day for him
• Have permission from one of your parents to be baptised
• Speak to one of your youth leaders who will have a chat with you about baptism and help you fill in a Baptism Application

Immersion or baptism means to be drenched in the Spirit.

“He [Jesus] will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 3:16 NIV

We receive a clothing with power.

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 NIV

Receive power to witness.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8 NIV

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32,33 NIV

This gift has been available ever since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over 2000 years ago on the day of Pentecost. We can ask and receive the gift of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NIV

You can ask to receive the Holy Spirit. You can‘t do anything to earn it, it ceases to be a gift if you have to work for it. When you are born again, there is a change in your heart, your spirit is recreated. If you’ve invited Jesus into your life, you are ready to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13 NIV

As you once took a step of faith to receive Jesus as your Saviour, you are now taking a step of faith to receive the Holy Spirit.

Being baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit gives you access to the gifts of the Spirit. One of these gifts is the gift of tongues.

The Holy Spirit does not speak in tongues, but rather that the Holy Spirit enables us to speak in tongues.

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4 NIV

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Acts 10:44-46 NIV

“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6 NIV

Sometimes receiving the gift of tongues happens at the same time at being baptised in the Spirit, and other times people may only receive the gift of tongues later.

Speaking in tongues is a cooperation between yourself and the Holy Spirit. Expect that the Holy Spirit will give you words; that your tongue will seem to want to say something.

Open your mouth, this can be an act of faith in itself, breathe in, and then say to God, “I am receiving the Holy Spirit right now by faith.”

Don’t speak in your native language. Relax and then boldly lift your voice and make those supernatural sounds that want to come, regardless of what they are, trusting God for guidance.

Go on speaking, praising God with those supernatural words until a free, clear language comes.

Once you have prayed in tongues for a minute or so, stop and then start speaking in tongues again. This gives you the confidence that you can speak with ease in tongues as you can with your native language. You now have the gift and you can use it whenever you want to.

Praying in tongues each day will help you to grow spiritually; by using this gift, your faith can be built up and you can be reminded that you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit because of Jesus.

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 20 NIV