Putting your faith in Jesus Christ goes beyond simply acknowledging God’s existence (James 2:19). True faith—becoming a Christian—means fully trusting in Jesus as your Savior. You recognize that He is God’s Son, that He died on the cross to take the punishment for your sins (the wrong things we do that separate us from God), and that He rose again. When you believe and accept this truth from the Bible, turn away from sin, and receive God’s free gift of grace and forgiveness, you are saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9). Often, this step is expressed through prayer as you tell God you believe. If you’ve taken this step—that’s amazing!

After salvation, God begins transforming your old life into a new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), shaping you to become more like Jesus. This change starts internally and gradually shows in your actions. Inside, you’ll notice the “fruit of the Spirit” growing—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Externally, your faith will naturally lead to good works: loving others, serving, and living generously. Remember, these actions don’t save you—they’re evidence of your new life in Christ, reflecting Jesus’ heart and priorities.

We believe the Bible is God’s Word—His way of speaking to us about life and faith. As His followers, it’s important to know what He says! Whether you’re opening the Bible for the first time or returning to it, here are some practical tips to help you begin:

1. Pick a clear, easy-to-understand translation, like the New International Version (NIV), which we commonly use at Northside. You can also try a Bible app like YouVersion or Read Scripture for easy access.

2. Establish a routine, just like you would with exercise. Choose a consistent time and place—maybe 6:00 AM at your kitchen table with coffee. Follow a reading plan (YouVersion has great options) or start with a book like John in the New Testament, reading a little each day.

3. Pay attention to verses that stand out to you—this is often God highlighting something He wants to teach, correct, or encourage in you.

4. Reflect on what you read. Ask: What does this mean? How does this apply to my life? What does it reveal about God?

5. Close your time in prayer, talking to God about what you’ve read. (See the “How should I pray?” section below for guidance.)

Why read the Bible? Because it reveals who God is and His love for you. It strengthens, corrects, and guides you through life’s challenges. Most importantly, it has the power to change your heart and transform your life—we’ve seen it happen, and we’ve experienced it ourselves!

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. You can talk to Him anytime, anywhere – whether you need His help or just want to share your heart. There’s no special formula or required location – God is always ready to listen.

While spontaneous prayer is wonderful, setting aside dedicated time to pray can deepen your connection with God. Here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Create a prayer routine by choosing a regular time and place. Many find it helpful to pray during their Bible reading time.

2. Minimize distractions. Silence your phone and take a moment to quiet your thoughts so you can focus completely on God.

3. Try a prayer structure if you need help staying focused. The PRAY method is a great guide:

   • Praise: Honor God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done

   • Repent: Confess your wrongdoings and receive His forgiveness

   • Ask: Bring your needs and the needs of others before God

   • Yield: Surrender your will to God’s perfect plan

4. Listen for God’s response. Prayer isn’t just talking – it’s a two-way conversation. After you speak, pause and ask, “God, what do You want to say to me?” While you likely won’t hear an audible voice, God often speaks through gentle impressions, Scripture, or bringing people to mind as you wait quietly before Him.

Baptism is a powerful, visible expression of faith where a believer is briefly immersed in water and then brought back up. This act beautifully illustrates our spiritual union with Jesus – His death for our sins, His burial, and His victorious resurrection. When we go under the water, it symbolizes leaving our old sinful life behind. When we rise up, it represents our new life in Christ (Colossians 2:12-14).

Think of baptism like wearing a team jersey – it’s your public way of showing which side you’re on. Just as a wedding ring tells the world “I’m committed to this person,” baptism tells the world “I belong to Jesus.” It’s not just tradition – it’s your first big “yes” to following Christ.

Jesus invites us to put our faith into action, and baptism is one of the first steps of obedience. While getting dunked in water doesn’t save you (that’s God’s amazing grace – Ephesians 2:8-9), it is something Jesus specifically told His followers to do (Matthew 28:19-20). If you’ve decided to follow Jesus, baptism is your next natural step – just like it was for thousands of new believers in the early church (Acts 2:38). It’s your chance to say “I’m all in” with your whole life.

Communion (also called the “Last Supper” or “Eucharist”) is something Jesus started with His disciples the night before He died. He took bread and wine and said, “This is My body and blood, given for you.” Then He told His followers to keep doing this to remember Him (Luke 22:14-20).

Why does it matter?

• It’s a thank-you moment—we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

• It’s a big announcement—we’re telling the world, “Jesus died for our sins!”

• It’s a hope reminder—we look forward to the day He comes back! (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

What happens at RGCPipeline?
We pass out bread and juice (instead of wine). Everyone who follows Jesus can take part—no membership, baptism, or age requirement. We take a minute to:
✔ Reflect on what Jesus did for us
✔ Pray and confess anything we’ve messed up
✔ Thank God for His love
✔ Get excited for Jesus’ return

Bottom line: It’s a way to connect with God and remember “Jesus saved me!”

You’ve probably heard God described as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. It’s kinda mind-blowing, but the Bible shows us that God is three-in-one—we call this the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the third part, and the moment you put your faith in Jesus, He moves into your life permanently (Ephesians 1:13).

What Does the Holy Spirit Actually Do?

A LOT. Here’s the breakdown:

✅ Teaches you truth (John 14:26) and guides your decisions (John 16:13)
✅ Helps you when you’re weak (Romans 8:26) and protects you spiritually (Ephesians 6:10-18)
✅ Gives you boldness and power (Acts 1:8)
✅ Convicts you when you’re sinning (so you can make it right) (John 16:8)
✅ Comforts you when life hurts (2 Corinthians 1:3)
✅ Grows good stuff in you—love, joy, peace, patience, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23)
✅ Gives you special abilities (gifts) to help others (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12)

Bottom Line?

You’re never alone. The Holy Spirit is God’s power living inside you, changing you to be more like Jesus every day. He helps you break bad habits, do what God created you to do, and share your faith with confidence.

So yeah… He’s kind of a big deal