Life is full of good news and bad news.
At PCC, we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ (“gospel” is a Greek word for “good news”) has the power to transform our lives, and even our deaths – the ultimate bad news.
The Good News
God created you to have a personal relationship with Him, both now and in heaven.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37
Many of us think we have a relationship with God and are going to heaven. But there is one big problem…
The Bad News (sin)
God loves you, but He is holy – which means that He is without sin.
Sins are thoughts or actions that violate God’s commands.
Sin has separated us from God and prevents us from going to heaven. The Bible is very clear that all of us are sinful and do not meet God’s standard of perfection.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” – Romans 3:23
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” – James 2:10
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
“All of us also lived … gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of [God’s] wrath.” – Ephesians 2:3
Yet, God provided the solution for your sin!
Jesus Christ: the solution for sin
Jesus Christ, God’s son, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He loves you so much that He sacrificed Himself for you!
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16 & 17
Salvation is free
You may think that God is impressed by your good works, but none of us will ever be good enough to earn God’s favor. Our only hope for salvation (freedom from sin) rests in God’s grace and His gift of forgiveness.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8 & 9
How do I receive God’s gift?
Put your trust in Jesus Christ TODAY, and turn from a sinful way of living.
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, 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
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” – 1 John 5:12-13
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10
How do I become a follower of Jesus Christ?
Admit to God that you have sinned against Him and need forgiveness.
Believe that Jesus died on the cross as payment for your sin and rose from the dead to give you eternal life in heaven.
Surrender your life, present and future, to the Lord and commit to following Him.
Welcome Jesus into your life with this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you and have lived a life that has not been pleasing to you. I am sorry for my sin and know I cannot save myself. Please forgive me!
“I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I thank you for your incredible gift of love and mercy. I now place my trust in you alone to forgive me and cleanse me.
“Lord, I also ask you to please take control of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me be obedient and pleasing to you according to the Bible. I thank you for the promise of eternal life in Heaven! In Jesus name, Amen.”
How to Know You Are a Christian
A Christian trusts Jesus as Lord and Savior and is committed to following Him. God gives Christians confidence in their freedom from sin by transforming lives through His Holy Spirit.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“..Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:13 & 14
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” – Titus 3:4 & 5
Next Steps
Share the Good News: Tell others about the Lord and what He has done for you! (Acts 5:42)
Daily Bible Reading: Spend some time every day reading the Bible. We recommend starting with the Gospel of John. (Acts 17:11)
Daily Prayer: Devote time every day to speak to God through prayer. Share your heart and be real. Thank Him for forgiving your sins and transforming your life. (Mat. 6:6-15)
Get Connected: Join us at PCC or find a Bible-based church in your area, and spend time with other Christians. (Acts 5:42)
Get Baptized: In Acts, Peter said “Repent and be baptized, 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.” Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to Jesus and a symbol of your transformation as His follower (Acts 2:38). Learn more about baptisms at PCC.
If you have any questions about becoming a Christian, please feel free to contact us. If you just made a decision to follow Jesus Christ, congratulations and welcome to the family of God!
We would love to hear from you. Please e-mail us your comments or call the church office at (949) 940-2600.