NEXT STEPS

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Next Steps

Did you just recently hear about Gateway Branson? Or maybe you've been coming for a while and you're wondering "what's next". Great question! At Gateway Branson we want everyone to experience authentic spiritual growth. What is spiritual growth? Another great question! We believe that transformation, growth, and life change are evidence of a person’s connection to God. As we continue to pursue a real relationship with God He will continue to change us to become more like Christ. But it requires our willingness and intentionality. “The Way of Christ” is simply Gateway’s name for being intentional about your spiritual growth in relationship with others who are going the same way. It includes loving God, building character, loving people, and being the Body.

There are several Next Steps that we believe will help you cultivate that Spiritual Growth. 

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Baptism 

We believe that baptism is the action a person takes after becoming a Christ Follower. We see this many times in scripture as people believed in Jesus Christ and were subsequently baptized. We see baptism as something done after making a clear decision to follow Jesus.

Verses:

  • Acts 8:12 — But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
  • Acts 8:13 — Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
  • Acts 18:8 — Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
  • Acts 19:4-5 — Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
  • Colossians 2:12-15 - For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed[d] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. 

Next Steps to Take:

  1. Check Out this document that will give you a better understanding of what we believe baptism is all about. 
  2. Sign up for Baptism and Complete the Baptism Self Study. It is intended for your self-reflection but you are encouraged to discuss it with a trusted Christ-follower or a Leader at Gateway.
  3. Baptism Interview. Baptism is held on the third Sunday of each month from March through October at Gateway Branson. On the day of your baptism, you will be interviewed by a Pastor about your faith experience.
  4. Baptism Celebration. When someone comes up out of the water, we cheer. We celebrate their new life. It's not uncommon for friends and family to hold signs celebrating the occasion. We shoot off confetti cannons and may have air horns. We take seriously Jesus' words that "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7). We figure that if heaven is celebrating, we should join in! So invite your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone you'd like to come and join us!