This document discusses the tradition of "coming forward" in church. It offers three opportunities in coming forward: 1) to be baptized, as baptism is encouraged after repentance in Acts; 2) to ask forgiveness from the congregation if one has sinned against them, as reconciliation is commanded; 3) to ask for spiritual help from the congregation through prayer, as prayer is promised to be effective. While coming forward is a tradition, these actions of repentance, forgiveness, and prayer can be done at any time with God and the church.

1. The Invitation
“IF ANYONE DESIRES TO COME AFTER
ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND
TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND FOLLOW
ME.” MATT 16 2:24

2. Coming Forward is a Tradition
•A tradition that aids God’s
commandments
•Coming Forward
–Offers a opportunity to be baptized
–Offers a opportunity to ask the congregation
for forgiveness
–Offers an opportunity to ask the congregation
for spiritual help
*These actions are NOT exclusively reserved
for “coming forward”
*These are NOT the only legitimate reasons
why someone should “come forward”

3. Do you want to be baptized?
•Peter ends every sermon in Acts
with a call to Repent. A call turn to
Christ and be baptized into Christ.
–Acts 2:38, Acts 3:26, Acts 4:12, Acts 10:43, 47-
48
•Many obey right after hearing the
sermon (Acts 2:41)
–However men and woman can be baptized at
anytime, the Lord can add you to the church
(the saved body) daily. (Acts 2:46-47)

4. Do you want to be baptized?
•There is no need to be afraid
of Christians
–There is a need to be afraid of
your sin
•Coming forward encourages
others to follow in your
footsteps

5. Do you want to ask the
congregation for forgiveness?
•Luke 17:3-4
–I have the responsibility to seek forgiveness from my
brother
•Matthew 18:15-17
–I have the responsibility to publicly reconcile with a
congregation that has asked me to repent.
•1 Cor. 8:12 But when you thus sin against
the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ.
–I have the reasonability to seek forgiveness from the
brethren if I have sinned against them.

6. Do you want to ask the
congregation for forgiveness?
•We were worry about being judged
for our sin,
–When someone publically makes things right,
they are judged as faithful (2nd Cor. 2:6-8)
•“Coming forward” declares that we
are not perfect people and we
understand that God is the solution!

7. Do you want to ask the
congregation for spiritual help?
•Do you need to be healed?
–James says prayer is the solution! (James 5:11-18)
•Do you need a spiritual healing, that is
guaranteed? (v.16)
–The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much
–Elijah was a great example of this (v.17)
•Benefits of being part of a congregation
(v19-20)