“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Habakkuk 2:2–3
Our Mission
Here at St. John Divine, we make it our purposeful intent to promote the family of believers encompassing multiple generations.
We glorify God by Exalting the Savior through multi-faceted praise and worship (Up-Reach), Edifying the Saints through multi-generational ministry (In-Reach) and Evangelizing the sinner through multi-targeted outreach (Out-Reach).
Our Method
Exalting – The Savior
Edifying – The Saints
Evangelizing – The Sinner
Our Motto
A Family of Believers,
Doing it God’s Way
Up-Reach
In-Reach
Out-Reach
Our Model
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18
Becoming A Member
1. Christian Experience
You’ve already accepted the Lord in your life and are searching for a church home to work out your soul salvation. We would love to share in the nurturing of your walk with the Lord. We would love to have you.
2. Candidate for Baptism
You want to make a decision to live for the Lord. Not certain that if you were to die that you would spend all of eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? It’s as easy as A, B, C.
A – Accept him.
B – Believe on him.
C – Confess him.
Thereafter, we will baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We are baptized not to be saved, but because we are saved.
3. Letter
You’re a previous member of another Baptist church. Submit a letter from your previous church endorsing your commitment and stating your involvement there. This is a traditional practice, however, it is not required for membership.
4. Restoration
You’ve been out of the church for a while and need to restore an active relationship with the Lord through a local church.
5. Watch Care
You’re temporarily here in the city of Pensacola or one of the surrounding areas and need a place to worship in the meantime. You are welcome to unite with us and, upon your transfer or departure, can resume your affiliation in your hometown or next destination.
Salvation — Accepting the Lord
Steps to Accept the Lord in Your Life
The following steps will help you obtain and maintain the salvation experience. It involves a process that will not only guarantee your entrance to heaven, but also position you to experience the benefits of heaven on earth.
1. Recognize/Admit That You Are a Sinner
Because of Adam’s sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity was affected by, and infected with, sin (Romans 5:12-14). Mankind took on the nature of sin. Therefore, everyone that was born after Adam was born into a life of sin and death (Psalm 51:5).
2. Repent of Your Sins
To repent simply means to “change one’s mind; to change one’s direction; to have a change of heart.” It involves making a 180-degree turn away from sin and heading in the right direction toward God.
Repentance does not mean “I’m sorry.” It is a quality decision to ask forgiveness of your sins, turning away from ungodly living and submitting to God’s will for your life (1 John 1:9).
3. Confess Jesus as Lord and Savior
Confession affirms Jesus’ lordship (place of authority) over your life. It means to literally tell the truth, “I can’t live my life without you, Lord.” Believe that He lived, died and was raised from the dead for the forgiveness of your sins.
4. Be Baptized in Water
Water baptism is a symbolic representation of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Just as He was baptized, so must you be baptized (Matthew 3:6). You go down into the water, carrying your old man (lifestyle) with you, and die to yourself and your old way of living (Romans 6:3-11). When you come up out of the water, you are a “new” person. You’re not baptized to be saved, but you’re baptized because you are saved.
When you become born again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart to become your Teacher, Comforter and Guide through life (John 14:15-17, 23, 26).
5. Obey the Word of God
Maintaining your salvation and enjoying its benefits is done by living according to God’s Word (Proverbs 3:1-4; 1 John 5:3). Make His Word the final authority by which you live. Make sure every decision you make in life is biblically-based. The Word must be your foundation.