After believing in Jesus, the miracle of conversion takes place. St Paul calls Christian conversion a "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). The believer's heart is changed, he has new values and his behaviour will be different. Old things are passed away; everything has become new. It is from this position that we take a look become at Christian practices. A new Christian must learn new skills to help him mature in the faith and prepare him to face the temptations of the world.

The Christian's desire is to be like his Master and this is not always easy. The Christian is not exempt from the demands and dangers of normal life. But the Christian is always assured of grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16). The Christian often asks if it is right or not to do this or that. The answer may not always be clear-cut. Therefore, we must pray that the Holy Spirit will use the Holy Scriptures to edify and instruct us.

It is clear teaching of the Bible that Christians are called upon to be stewards of what God has entrusted to them (I Pet 4:10). A steward is someone entrusted with the management property, finance, or other affairs. God has entrusted to us many things, but in this section we will consider only finance. All that we have and earn comes from God. He is the source of all good things. Stewardship of God's money, viewed broadly, means the wise and systematic management of the money we receive every month. Tithing is taught in the Old Testament. Abraham and other patriarches tithed. Tithing means the setting aside of one-tenth for the Lord. The balance of the money is used for the basic necessities of life. The Christian is urged to be thrifty and to save. Savings can be invested or at least kept in the bank for interest. The folly is to pander to our wants and desires of the flesh.

Stewards must be faithful. We have to give an account of our stewardship to God. Money offered to God is banking in heaven, "where neither moth or rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt 6:20). But the money given as an offering in Church goes to advance God's kingdom, the salvation of souls and the strengthening of the saints. The Church is also a steward of the money, which worshippers offer faithfully. The Session of the church decides on how best to use the money for maintenance of the local church and missions' abroad.

Discipleship means full commitment to Jesus Christ. It means denying self the pleasures of this life and being prepared to suffer for His sake. Jesus said: "If any man will come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt 16:24). Someone wanted to follow Jesus wherever He went. Jesus answered, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests: but the son of man hath not where to lay his head."

To attain to Christian discipleship may take time. It may take longer for some Christians to mature spiritually. It is necessary to nourish a spiritual life. The first step is to know God's Word deeply. All Christians are encouraged to join in Bible Studies.

The second step towards Christian discipleship is to develop a strong relationship with fellow-believers. Christianity, although a personal faith, is also a corporate one. As many pieces of coal in the fireplace burn brightly, so Christians as a body of Jesus Christ are strong and have a bright witness. We should seek for regular Christian fellowship.

Are Christians "peculiar" people? Indeed, they are (I Pet 2:9). Christians can be identified amongst the people they live with. They are in the world but not of the world (Jn 17:15,16). You see them carrying the Bible on Sunday going to Church. By and large, Christian do not smoke or drink. They do not enjoy the worldly pleasures such as dancing and going to cinema. This does not mean that Christianity is a cultural desert. The Church, for example, encourages sacred music, promotes Christian tourism to the Holy Land, and organizes Bible camps for recreation. Cultural activities are acceptable when they are wholesome: "Whatsoever things are lovely … of good report; if there be any virtue … think on these things" (Phil 4:8).

There are two kinds of Greek philosophers mentioned in the epistles. The Stoics say, "I am the master of my own fate". The Epicureans say, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die". Both reject God and live for themselves. But the Christian belongs to God, body and soul. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor 6:19,20)

One common failure in the Christian life is described by the New Testament as "unequal yoking" (2 Cor 6:14). In simple terms, Christians should marry in the faith. The Bible prohibits Christians marrying non-Christians. This will space you a multitude of sorrows. Once a couple contemplates marriages, they should make certain preparations. Engagement is commonly practised with an exchange of rings and the pastor's blessings. However, engagement is neither a legal nor an ecclesiastical requirement. What is more important is to approach the pastor for pre-marital counseling. Do not hastily enter into marriage unless you are very sure of yourself, and after you have sought the Lord's will for your life.

Marriage is a divide institution and should be considered seriously and carefully. The B-P Church wants all couples to have their marriages solemnised in Church rather than at the Registry of Marriages. Couples should, above all, seek God's blessings first. Church marriage is worship unto the Lord. If, for any reason, a couple has to be married at the Registry of Marriages then there can only be a church blessing. You should consult the pastor. He may be able to help you in your predicament.

While our citizenship is assured in heaven, we also owe our loyally to our country. The Christian is admonished to be obedient to the laws of the land, to respect the lawfully elected government and to pay the dues of citizenship. Read Rom 13. Hence it is our duty to pay taxes and to vote wisely at the general elections. Christians should also be politically aware, so that they can participate intelligently in the public affairs of the State.

Should Christians be involved in social work? The Second Commandment is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Where there is opportunity, we must do well and help the helpless. Social work, however, can only be secondary to evangelism. When God saves our soul, He also delivers our body. His providential care provides for our physical needs. Christians must be involved in the society they live in, contributing no less to the social well being of our neighbour.