The content below discusses what happens AFTER salvation. One must first experience salvation before the rest of this post becomes applicable. In order to understand salvation and what it entails, please read the following, About Salvation.
Now, back to the question: What really happens when you accepted Jesus Christ? What happens AFTER the salvation experience?
There are a few things that happen IMMEDIATELY after salvation. I cannot confirm any specific order to these happenings, but I'll arrange them in an order I perceive as logical.
At salvation, one is instantaneously sealed into the family of God
Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
2 Corinthians 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (See Rev.7:2-3, sealed and marked for a purpose)
2 Tim.2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
We become a new creature
2 Cor.5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The word "creature" refers us back to verses 15-16 where Paul tells us that all believers have died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our "death" is that of the old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. It was buried with Him, and just as He was raised up by the Father, so are we raised up to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). That new person that was raised up is what Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5:17 as the "new creature".
You are justified and have right standing before God
When you respond to the grace gospel and become 'saved', in that instant, you are regenerated in spirit as a new being and are placed "in Christ" and are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. In this state, your spirit is perfect before God. Being "in Christ" is a spiritual, or positional reality. Once you come to be "in Christ", the Word provides description of how God sees you. God sees you as a new creature, God sees you as been brought near by the blood of Christ, God sees you without condemnation. There are many scriptures that describe what you have become now that you are "in Christ".
Colossians 2:10 ...and you are complete [description] [new creation, you cannot be improved any more, perfect, Eph.2:10] in Him [Christ] [pos.reality], who is the head of all principality and power.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus [pos.reality] you who once were far off have been brought near [description] by the blood of Christ.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation [description] to those who are in Christ Jesus [pos.reality], who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
"In Christ" does not relate to our current physical life. It is a heavenly concept, it is a POSITIONAL REALITY, it is who we are before God right now (and the Word describes what that new positional reality is in character and qualities). Be careful not to mix this up with our CONDITIONAL REALITY! As much as God has blessed us in our heavenly position 'in Christ', He has also made provision for our earthly condition by "Christ in us". Where our positional reality is us in Christ, it is Christ in us which relates to our earthly condition; being led by the Spirit (Rom.8:14, Gal.5:18), the transforming of our mind by His Word (Rom.12:2), the sanctification we undergo (1 Thess.4:7, 1 Cor.1:30, Eph.5:26), and the good works we do according to His predestined will for us (Eph.2:10). For
The evidence of salvation in the believer,
The gospel systematically transforms the life of believers. Christianity is about regeneration, not reformation. Regeneration is an act of God. It brings about a new life. Our lives are not changed by changing our character, but our character is changed by a change of life.
Translated into the kingdom of His dear Son
Col.1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Being translated into this heavenly kingdom (2 Tim.4:18) is in essence saying that you are a citizen of this kingdom, (Phil.3:20). You have been identified as one who belongs to this kingdom. You are already a citizen, but you sojourn in a foreign land (earth), waiting to be called home (at death or the rapture).
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
The instant we become saved and sealed, we become inheritors of every blessing in the heavenly places. This inheritance is based on being "in Christ" in which we are identified as having become members of Christ's body and co-partakers (co-heirs/joint-heirs) in that which is Christ's. (See Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7; and read Ephesians Chapters 1 and 2).
Conclusion
There is much more that can be written on this subject, but that which is already said should provide sufficient answer to this question, and motivation to go and seek out more of who you have become at the instant of salvation by God's grace gospel.
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