What it means to be a Christian • How to become a Christian:
Who is a Christian?
A Christian is anyone who can honestly profess without reservation: "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and He is my personal Lord and Savior."1a Of course that requires that one knows who God is and why He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross.
The Good News!
Anyone can become a Christian! Regardless of how righteous or how far astray a person's life might be, ALL have been invited.1b Unfortunately for many who call themselves "Christians," or even some who actually consider themselves "Christians," they have not made the necessary commitment to Christ Jesus. Like so many of those in the Parable of the Wedding, most of those who have been invited will elect other options than to be among the chosen. It is by your actions, or inaction as an individual, that you make the choice to be or not to be among the chosen. The "Good News" is that you still have that choice!
The Six Steps for Choosing to Become a Christian.
1. Hear - Through hearing (or reading) the "Word" comes belief1c
2. Believe - Through believing comes faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit1d
3. Repent - Through repentance you renounce your life without God1e
4. Confess - Through confession you accept Jesus as Christ and as your personal Savior1f
5. Be Baptized - Through Baptism you are "born again;" your life of sin without God is buried in the baptismal waters; you arise resurrected, much as Jesus rose from the grave, born again into the Spirit1g
6. Live a Christian Life - Becoming a Christian is not arriving at a destination but the beginning of a life-long journey as a new person; finding Salvation in Christ is a commitment to a new life for which you were born again--this is the essence of "What it means to be a Christian" 1h
Is it Really That Simple?
Yes it really is "THAT SIMPLE," but that doesn't mean it is all that easy! If it was that easy then everybody would do it without hesitation. However, the hardest part is overcoming the fears which prevent taking that first step. The biggest single fear is the fear of what you will have to give up (lose?). You have to be WILLING to give up everything.1i What you ACTUALLY have to give up will be revealed by God, sometimes immediately and sometimes over a very long period of time.
Yes, being "WILLING" is a test. Until you are "WILLING" you are not ready to become a Christian. However, once you become a Christian and look back on what you may have given up (even if it was EVERYTHING), you will realize how insignificant, perhaps even inconsequential, it all was which you gave up. Especially when compared with what you receive in return. 1j
The second biggest stumbling block to taking that first step is the feelings of unworthiness. Many people are ashamed to present themselves to Jesus and ask that He forgive them for the life they have led. Some even suggest that they may be willing to come to Jesus "once they get their life cleaned up." That's a little like a sick person waiting until he or she gets well before going to a doctor!
The Apostle Paul, the writer of at least a dozen books of the New Testament, declared that he was among the most despicable and unworthy of men before being chosen.1k Prior to his conversion, Paul worked for the Jewish authorities and aggressively persecuted early followers of Christ, being responsible for the death of many. He felt so unworthy the Lord had to strike Paul blind on the road to Damascus to convince him to serve God.1l
Six simple steps. Six simple steps which are often approached with trepidation or fear, as well as reticence or reluctance. Trepidation and reticence based mostly on false fears. For the venturous willing to explore the steps more fully, those fears will lose their potency, often fading to mere vestiges of what they once seemed to be.1m
Hear (or read)
Jesus was the "Word" personified.1n He was sent by God to bring the message of Salvation to the world. Christ's apostles chronicled and documented His message. Many hear the words being read or even explained, but they just don't get the message.1o Others avoid "hearing" because they fear it will cause them to believe.
Belief is a strong motivator. If you had a credible reason to believe a loved one would be killed within the next 24 hours, you would surely go to even extreme measures to prevent that event from happening. Some people avoid going to the doctor for the fear the doctor might find something seriously wrong and they would be forced to take action, possibly an action which might range from being inconvenient to deeply troubling to handle, or even possibly life-altering.
Those who avoid hearing probably have an awareness that the message is true. They think that if they can avoid confronting the truth they can also avoid taking the action required by that truth as well as the consequences for their inaction.1p They are in denial.
Believe
Testimony in a court of law carries the weight of truth when there is corroborating evidence or supporting witnesses who will swear to the truth of the testimony. In some cases a court will accept a sworn affidavit if properly witnessed and notarized by an authorized official.
Jesus did miracles as evidence that He spoke the Truth. His miracles are the "corroborating evidence." That He arose from the grave on the third day after His crucifixion, proved that His promises of salvation and forgiveness are true. The apostles were the primary (among many) witnesses affirming and documenting the Word as well as Christ's resurrection. The epistles and revelations written by the apostles in the New Testament are the equivalent of affidavits in today's courts.
Once you have heard the Word, you have but two choices. You can dismiss the scriptures as pure fiction or you can believe that they are the Word of God. Some chose simply to go into denial, which is actually another form of dismissal. When it comes to believing in God you have only two choices:
1. You believe in God as defined by the Word of God.
2. You do not believe in God.*
3. You believe in a god or gods as defined by man/men.*
*Although three options are listed, #2 and #3 amount to the same thing, leaving you with only two actual choices.
The word "believe" in the Bible is not indicative of just a mental exercise. It is an action word.1q If you truly believe that God is real, then refusing to obey Him would be foolishness. Believing and obeying are the foundation stones of faith.
Repent
Repentance begins when you realize that your actions or inactions are wrong. You must feel remorse for what you have done or failed to do. You must resolve to change.1r
Under the Law in the Old Testament, people made blood sacrifices seeking atonement for their offenses against God as defined by the Law. They made sacrifices according to their ability. A rich man would sacrifice a bullock, one not so rich might sacrifice a lamb and the poor could sacrifice a dove. The one requirement was that the animal to be sacrificed had to be perfect. An animal which was sick, deformed, scared or even having a blemish, was not acceptable.
Most people think of the Law as being the Ten Commandments. However, between the time of Moses and the time of Jesus, the Law had grown to include Dietary Law, Hereditary Law, Sabbath Law, Marriage Law, etc., etc. The whole system of Judaic Law had become so complex it was impossible for anyone to maintain a righteous status with God.
In the fullness of time God sent his Son with a new covenant for mankind. The covenant is summarized in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
A key word in that covenant is "gave." God not only sent Jesus as the Word, He also GAVE His Son to the world as a perfect sacrifice for the sins anyone had committed as well as for all sins which anyone would henceforth commit.1s
Jesus is God's gift to the world. Such a precious and priceless Gift that no one of us, or even all of us together, could even hope to be able to afford if we were to attempt to buy it for ourselves. It is only through God's grace that Jesus is given to us.
It is not enough that a gift is offered. For you to benefit from that gift, you must accept it. God has offered his Most Treasured Gift to anyone who will accepts Him. God only asks that you will love and cherish that Gift as well as keep His Son in your life's highest place of honor.
When you accept Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for your sins, you need to confess those sins to Him to receive His forgiveness.
Confess
When you accept God's gift of Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you have received a most wonderous Gift indeed! You should want to confess or announce it to all.
If Ed McMahon came to your door with a $10 million check, would you not shout it to your neighbors? Would you not announce to family, friends and loved ones? Perhaps even shout it from the rooftops (figuratively speaking that is)?
The Gift of Jesus is so wonderous, that by comparison a $10 million check would be paltry indeed. Would you not want to share publicly your joy at receiving such a gift? The most important "public" to whom you should confess your choice is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Trinity, the Three Who are One.
Unless your family, friends and loved ones are already Christians, they may not understand the true value of the Gift you have received. Should you shout it to the rooftops to inform them? Or would it be better to reveal your good fortune in small intimate gatherings or possibly in one-on-one situations?
One place you can certainly "shout it from the rooftops" is with fellow Christians. They DO comprehend the true value of the Gift you have been given. They will not only rejoice with you, but also rejoice FOR you!!!
Be Baptized
Upon your confession: "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my personal Lord and Savior," you are ready to be Baptized. There are three primary reasons for being Baptized. The first is to follow Christ's example. He was Baptized by His cousin, John the Baptist, in the River Jordan. Jesus was not capricious in the things He did. Everything He did or said was for a reason. The definition of being a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus and to emulate Him in your life--be "Christ like."
The second is for the remission of your sins. When you are submersed, your sins are buried with you in that watery grave. You have literally been washed clean.1t When you are lifted back up out of the water, you arise a new person, resurrected much as Jesus was when He arose from the grave on the third day after His crucifixion. You have been "born again."
The third is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just before He arose into heaven, Christ told the apostles that He had to go and be with His Father for awhile and that (John 14:26) "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
The first time you are born you are born into the flesh. When you are born again you are born into the Spirit. Although your physical body continues to live in the world, you also live in the Spirit. When your physical body dies, you will continue to live in the Kingdom of God.
Live as a Christian
This is both the easiest and the hardest step. First of all, it is for the rest of your life, which may be only the next few moments or may continue for decades. If you are a Christian, this is both good news and good news. Christians face a dichotomy of feelings. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be with our Lord as soon as possible, sharing His love and blessings? On the other hand, wouldn't it be wonderful to live a long life with your friends and loved ones, sharing the blessings of Christ with them as well as the others with whom you will come in contact?
Second, you have a wonderful role model, Christ Jesus. In fact, He is the PERFECT role model. Does that mean the you also have to be perfect? Well, Jesus is the Son of God. Are you also the Son of God? If not, then you are a little shy of having the right stuff to be perfect. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Think of all you might accomplish if you were even just a little bit like Jesus!
Non-Christians will sometimes look at a Christian who is far from perfect and make a comment such as, "If that's what being a Christian is, I certainly don't want to be one!" Unfortunately, quite often the "example" is not really a Christian. It may be a person who enjoys wearing the Christian "mantle," but has not truly committed his or her life to Christ. Some pseudo Christians enjoy being part of a Christian group with the advantages of fellowship and mutual support. Some know they are just going through the motions of being a Christian. Others are playing the role to the best of their ability but just don't get it as far as understanding what being a Christian really means.1u
Even more unfortunate is that sometimes the "example" is actually a Christian. Even a born again Christian can try and fail.1v Being human, Christians also make mistakes. Sometimes it is a simple error in judgement while at other times is an act of disobedience or a transgression of Biblical commands. But God doesn't love us based on how good we are as Christians. He loves even the most vile sinner. Remember that He loves each of us so much He GAVE us His Son as our sacrifice. Our mistakes and transgressions disappoint as well as sadden God. But if we realize the error of our ways and ask for forgiveness, He will wipe the blot from our record.
That doesn't mean we have carte blanche to commit sin. God gave us free will to make our own choices. That means each choice is a test. And with each decision the question is, did you make a choice to do good?1w Did you allow the Holy Spirit to help guide you?
The Lord is also there to help you. Prayer is not just for giving thanks for the many blessings God regularly showers on all of us (an incredible number in most cases, especially obvious if you try to add them all up). Prayer is also not just for asking for forgiveness. Prayer is also a time to ask for help, whether it be for guidance, for strength of character, for wisdom, to be a better Christian, to be a better member of your church, to be a more loving family member, etc., etc.
Prayer is also a time of meditation, a time to share with the Lord those things which have been rewarding as well as those things which have been troubling.
It is through prayer and meditation that you develop a long-term relationship with the Lord.1x Study and read the Word. Do you have to become a Bible scholar? No, but do not deprive yourself of the wisdom and inspiration available on nearly every page. You are expected to grow as a Christian and Biblical edification is but one factor in that process.
All have been given special gifts and you should use your gift as directed by God. Although we are not saved by our good works, anyone having the Holy Spirit will want to do good works.1y
Giving is another way of showing your love to God. True, you can give without loving, but you can't love without wanting to give. How much should you give? Ask God.1z
Two things to remember about giving. First, everything comes from God and everything is God's. Second, He promises to return to you several times whatever you give. Just keep in mind that what He gives, how He gives and when He gives is according to His schedule or plan, not yours. You may be surprised by what He gives you and how it is delivered. Probably when you least expect it. God sometimes shows His love in strange and mysterious ways. A simple definition (or test) of love: if you truly love someone, you will put that person's best interests ahead of your own. With everything He did, Jesus always put the best interests of others first.
If you want a basic principle for living as a Christian, you can't go wrong if you "do all things in love."1aa
What it means to be a Christian
The only way you can truly understand what it means to be a Christian is to be a Christian.1ba
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Biblical References (NIV-New International Version):
After reading the footnote, click on "Go back" and you will return to that annotated section of the Text you were previously reading.
1a
John 3:16 (Jesus speaking) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Go back Matt. 22:14 (in the Parable of the Wedding, Matt. 22:1-14, Jesus concludes in verse 14, using the term "many" with the understanding that it was applicable to all of those to whom he was speaking) "For many are invited, but few are chosen." John 6:40 (Jesus speaking) "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." Go back Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Go back Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 3:21-22 But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference. Go back Luke 13:5 (Jesus speaking) "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" Go back Philippians 2:5-11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1 John 5:12 He who has the son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Go back Acts 2:38 (Peter speaking) "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. Go back 1 John 4:7; 9-11; 13; 15-17; 21 Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 9This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 13We know that we live in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of god, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in the world we are like Him. 21And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Go back Matthew 19:21-24 (This is the story of the righteous rich man seeking eternal life) Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 22When the young man heard this he went away sad because he had great wealth. 23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (the "eye of a needle" is believed to be a narrow gateway through the wall of Jerusalem barely large enough to admit a man) than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Go back Mathew 19:21 ...you will have treasure in heaven... Matt. 6:19-21; 26-27; 33-34 (Jesus speaking) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also. 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. Go back Acts 22:4-5 (Paul recalling the time before his conversion-also see the following footnote) "I persecuted the followers of this Way (Christians) to their deaths, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison 5as also the high priests and all the Council can testify. Go back Acts 8:1 & 3 (During the stoning of Stephen) And Saul (later to be called Paul after his conversion) was there, giving approval to his (Stephen's) death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 3...Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Acts 9:1-6; 8; 10-13; 15-18; 19-21 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," He replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do." 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. 10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he as done to your saints in Jerusalem." 15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." 17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be fill with the Holy Spirit. 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19...Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Go back Mark 5:36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid: just believe." John 14:27 (Jesus speaking) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Go back John 1:1-2; 14; 17 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Christ Jesus. Go back John 8:47 (Jesus speaking) "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." Go back John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. Go back Mark 16:16 (Jesus speaking) "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Go back 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance which leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Go back Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Romans 3:25 God presented Him (Christ Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. Go back Acts 22:16 (Ananias has just cured Paul of his blindness as instructed by Jesus, and then gives this instruction to Paul) "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash you sins away, calling on His name." Go back 1 John 3-6 We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. 4The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: 6Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Go back Romans 3:22-24 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by His grace though the redemption which came by Christ Jesus. Go back Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Go back Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Go back Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. John 9:4 (Jesus speaking) "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. James 2:14; 17; 18 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 17...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18...Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do. Go back Luke 6:38 (Jesus speaking) "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Go back 1 John 4:7; 9-11; 13; 15-17; 21 Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 9This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 13We know that we live in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of god, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in the world we are like Him. 21And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Go back John 8:47 (Jesus speaking) "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." Go back Go Back To Homepage