Question: "How can I become a Christian?"
Answer:The first step to become a Christian is to understand what the term “Christian” means. The origin of the term “Christian” was in the city of Antioch in the first century A.D. (seeActs 11:26). It is possible that, at first, the term “Christian” was intended to be an insult. The word essentially means “little Christ.” However, over the centuries, believers in Christ have adopted the term “Christian” and use it to identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. A simple definition of a Christian is a person who follows Jesus Christ.
Why should I become a Christian?
Jesus Christ declared that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The question then arises – why did we need to be ransomed? The idea of a ransom is a payment that must be made in exchange for the release of a person. The idea of a ransom is most frequently used in instances of kidnapping, when someone is kidnapped and held prisoner until a ransom is paid for the person’s release.Jesus paid our ransom to free us from bondage! Bondage from what? Bondage to sin and its consequences physical death followed by eternal separation from God. Why did Jesus need to pay this ransom? Because we are all infected with sin (Romans 3:23), and are therefore worthy of judgment from God (Romans 6:23). How did Jesus pay our ransom? By dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3;2 Corinthians 5:21). How could Jesus’ death sufficiently pay for all of our sins? Jesus was God in human form, God come to earth to become one of us so He could identify with us and die for our sins (John 1:1,14). As God, Jesus’ death was infinite in value, sufficient to pay for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). Jesus’ resurrection after His death demonstrated that His death was the sufficient sacrifice, that He had truly conquered sin and death.
How can I become a Christian?
This is the best part. Because of His love for us, God has made it exceedingly simple to become a Christian. All you have to do is receive Jesus as your Savior, fully accepting His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins (John 3:16), fully trusting Him alone as your Savior (John 14:6;Acts 4:12). Becoming a Christian is not all about rituals, going to church, or doing certain things while refraining from other things. Becoming a Christian is all about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through faith, is what makes a person a Christian.
Are you ready to become a Christian?
If you are ready to become a Christian by receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior, all you have to do is believe. Do you understand and believe that you have sinned and are worthy of judgment from God? Do you understand and believe that Jesus took your punishment upon Himself, dying in your place? Do you understand and believe that His death was the sufficient sacrifice to pay for your sins? If your answers to these three questions are yes, then simply place your trust in Jesus as your Savior. Receive Him, by faith, fully trusting in Him alone. That is all it takes to become a Christian!
BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean to be baptized into Christ?
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (NASB)
Baptized into Christ does not mean you have clothed yourselves with Roman Catholicism. It does mean you have been clothed in the clothing of Baptists, Methodists nor any other denomination.
Galatians 3:26-27 You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (EVR)
Baptized into Christ does not indicate you were children of God before you believed and were baptized into Christ.
Galatians 3:27 because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom (CJB)
Being immersed into the Messiah does not mean you were sprinkled or poured into the Messiah.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (KJV)
Being baptized into Christ is not in order to demonstrate your faith to the church nor a testimonial to the community.
Galatians 3:27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself (GNT)
You were not baptized into Christ simply as an act of obedience.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been immersed into Christ, have put on Christ. ( The Better Version of the New Testament by Chester Estes)
Being immersed into Christ does mean sprinkling unbelieving babies with water.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (NKJV)
Being baptized into Christ does not mean you were part of the body of Christ before you had faith in Jesus Christ.
Being baptized into Christ does not indicate that you became part of the body of Christ before you were baptized in water.
Being baptized into Christ does not mean that you were a child of God before you were baptized.
Being baptized into Christ does mean baptizing unbelieving infant nor baptizing unbelieving adults.
Jesus said it Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved...(NKJV)
Men are not saved before they are baptized into Christ.
You are not child of God before you are baptized into Christ.
You are not part of the body of Christ before you are baptized into Christ.
The Lord does not add you to His church until you are baptized into Christ.
WITHOUT FAITH AND WATER BAPTISM YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF CHRIST.
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