Becoming a Christian

We are often asked, “What do I have to do to be saved, to become a Christian?” The Bible answer is, “NOTHING!” That is the shocking truth! Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

You see, the work is already DONE by Jesus in His death on the cross. It is not “DO,” but it is “DONE” (John 19:30).  Eternal life, forgiveness of sin, becoming a Christian is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23).

Each of us recognizes that a gift must be received, however. This gift is no different! In fact, the Bible says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  The question becomes, “How do I receive this gift?” It is as simple as the “ABC’s,” yet is the mystery of God (Ephesians 3:7-12)!

A  Admit you have need of Jesus in your life. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  You cannot be united to God on your own. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 B  Believe Jesus can forgive you.  He can bring you to God. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

 C  Confess the name of Jesus and repent of (turn away from or disown) your sins. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).  It also states, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

 D  Die! Yes, the Bible says we die to our old way of sin. In fact, Paul reminds the Romans, “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:2-4). There is a burial to show that death, so you are baptized by immersion. When you come out of the water of baptism, you are alive in Christ!

 E  Eternal life is yours! “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1; also, Romans 6:22; 8:31-39).

 F  Follow up on your decision. Now is the time to begin growing and serving the Lord. Check with one of our pastors or leaders (Ephesians 2:10).