|
Becoming a Christian
Many people have questions about what being a Christian
is, and this information will help you if you have similar
questions. We also encourage you to study the Bible,
and to be involved in a local church that teaches the truth of Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to be a Christian? At its simplest, it
means trusting in Jesus Christ as God's Son. A Christian is one who places
their faith and hope in Christ, and who turns away from the sin in their
lives. If you would like to know more, please continue reading:
|
1: God's Purpose:
Peace and Life |
God loves you and wants
you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal.
The Bible says...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." [Romans 5:1]
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
[John 3:16]
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly." [John 10:10]
Why don't most people
have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
|
2: The Problem: Our Separation
|
God created us in His
own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to
automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God
and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in
separation from God
The Bible says..."For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." [Romans 3:23]
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord."
[Romans 6:23]
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and
God...
The Bible says..."There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to
death." [Proverbs 14:12 ]
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have
hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
[Isaiah 59:2]No bridge reaches God...except one.
|
3: God's Bridge: The
Cross |
Jesus Christ died on
the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and
bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says..."For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus
Christ."
[1 Timothy 2:5]
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God."
[1 Peter 3:18]
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8]
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
|
4: Our Response:
Receive Christ |
We must trust Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says..."Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will
come in and eat with him, and he with me." [Revelation
3:20]
"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]
"That 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]
Where are you?
|
Will you receive Jesus
Christ right now? |
Here is how you can
receive Christ:1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the
grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life
through the Holy Spirit.
(Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I
believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite
You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord
and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Call on the Lord in repentance and faith, using that
prayer or similar words of your own, and Jesus will become your Savior and
Lord.
Welcome to the family of God! If you sincerely prayed
this prayer, you have just made the most important decision of your life.
You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life.
|
God's Assurance: His Word
|
If you prayed this
prayer,
The Bible says..."Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
[Romans 10:13] Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right
now? What has He given you?"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]
Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural
work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called
regeneration, or the "new birth."
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ! To deepen this
relationship you should:1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where
Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by
your love and concern for others.
This information is
reprinted from the the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website found
here.
All Scripture references are taken from the
New International Version
of the Bible.
TOP
|
