How to Become A Christian
I am so glad you are here. Becoming a follower of Jesus is the best decision I ever made, and I hope you will feel that way too. But what exactly does that entail?
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
1. Hear the word
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NLT)
What is the Good News of Christ? “For God so loved the world, that he sent his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
2. Believe in Christ
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she told him. ‘I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.’” (John 11:25-27)
Once we have heard about who Christ is, we choose whether we believe in him or not. It is repeated over and over in the bible that those who believe in Jesus will be saved.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Repent of your sins
“Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
“God overlooked peoples ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.” (Acts 17:30)
Not exactly sure what sin is? Check out my post “What is sin?"
4. Confess your sins and belief in Jesus
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
“As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, ‘Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” (Acts 8:36-37)
5. Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
“And that waters is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
6. Live faithfully
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)
“So I (Paul) say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
“I (Jesus) am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit and he prune the branches that do bear fruit so that they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I a the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-6)
Getting connected with a Christian community is so important in this step. God uses us all to build each other up and further his gospel. Check out my post about Christian community to learn more.
