Becoming a Christian
What is Christianity?
How did the word “Christian” begin?
During the life of, and following the death of Christ, those who followed Jesus were referred to as “disciples,” “brothers,” “the faithful,” “elect,” or “the believers.” As time continued, after much persecution, the followers of Christ scattered beyond Jerusalem and Israel and were later called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). That name - "Christian," however, was originally meant as a derogatory term by pagan unbelievers. The Apostle Peter, in his writings, indicated that the term "Christian" was also used by the pagan world in a deroatory sense; however, Peter challenged believers to use the name of Christian as a “badge of honor” (1 Pet 4:15-16). In that same vein, that term was also used sarcastically by Emperor Nero in 64 A.D. when he blamed “Christians” for starting the fire that blazed Rome. As a result, many followers of Christ were martyred. By the early 2nd century A.D., the word “Christian” had become the normal term used for "followers of Christ," and a title for which many were willing to die.
"Christian" – "Follower of Christ"
Is Christianity a religion?
Man has always tried to please God through his own efforts, but has always fallen short. He was born with a sinful nature and incapable of being “good enough” for God. Yet, he was created with the innate ability to know there is a creator who created him and the nature around him.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…NKJV
Throughout time, as man has continued to try to reach God with his own efforts, religion became the way for man to try to connect with God. Rules or traditions were set up by religious organizations for man to reach and please God, or even other gods. That, however, was not possible and certainly not what God desired.
A relationship with God is not man trying to reach up and please God, but God reaching down to man. God has always desired an intimate relationship with His creation. As such, 2000 years ago He came down to earth as a man through His Son Jesus Christ. In His effort to bring man unto Himself, He sent His Son to die for the sins of humanity. As such, He accepts mankind just as they are - filled with sin; however, He wants to develop a relationship with each of His creation. God left a part of Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit, who does the work of change for those who say “yes” to His Son Jesus.
Christianity then is based on trust – trust in God through His Son Jesus Christ as LORD. Another word for trust is “belief” or “faith.” Christianity, therefore, is not a religion, but a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Belief, faith, and trust are all synonymous words meaning the same thing
Christianity is a relationship with Christ
The core of Christianity, as shown in the New Testament, rests on belief in the following five points:
- Jesus is the Son of God – yet He is also God. He is also the second person of the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humanity.
- God raised Jesus from the dead.
- Jesus, as head of the Church, is now up in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for His body - those who believe in Him.
- Jesus is coming back one day to gather His body to bring them all unto Himself to spend eternity with Him.
Belief, faith, and trust in Who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done for mankind, is what Christianity is all about. God, therefore, is simply looking for those who will have faith in Him and His Son. That trust and communion comes from a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. That faith begins the journey of a relationship as God desires intimate fellowship and communion with those who trust in Him. For those who trust in Who Jesus is and what He has done for us, eternal life is the promise of salvation.
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (trust and faith) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Distinguishing Christianity from other religions
To distinguish Christianity from other religions of the world, many people have classified Christianity as a religion. Christianity is not a religion; however, but man can turn it into a religion. Once he begins to add rules or traditions to his faith, it changes a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ to a set of impersonal laws, thus changing Christianity to be a dead, dry religion. That, however, is not what God desires.
How to become a Christian
A misconception
It has been taught by many that man should clean up his life before coming into the church or becoming a Christian. That is not only wrong, it is backward thinking. A person has no capacity to clean up his life UNTIL he becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. It takes the move of the Holy Spirit to come inside of that person to do that work of regeneration. When that happens, your way of thinking, the way you look at life and your priorities then become new. The things that characterized your life - that controlled and dictated your lifestyle, your priorities, the things that were not part of God’s plan for you now becomes part of your past, because by saying “yes” to Jesus, you said “yes” to the Holy Spirit to come into your life to take up residency within you.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Becoming a Christian is not based on works – what YOU can do to please God. You become a brand new creation in God when YOU CHOOSE to BELIEVE (having faith and trust) in Jesus and what He has done for you. When you do, you simply give permission for the Holy Spirit to enter into your life and make the changes that God wants to make within you. At that point of time, a miracle of creation, or regeneration, takes place - you will then be saved from hell and converted into Christianity. The Holy Spirit of God comes to live within you. Heaven is now your eternal home.
Belief in the truth
God wants us to have belief in the truth - the truth of His Word. When you say "yes" to Jesus, you allow the Holy Spirit to enter into your life. It is now time to open up God's Word to see what He has to say to you. Because you now have the Holy Spirit living within you, He will help you see the Scriptures in a whole new way than you have ever seen before. Truth will be revealed to you. Belief in the truth will cause you to recognize sin and cause you to realize that you need to change the direction of your life. Belief in the truth will cause you to accept that Jesus is the Son of God. Belief in the truth will cause you to believe in Jesus' resurrection. Belief in the truth will cause confession, enabling sanctification (which is the working of God in you) of the Spirit to take place, which is the process of the miracle that takes place in your life when you become a Christian.
God has a plan and purpose for you
God’s desire is that you live the best life here on earth and then continue in that great life by spending eternity with Him - forever. God has a plan a purpose for you – now, throughout the rest of your life, and throughout all of eternity. When you say “yes” to Jesus, by inviting the Holy Spirit to take up residence within you, you give permission to allow the Holy Spirit to take control over your life. The things that characterize your old life - that control and dictate your lifestyle, your priorities, the things that are not part of God’s plan for you become part of your past. As you keep saying “yes,” to Jesus, the Holy Spirit can deal with those old things that are unpleasing to Him – whereas without Him you are incapable of making any lasting changes within you. As such, you enter in on a new adventure in God.
Christianese words
People of various Christian denominations or religious affiliations use and even prefer certain “Christianese” words for becoming a Christian or going to heaven. They become “pet” words for the same thing. Some people are turned off by the use of certain words such as born-again, or saved, while others insist that those words must be used. This is sad because words then become divisive. Don't allow any "Christianese" words to become divisive between you and other Christians. Treat them simply as words used by people of varying backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions.
What does scripture say?
Just a little walk through Scripture points out that there are many different words for the same process of going to heaven. By searching out a multitude of scripture verses on the subject, it can be seen that God uses several different words for the same process. Pay particular attention to the scriptures verses below and notice the underlined words in each verse. When you are finished, you will recognize that they all mean the same thing.
|
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. |
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God |
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notice the key words in these verses that stand out as pre-requisites to getting into heaven. We see the words believe, born-again, everlasting life, eternal life, conversion, confession, calling upon, receive Him, saved, salvation, grace and faith.
The Greek meaning of the word “believe”
People often confuse the meaning of the word “believe.” It does not mean a mental assent – it goes much deeper than that. According to two English dictionaries (Dictionary.com and American Heritage), the word "believe" means to "have confidence in," "trust in the existence or the reliability of something - to be persuaded." To "accept and expect as truth or real." To have "firm faith," "confidence," or "trust."
We must, however, for complete accuracy on the word “believe” go into the Greek biblical meaning because the New Testament was written in Greek and later translated into English. As such, the meaning of words can change when being translated from one language to another. The Greek meaning of the word "believe" goes even deeper than what our English dictionary protray. The word "believe" means to have “faith” or “trust” in – entrust oneself to the care of.
Strong's Concordance: Believe - NT 4100 pisteuo (pist-yoo'-o); from NT:4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):
Christianity is not earned by works
You will notice that in all of the above scripture verses, there is nothing said about being good enough to earn your way to heaven. In fact, these Scriptures totally deny any works to becoming a Christian and going to heaven. There also is nothing said about any religious traditions, sacraments (such as baptism or confirmation) or church rites listed in the Word of God as a pre-requisite to becoming a Christian or going to heaven.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
How to come to Christ
We are saved (from hell, and the sin-filled life) by our faith - our belief in Jesus - Who He is, and all that He did for us. The Bible says that we must call upon the name of the Lord, (that's what prayer is) and confess with our mouths before Him and others what we believe in our hearts. Remember those five points of the core of Christianity:
- Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, yet He is God.
- Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross, shedding His blood for you?
- Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?
- Do you believe that Jesus is now up in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for you?
- Do you believe that Jesus is coming back to get His body to bring them all unto Himself to spend eternity with Him?
In the 2nd chapter of Acts, the Apostle Peter (after receiving the Holy Spirit) stood up with the other eleven disciples to a large crowd of Jews and stated that Jesus of Nazareth, Whom they crucified, actually was God in the flesh, come down to earth to save them. Peter recited several Old Testament Scriptures prophesying Jesus’ forthcoming. According to Acts 2:37 - when the people heard, they were "pierced,” or “cut” to their hearts. In other words, they were extremely sorrowful. They were repentant - and then they believed. Crying out to Peter they said, "What shall we do now? Jesus is already crucified!" Peter told them to “repent of their sins and their unbelief,” and what they did in crucifying the Lord - “believe and commit their lives to Christ.” Three thousand people were added to the Church that day, having as their eternal home heaven. The disciples then went around all Judea proclaiming Jesus as not only the Son of God, but God incarnate. (come to earth as flesh) They told the people of the New Covenant that Jesus had brought--the "law of love," and told them that Jesus came to fulfill the Old Covenant, by bringing a new one.
Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"
The disciples went around pleading with the people to repent, acknowledging their need for a Savior, and turn to God in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Year after year the disciples went around doing miracles, preaching and teaching Jesus crucified, died, buried and resurrected, telling others of God's new law of love. Multitudes continued to come to Christ, believing in the only begotten Son of God. Still the message was the same. It never changed. Traveling on land, across the sea, the message is: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
1. Believe in Who Jesus is--the Son of God, yet God Himself.
2. Believe that Jesus died, shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary for your sins.
3. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.
4. Believe that Jesus now sits on the right hand of God Almighty on His throne in heaven interceding for you, on your behalf.
5. Believe that Jesus is coming back to get His body--which is the universal church; that He is coming soon to bring all His people unto Himself--forever.
God desires everyone to be saved
It is God's desire that everyone be saved – Jew and Gentile alike. He sent His Son to die for the sins on mankind. He doesn't want anyone to die and spend an eternity in hell.
1 Tim 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
If you are not sure that heaven is your eternal home, and you believe the five points about Jesus Christ, acknowledging your need for a Savior, pray this prayer.
Dear God in heaven,
I believe that Jesus is Your Son. I believe that He died, shedding His blood, and paying the penalty for my sins on the cross of Calvary. I believe that You raised Him from the dead, where He now sits with You on Your throne and one day come back to gather His believers unto Himself.
I repent of my sins and acknowledge that I have need of a Savior. I thank you God that I don't have to live in my sins, but I can overcome them because of Jesus.
I now open myself up for Your Holy Spirit to enter into my life to make those changes within me. I choose to live the good life, right here and now and throughout eternity with You. I choose to live out my beliefs in Your Son Jesus according to Your Word--the Bible. I thank you God that I am going to heaven after I die to live with you forever. Forever, I am grateful for what You have done for me.
In Jesus' name.......Amen
The most important decision of your life
If you said the above prayer for the very first time, a miracle has taken place in your life - the New Birth. God has now come to reside inside you. He breathed life into you by planting His seed within you through His Holy Spirit to help you live His wonderful abundant life, right here and now and be your guarantee to one day going to heaven.
This by far was the most important decision you have ever made in your life. You have chosen to love God through His Son, purposing to serve Him while on earth, and you made the choice to spend eternity in Heaven with your Creator. Congratulations!
To learn how to grow in your faith, faithfully read your Bible and pray everyday. Develop that intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. You are now a “follower of Christ” - you are now a Christian. As an aid to your Christian growth, there are many articles in theonlinebibleschool.com to help you grow. Use them as support as you read and study the Word of God and spend time in prayer. Get to know God!