Deciding to follow Jesus is the most important decision in our lives. But how does a person become a Christian? Today’s confusing world makes it very difficult because everyone seems to say something different. The question we should be asking is not “What do most people believe?” but “What does the Bible say about becoming a Christian?” Take a look at the brief video for more.
The Bible teaches that for a person to be saved, they must first hear the gospel or the Good News about Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14). The good news summarized is that Jesus came, died, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). He died for us so that we might live with him eternally (1 Thessalonians 5:10). God has offered a great salvation freely, but we must choose to receive it (1 Corinthians 15:1).
By hearing this message, we have an opportunity to believe in Jesus and His Good News (Mark 1:15; John 3:16–18). We must believe in Him so that we might have eternal life in Him. But we must not overlook that to believe/trust Him means we are to obey Him (John 3:36; 6:28–29). Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19), but are the demons saved? Although demons and people can both believe, what makes a saved person different depends on the next step.
We must recognize our need to repent of those sins (Romans 3:23). Repenting means to change or “turn around” from our sins. We need to recognize that our sins are wrong and turn away from living that life (Romans 6:1–2). We cannot continue in our sins or else we will perish (Luke 13:3). Demons may believe, but they refuse to turn away from their sins and continue to rebel against God. Repentance is the hardest step and requires serious commitment, which many, even in Jesus’s day, were unwilling to do.
Next, we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9–10). If we already believe in Jesus, we only need to make that known with our mouth! Confessing means to “admit” or “acknowledge” and is often used to describe “confessing sin.” But here, what we are asked to do is acknowledge that Jesus is Lord!
Assuming we have done these things, there is one key step remaining to becoming a Christian. Peter taught on the day of Pentecost that we must, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). The word “baptism” means to immerse in water. This immersion serves as a burial into the death of Christ so that just as Christ died and was raised, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). Baptism is when a person “puts on Christ” (Galatians 3:27), becomes part of the body/church of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and therefore becomes a Christian (Romans 6:3).
Now that you’ve learned about the Gospel and becoming a Christian, we invite you to Visit Us for worship so we can meet you or send us a message using the button below!