Becoming a Christian
Becoming a Christian can be confusing in today’s world where there are so many different denominations that teach conflicting ideas about Christianity. In fact, people are sometimes discouraged from being Christians because of the great number of different churches. Many want to be Christians, but they do not know where to begin. The place to begin is not with what man says, but with what Jesus says in the New Testament.
What did Jesus Say?
Believe:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25. Becoming a Christian is more, though, than just believing; for Jesus said to some that believed in him, “If you abide in My word, you are my disciple indeed” John 8:31. What else does His word say?
Repent:
“… but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” Luke 13:3. Repentance is changing your mind and deciding to live as Jesus lived. This change of mind leads to confessing His name.
Confess:
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” Matthew 10:32. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God is a statement of our faith in Him. But our faith in Christ must be followed by the next step of obedience.
Be Baptized:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” Mark 16:16. After taking the step of baptism, you become a child of God, a new creature, saved by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:3-6).
Follow Me!
While baptism is the beginning of the Christian life, it is not the end. Jesus wants His disciples to continue to walk as He walked. “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12.
Just Christians
When you follow Jesus Christ and Him only, you become a Christian and only a Christian. In the New Testament, the disciples wore only the name of Christ because they were just Christians and nothing else. Today, though, many wear the names of denominations, identifying themselves with a man-made organization. You can decide to be just a Christian by laying aside all man-made names and practices and determining to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.