I was a Christian when I was growing up. I was baptized at age 12. So if I want to become a Christian again, do I have to do something, or do I just start being Christian like I was before?
2006-11-02 14:54:09 · 40 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A lot of people have replied to this question by saying that you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, welcoming Jesus into your heart and life, and admitting you are a sinner and asking for forgiveness.
These are good starts, but these are ONLY a start. To be a Christian means to be Christ to others. Read the Gospels and see what Jesus did. He forgave people, he fed the people, he cured them of ailments that kept them from being part of society. These are the things we must do if we are to be Christian. Read the 25th Chapter of Matthew and you will see what you must do.
Being a Christian is more than just believing, it is DOING.
2006-11-03 01:15:50 · answer #1 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you understand about repentance, baptism, living a clean life for Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, etc. when you were 12yo? If not then you must repent for any sins.....and do so each time you sin. Read Acts 2: 38-42. This is what Peter the Apostle told the people to do if they wanted to be saved. Draw as close to God as possible. You have to have the spirit of Christ on the inside in order to be called a true Christian.
2006-11-02 15:15:16 · answer #2 · answered by imaniche 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by attending services again. Since you are baptised take communion. Speak to your minister/paster about attending an adult bible class to become reaquainted with the faith and with the doctrines followed by your denomination.
Most Important, ATTEND CHURCH SERVICES!!!!!
I don't mean you have to go every week, HE knows that sometimes life causes us to miss a week or two because of work and life circumstances.
Christmas is coming, so try to attend the advent services (the four sundays before christmas representing love, hope, peace and joy).
Just remember its your decision no one can shove their opinions and beliefs down your throat, you have to find whats the best fit for you. DOn't feel comfortable where you started as a child? Go down the street and around the corner and see if thats a good fit.
2006-11-02 15:15:55 · answer #3 · answered by smileyd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear heron, Im ver concerned because the BIble never says we become a christian by Baptism, baptism is an act of obediance, but it is not a means of salvation. I would like to help you by asking you a few questions.......
Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
Have you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and the BIble says "he who hates his brother is a murderer." (1 John) bearing in mind God has seen every secret sin, woudl you be innocen or guilty? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven.
He sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.
Your own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name, And the BIble says what you Must do to be saved and becomae a true Christian is repent (turn from sin) and Place your full faith and trust in Christ like you would trust a parachute. if you will do this, God will then forgive you of al sins Past, present, and futer, and you will know you hve been forgiven and are apart of the family of God
God Bless
WDJD
2006-11-02 15:08:05 · answer #4 · answered by WDJD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To BECOME a Christian: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
To BE a Christian: endeavour to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord.
More specifically to your question. WERE you a Christian when you were young, or did you just live "like" a Christian, etc.?
I know some people are certain, based on Scripture, that they are Christians; others sometimes are not sure. One story is told of a man who "went forward" at an evangelistic service. His prayer was "Lord, if you didn't do it 30 years ago, do it now" -- i.e., Lord, if you didn't save me 30 years ago, do it now.
Most churches would say that baptism is a ONE TIME sacrament. But if you have "wandered away from God", perhaps there is some need for "restoration", for renewing your promises to God, to the local congregation, etc.
2006-11-02 15:03:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think you should ask forgiveness from Jesus and turn from your old ways, whatever they are. Although you are still a Christian, since you were separated from God, seek Him by having a personal relationship with Him. Read your Bible again and this time, grasp what it teaches by praying to God to give you the wisdom and understanding. When you do that and you are sincere about it, God will unlock that "door" to the knowledge of Him and His true nature.
May Jesus' light shine upon you and that you will be the 'light' and the 'salt' of the earth. *smile*
2006-11-02 15:15:34 · answer #6 · answered by Pureza T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are truly a Christian from the start, you can never stop being a Christian; it is against the very nature of the being.
If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is God and that He died to pay for your sins, then you can be saved. There is necessary repentance that must follow your belief as well. If a person says that they believe in God and don't show it, then their faith is dead (James 2).
As for your baptism...if you were truly a Christian at the time of your baptism, and it was fully immersing baptism that was performed by a Church representative in a church of sound doctrine, you don't need to be re-"baptized"...otherwise you should.
Belief in Christ will bring about fruits in your life...we are made unto good works (Ephesians 2.8-10).
God bless you in your search. Hope this helped.
PS: find a church that teaches from the Bible and gives every answer to your questions directly from the Bible.
2006-11-02 15:01:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ask Jesus into your heart and life,to come back to you. Ask forgiveness of any sin known or unknown. Go to as good church where they teach the word of God. Pray and live for God. You are born again. sounds like you just got off track, no big deal we all do that, but we get back up
tell Jesus you love him every day and need him, he will start reveling things to you in many ways and teach you many things, always keep God in your knowlege, or mind.
He loves you very much, more than you know
2006-11-02 18:18:19 · answer #8 · answered by Gifted 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be a true Christian you have to get to know God's Will, and then do it that is the first step, so the first thig you do is get accurate knowledge about the Will of God and then live by it!when you live by God's Will is when and how you truly come to be a Christian, not just by claiming that you are!
2006-11-02 15:12:28 · answer #9 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you became a Christian did you confess and believe in your heart that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. If you had gone through a truly born-again experience by doing this your are a Christian and can start to walk in His ways
by going to a good church that has a vision of transforming you to be more like Jesus. We all are called to be like Christ to the world.
2006-11-02 15:03:36 · answer #10 · answered by seekfind 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋