Am I a Christian? If not, how do I become one?

Question

I would like for Christians of any denomination to email me so I can explain why I ask, and tell me their thoughts on how to become a Christian. It's too personal to put on a public site.

I'm not a Muslim.

Answer 1

To become a Christian, saved, a member of the body of Christ:
1. Hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
2. Believe (Hebrews 11:6, John 8:24)
3. Repent (Luke 13:3)
4. Confess (Luke 12:8)
5. Be Baptized (Mark 16:16)

All of these steps can be seen in any conversion in the book of Acts. Hear, believe, repent, and confess are not specifically mentioned in every example, although they can be at least inferred. Baptism, however, is mentioned every time.

Baptism places one "into Christ" (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27) and into contact with his death (Romans 6:3-4, Col. 2:12) where Christ shed and offered his saving blood. Baptism "saves" (1 Peter 3:21) and washes away sins (Acts 22:16) by bringing us into contact with Christ at His death.

Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16)

Many today say that one believes, is saved, and then he should be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.

If Jesus had meant, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" what would he have said?

I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

In Acts 2, about 3000 all heard the same message, all understood it the same way, all believed it the same way, and all obeyed it the same way. They became Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Today, if we read and understand what they did, believe what they believed, and do what they did, then we will become what they became - Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

So, what did they do?

They were told to:

Hear (Acts 2:verses 22, & 37)

Believe (verse 36 - "know assuredly")

Repent (verse 38)

confess (verse 37 records a verbal response that makes it clear they believed)

and "be baptized... in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (verse 38)

After all of these steps, God added them to His church (verse 47) which is the body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23). We cannot be saved if we are not in Christ.

This is the same plan followed in every conversion in Acts.

Also, in all of these examples, the converts were always baptized immediately! None of these converts either ate, drank, slept, or continued a journey until they were baptized!

Notice the conversion of Saul (Paul) (Acts, chapters 9 and 22). On the road he spoke to Jesus. Saul called him "Lord" and asked what he needed to do to be saved. Saul was told to go into the city and there he would be told what he "must do". (Acts 9:6) While in the city, he fasted for three days and he prayed (Acts 9:9-11).

Some will tell you he was saved at this point, but he still had not been told what he "must do" to be saved.

Later he was told "be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord".(Acts 22:16) He had been praying for three days, but he still needed to "call on the name of the Lord".

This phrase means he needed to rely on the authority of the Lord to be saved. To rely on his authority is to follow his instructions. Jesus instructed "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved."

"Calling on the name of the Lord" is needed for salvation (Acts 2:21), but obviously this is more than saying "Lord" and it is more than praying and fasting. Saul had done these things, but he still needed to call on the name of the Lord by submitting to His authority.

Calling on the name of the Lord means to submit to His instructions. It involved doing what is commanded. Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9)

Notice that even though Saul had nothing to eat or drink for three days, he was baptized at once, even before he took food! (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism!

Also, Saul's sins had not been washed away until he had been baptized. We cannot be saved while our sins remain.

Only the blood of Christ can wash away sins. This blood was shed at His death. (Romans 5:8-10) Romans 6:3-4 teaches us we are "baptized into His death" (See also Colossians 2:12). This is when we contact his blood and are saved.

Romans 6 also says we are "baptized into Christ" (See also Gal. 3:27). We cannot be saved outside of Christ!

Many verses talk about the blessings "in Christ", but the only verses I know of that use the phrase "into Christ" say we are "baptized into Christ". This is how we enter "into Christ".

Also at baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). We cannot be saved if we have not been "born again" into this new life in Christ.

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Answer 2

By following the original teachings of Jesus before king Constantine changed and omitted so many things. The Gospel of the Nazirenes is the Original New Testament with historical documentation. It was easy for Constantine to change them back then because women didn't read and only the highers ups in the church and government had copies. The original Christian Essenes hid an original in the basement of a Buddhist temple so the government wouldn't find it. It is now available in English. It is completely authentic. This has nothing to do with devinci code. google gospelofthenazirenes.co Christ taught karma, reincarnation, vegetarianism and no one goes to hell eternally. For sincere seekers of Christs teachings and universal truth.

Answer 3

Becoming a member of a church or denomination is no way to become a Christian. You need to have a real meeting with the Lord Jesus. Let's find out if He has placed a call on your life?

Answer 4

You've received a few true ans, like from Wisdom and Achoo and a few others, but beware of some who will steer you in the wrong direction, away from Jesus who is the ONLY WAY, The Truth and The Life! You can email me. Continue to ask, but discern all ans with God's Holy Christian Bible. God bless.

Answer 5

I will explain hot to become a beliver in Jesus= a Christian and JESUS SAID TO GO TO ALL THE WORLD AND SHARE THE GOSPEL
IT WASNT TOO PERSONAL FOR JESUS He died in open shame on the cross for us-not behind a wall

do come to believe the bible and the words of Jesus too that he would and did die for mankinds sins.
Christian means -a follower of the Messiah-from the Greek word Cristos. While many claim to follow the Messiah-Muslims say Jesus is the Messiah,

The Messiah was predicted in the Jewish Sciptures-to which Muslims for the most part say was changed=tampered with-by the Jewish people, Yet this is absurd-would the Jewish people who reject Jesus change their Hebrew Scriptures to point directly to Jesus???

A follower of the Messiah believes Isaiah=

9:6 Isaiah "Unto us is born a child, a son (YES GOD HAS A SON) is given, and he will be almighty God (Yes this child/son will be ALMIGHTY GOD), the prince of peace..."

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 also believed by followers of the Messiah and rejected by some Muslims too. "He will be exalted and made very high. He will be marred more than any man. He will sprinkle many nations. He will be despised and rejected. He will lay down his life to make atonement for our sins.

As a 'true' Jew and follower of the Jewish Messiah Jesus, He is my best friend and Savior too, and he has helped me many times to forgive those that have persecuted me for believing in Jesus.

-He did not say at his death for nothing about mankind that crucified him = "Father forgive
them , for they know not what they do."

Messiah Jesus forgave me for all my sins and come into my heart to be my savior and friend-John 3 repented of sin-even one lie and letting Jesus into our heart door to be our friend. Also see Revelation 3:19&20

Simple as that to be a believer in Jesus

why not be believing in the Messiah Jesus, even to those that say they believe in the words of the Messiah Jesus

Answer 6

It's really very easy. First you must realize that you have a sin nature and you have sinned. We all have sinned. Then know that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, came to the earth, lived, suffered, died for the payment of your sins. Then He rose again by the power of the Holy Spirit so that you can have eternal life.

Acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and repentance which means to turn away from your sins is what God requires for your salvation and to live eternally with Him. God bless.

Answer 7

i think u r doing a great thing!

i would say the most important thng is to have faith!
i hope that isn't to personal :)

i became a Christian when i was very little but what brought me to Christ was reading and understanding John 3:16. i then prayed to be in God's family and EVER scince then God has helped me through everything he will always be there fore u.

Good Luck!
&
God Bless! ;)

Answer 8

being a christian also helps you understand that there is not other religion out there more sacred, and pure....u have to truly believe that God send His only begotten Son to save u and me, if you dont believe that then u have not handed urself over to our Maker, trust and believe, and pray. there's nothing better than knowing that u have an eternity to spend with ur Father in heaven, and that u are forgiven beyond reason!!

Answer 9

You must first realize that you are a sinner in need of a savior. The Bible says that there no one righteous no not one.

That we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but he has sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us and take away our sins.

So we must repent of our sins and mean it with all of our hear and ask Jesus to forgive us come into our heart and save us from our sins.

Just praying with out repenting won't be enough

Answer 10

start with doing this.if u havent recieved JESUS yet.

read John 3:16 .GOD sent his son JESUS so when we believe in JESUS we have eternal life.JESUS lived a sinless life and gave up his life as a sacrifice so we can be sin free. Ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive ur sins and
cleanse ur past with his blood.

With a simple prayer like above u can be saved.JESUS loves u and wants u to be saved.

Answer 11

1. I must realize that in my present condition I am a sinner before God. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23.)
2. I cannot save myself from eternal punishment in hell "For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord: (Romans 6:23)
3. Christ has paid for my sins and my punishment with His death on the cross. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life: "(John 3:16)
4. I must accept His crucifixion as payment for my sins, personally. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
If you would like to have assurance of eternal life, then pray this prayer: "Lord, I know I am a sinner. I believe Your Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and make me a new person. I commit my life to you today. Amen,"
If you prayed this prayer you can send for Dr. Stanley's booklet, "The Only Door to Heaven." www.intouch.org.
When you are saved, you are sealed with God's Holy Spirit for eternity. You cannot loose your salvation because you are now adopted into the family of God.
It is important to find a bible teaching church and become part of the body of Christ to help you grow in your walk with the Lord. Read the Bible daily.