Christians: How does one become a genuine believer in Christ?

Answer 1

Actually, I think becoming a GENUINE believer in Christ is an on-going or progressive process. It begins when a person hears the truths of the Word of God, believes those truths and applies them to his or her own life.

Faith grows as it is fed, so that a GENUINE believer is one
who has accepted Christ into his or her life, is continuing to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, and is actively applying the truth of Scripture to their life daily.

Becoming a genuine believer in Christ must have, at its core, an ever deepening RELATIONSHIP with God, the Father, Jesus Christ, His Son and the Holy Spirit of God.

Inherent in the word GENUINE are the character qualities of humility and honesty. Those who humbly and honestly admit their need for a Savior will receive His grace to believe, His grace to receive, His grace to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God.

Answer 2

Luv gave an excellent answer, but it didn't answer the question you asked! If you follow her advice, you will be doing work righteousness. These exhortations are to believers, and don't have anything to do with how to become a Christian in the first place. Jonathan had a much better answer. I want to repeat something he said: "'No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.' - John 6:44."

The truth is, we CANNOT of our own strength become a believer. We can't even WANT to. The Bible tells us that we were chosen from the foundation of the world. That's partly what this means: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," - 2 Timothy 1:9.

That means God chose us for salvation before we were even conceived! And the only way a person can become a Christian is for the Holy Spirit to bring him to faith. A person cannot even WANT to become a Christian unless the Holy Spirit first acts, because we are dead in our trespasses and sins. We have free will, but it has been corrupted by sin. Only when the Holy Spirit acts do we become capable of becoming a Christian. We then can give our consent. And it is the Holy Spirit working through us that causes us to do good works. Good works originate WITH the Holy Spirit, and are none of our doing. We simply cooperate.

Too many Christians think we can choose to become Christians. We cannot. It is beyond our ability. Only God can regenerate a person.

Usually, if a person wants to know how to become a Christian, the Holy Spirit has already worked in his life, because he would be incapable of wanting to if the Holy Spirit had not acted. The Holy Spirit works in many ways. We can be exposed to the beautiful world, and that is a witness to God. If we are willing to accept that all of this didn't happen by chance, we have acknowledged God's witness in nature. In America, people are exposed to the Gospel in various ways. Most people know what is required. They know faith in Jesus is required. Please note that the Bible ALWAYS speaks of the faith OF Jesus Christ. Ever wonder why? It's because it's HIS faith, transplanted into our hearts. It's not ours to begin with!

I have noticed that you often ask for people's interpretations of various Bible passages. My recommendation is that you find a solid teaching church and let them instruct you. I recommend the Lutheran Church (probably at present, the best choice is the Wisconsin Synod, though if you can find a decent Missouri Synod congregation, that is also good. But you have to be a well grounded believer to figure out which congregation to join!) I am of the impression that you are a believer. And maybe you simply want to see what people say, and get a good explanation out there for people to see. However, the problem with that type of question is that many of the answers will be erroneous. This doesn't substitute for solid teaching in a solid Christian church. Martin Luther did a very deep study of the Bible. He was a highly educated and intelligent man, and he saw a lot of things from his deep study that he was able to articulate. After that, Lutherans prepared the Book of Concord, which also helps a great deal. In addition to the Lutherans, some other denominations that might be good are the Orthodox Presbyterians, and the Anglican Orthodox Church (a tiny denomination that is pretty solid in its teaching, but hard to find, as are Orthodox Presbyterian congregations.)

Answer 3

One doesn't just become a Christian. Many will say all you have to do is believe in Jesus but the truth is that the work of saving faith is something that only God can do. We do not choose it, God chooses us. Salvation is the gift of God. It does not come by works. The doctrine of choice and "free will (actually never mentioned in the bible, not even once)" states that any may choose God but the truth is that none come to God unless the Holy Spirit first draws him. The bible is full of scriptures talking of predestination. Romans 9 is the most compelling argument against the "anyone can choose to become a christian" argument. People either get justice or mercy. If you have a genuine, sincere desire to know about becoming a christian and seriously wish to become one then the Holy Spirit is already drawing you and leading to faith in Jesus.

Answer 4

I know, I know an atheist answering when the query definitively stated Christians. Forgive me. Your question is intriquing. The simple answer is believe, darn it. If you have doubts, then you can't genuinely believe. So, if it bothers you that you don't really believe I think your options are:

Ask an authority, like a pastor, priest. Relate your doubts.

Research for yourself. The bible, The Historical Jesus, The Gospel of Jesus(Fiction but enlightening) are all great starts.

Do nothing. You do have freewill. Act on it.

Answer 5

You have some really awesome answers already, and not much more could truly be added. The TRUTH must come from the Word of God. He is a VERY personal God, and He has sent & protected His Mighty Word so that ALL that truthfully wanted to come & have a relationship with Him, would be able to discover the TRUTH for themselves. So my best advise is to READ the Bible yourself. If your New (never read the Bible) then start with the New Testament and READ it all the way through! Praying with all your heart that God WILL speak to you! If you have already read the New Testament then read the Old! God has been trying in so many ways to let His children KNOW the He loves them & He wants a relationship with them, a relationship that will last for eternity! However, it is because He loves us SO much, that he gives us the FREE WILL to choose what WE want!
Before you believe in what PEOPLE have told you or displayed by their actions, at least give the Word (Bible) a chance!

Answer 6

There are lots of genuine answers here, so I thought I would throw in a "wild card" and ask "Why do you ask?" I have often seen your questions about such and such a Bible verse, and wondered whether you are just interested in various people's opinions, or whether you are genuinely searching for a personal knowledge of God's truth in His Son Jesus, or of a deeper knowledge if you are already a believer......I hope it is one of the latter two, for your sake.

Answer 7

hmm, a genuine "believer". well, Christ said, if you believe and ---then starts his "to do" lists, so to me, that would entail "action" he said to be baptised, if Christ said told us to do it, then I presume it is necessary to our salvation, Christ didnt tell us anything that was optional. He said if you love me, Keep my commandments! That would entail an action on our part, to resist the temptation, that by keeping the laws of God would cause us to do something, like keep holy the sabbath (sunday) imparts an action on our part, to get up, go to church to adore and worship our God, Jesus said we must be holy, how can we be holy? In other words, what must we do to become holy? It entails action on our part. It entails submitting our wills to God's will, Jesus said the only ones who will go to heaven are the ones who "DO" the will of God. Another action. Prayer is an action, we must pray in order to become holy,@ christ like . So I could go on and on, but a genuine believer, is a doer of God's word, not just a hearer only. God's word says as much. And this bull **** of once saved always saved is a lie of Saton to deceive God's children, some unto damnation.

Answer 8

You just need to admit you are a sinner and that you believe that Jesus died on the cross to set you free from sin .
if you'd like to start a relationship then maybe you could pray this prayer as I did 11 years ago:
Lord Jesus I am sorry for the things I have done wrong
I ask for your forgiveness and now repent from everything I have done wrong
Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever.
Amen.
God be with you
I will pray for you this evening

Answer 9

Unless you are born again you cannot enter the kingdom of God -- John 3:3

One must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with their heart that God raised Him from the dead, and they will be saved-- Romans 10.

Jesus says:John 8:12
[ I Am the Light of the World ] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

Matthew 16:24
[ Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus ] Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matthew 10:38
And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Answer 10

You surrender your life to Christ and ask Him to come into your heart. Turn away from evil and strive to do what is good in God's eyes. Forsake all other gods and follow Christ.