How does one become a member of the Body of Christ?

Question

In other words, how does one become a Christian? Did they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and accept Him into their hearts? What does the Bible say?

How are we made part of the Body of Christ? The Bible says:

Baptized into one body
1 Corinthians 12:13 " In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been BAPTIZED INTO THE ONE BODY by the same Spirit"

Galatians 3:27 "You were BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH CHRIST, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself."

Colossians 2:11-12 "In union with Christ you were circumcised, not with the circumcision that is made by human beings, but with the circumcision made by Christ, which consists of being freed from the power of this sinful self. For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ through your faith in the active power of God, who raised him from death."

As for the question of salvation, baptism necessary for salvation

1 Peter 3:20-21 "These were the spirits of those who had not obeyed God when he waited patiently during the days that Noah was building his boat. The few people in the boat---eight in all---were saved by the water, which was a symbol pointing to baptism, which now saves you.

Answer 1

1 Peter 3:21 -
"Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

John 6:54 -
"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

Matthew 25:34-40 -
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

Great question - God bless and Merry Christmas.

Answer 2

Becoming a christian involves the realization that you're a sinner- and you need to repent and turn from the life that you have led to one that Glorifies Jesus. Romans 10:9-13 says:"If you confess Jesus is Lord with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, You will be saved. As the scripture says- Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame- for there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- the same Lord is the Lord of all and richly blesses all that call on Him. For everyone that calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Answer 3

The actual "Body of Christ" are those who do go to heaven for the purpose of being kings and priests with Jesus in ruling his Kingdom. I don't particularly want to rule anyone. I happen to like earth especially when it is clean. I can trust these rulers as they all have experience on earth, know what we go through, and have the smarts to do what is beneficial for all. I will be happy to finally let my curiosity have free reign. I had to clamp it down far to long. With time and perfect health, I could satisfy my tremendous curiosity about everything! "Little flock" or "other sheep" we are still sheep under the one master shepherd, Jesus. Still is the best neighborhood to be in. Since Jehovah and Jesus would be in agreement on choosing who is a part of that "body", if I were chosen, I would obey, but I am not looking for it.

Answer 4

Let’s see how the early Christians answered this question:

Justin Martyr: "As many as are persuaded and believe that what we Christians teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, and instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we pray and fast with them.

"Then they are brought by us where there is water and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father . . . and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit [Matt. 28:19], they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, ‘Unless you are born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [John 3:3]" (First Apology 61, A.D. 151).

Cyprian of Carthage: "When they receive also the baptism of the Church . . . then finally can they be fully sanctified and be the sons of God . . . since it is written, ‘Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’" (Letters 71[72]:1, A.D. 253).

The most basic act of joining the body of Christ is to die to our old lives in baptism. Water baptism is the way we are born again into the body of Christ and receive new life (see also Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12–13; Titus 3:5).

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 5

Romans ch.8 and 10,John 3:16-18

Answer 6

We are saved by grace through faith.

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 Peter 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts 8:37
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Answer 7

You already are a member, per the fact that you are a human being. The catch is recognizing that fact and acting on it.

The phrase "Accept Jesus Christ as their own and personal savior" is nowhere in the Bible. That seems to be something some fundamentalist churches use to get you to agree with their opinions about God.

But Jesus is already in your heart. You might have to grow in recognition of that fact, but He is already there, giving both physical and spiritual life.

The Bible quotes Jesus as saying "They will know you are my followers by the love you have for each other." To love God and others is Jesus's most important command to us.

John 13:34-35

Answer 8

You've got it right there. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and follow his word. That's all you need to do. Follow his rules, if you mess up which all humans do then ask him for forgivness because you have accepted him as your Savior.

Answer 9

Baptism.

Answer 10

Repentance and conversion
Matt 28:19