How does someone become a Christian?
There needs to be more clarity about that these days. Many people say they are Christians because they believe Jesus Christ lived, but that doesn’t make them Christians. To be a Christian, you must be a follower of Jesus Christ. Even Satan believes in Christ, but he’s not a follower.
What does it mean to be a follower? Followers must believe that:
- The teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles is how we should try to live our lives.
- There is one God of the Universe who created the heavens and the Earth. God is the Father of Jesus and one with him and the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus came to Earth, giving up his power as God to be fully man. He lived as a man without sin; he voluntarily gave his life to be crucified on the cross for our sins so that he could accept our punishment on our behalf, knowing that we were incapable of living a sinless life.
- Jesus rose on the third day from the grave, alive, in human form, sinless. He remained on Earth, seen by many people as written in history books, and then ascended into Heaven, where he now sits on the right hand of God until he returns one day for his followers to join him.
Once people believe that Christ died for their sins and repent in sorrow for their sins, acknowledging their powerlessness to keep from sinning on their own, they ask Jesus to forgive them and accept them as one of his children. If you sincerely mean your confession, show your commitment by getting baptized publicly, becoming Christ’s child forever. Christ then sends the Holy Spirit to live in you. However, expect a gradual jolt of change. The change occurs over time as you read your Bible and feel God guiding and teaching you in your new life.
Why did Jesus have to die for our sins?
When God made the world, he allowed us to have free will. The original plan was that we all would have a choice to live our lives without sin, choosing to do good and not sin on our own. Only man did not make that choice. Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and brought death into the world along with the first sin. The man continued to sin after that. God gave man a means to ask for forgiveness and repentance from sin through sacrifice. While they sacrificed, their repentance lasted only briefly, and they immediately returned to their old ways. Sin was so common that no one on Earth was going to be able to go to Heaven. Jesus’s voluntary sacrifice was the only way.
How would I ask Jesus to become my Savior?
You can have a heart-to-heart conversation with him and tell him what you want, but here’s a sample prayer that can give you an idea.
“Jesus, I want to be more like you, but I am weak. Please forgive me for my sins. I know you are all-powerful and can help me live according to God’s will. I want to follow you as my Savior. Thank you for your death on the cross and for dying for my salvation. Amen.”
After you say that prayer, it’s essential that you follow through on establishing a relationship with him. Get a Bible that you would like to read. There are all types available now—audio, apps on your phone, CDs, Hard and soft copy books, and loads of versions. I recommend getting one that says it’s a translation rather than an interpretation. Translations stick to the word of God, whereas interpretations are someone’s opinion about what might have happened.
Next, find a church with a congregation that you feel comfortable attending. You want somewhere that feels like home. Preferably, it should be somewhere that welcomed you the first time you came and one that speaks from the Bible and not the latest headline news.
If you can find a good Bible study group, you will learn more about a subject plus get to know members better. Even a virtual Bible study would be helpful to give you spiritual support and encouragement. Another good source of encouragement is Christian radio. Listening to Contemporary Christian music is very uplifting and energetic.
If you need more information, please ask.
