On Becoming A Christian
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
One of the most loosely used words in modern English is the term “Christian.” It has been applied to almost everyone from the faithful member of the church, to the non-religious moral man, who holds as his greatest attributes that he provides for his family and does not mistreat his wife. In this present generation, multiplied thousands who thus consider themselves Christians, have never realized what the Bible actually teaches on this vital subject.
What Constitutes A Christian?
As we learn from a study of the Bible, merely “believing in Christ” does not make one a child of God, but rather gives us “power to become sons of God” (John 1:12). Jesus said, “Not everyone 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).
Again we remember the wicked rulers who “believed on him” but did not confess him because “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).
Since the term “Christian” is used in the Bible only to refer to active, obedient followers of Christ (Romans 6:17; Gal. 5:6), it is obvious that it takes more than mere faith for a person to actually become a Christian (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16).
We should always bear the following in mind when defining a “Christian”: Merely “thinking” ourselves to be saved does not make it so, and even if the whole world should judge us to be a Christian, that this is not the true test of discipleship. God is our savior, not man, therefore only He has the divine right to say “how” we are to be saved and thus to rightly wear the name of His Son.
Becoming A Christian
What is it to become a Christian according to God’s Word? The New Testament teaches that one:
- must hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17) in order to acquire faith (Hebrews 11:6).
- must believe in Christ (John 8:24).
- must repent or turn from their sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30).
- must confess Christ as God’s Son before man (Matthew 10:32).
- must be baptized “into Christ” for remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27).
- must be faithful in serving the Lord daily (Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13; Revelation 2:10).
Becoming and living daily as a faithful Christian should be the aim and goal of all of us (Revelation 22:17; Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10).