How does one become a Christian?
The Bible answers that question in several places. Let's look at three.
1) A jailer in the ancient city of Philippi asked "what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30
The answer provided is simple: "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". Thus the most basic part of becoming a Christian is to believe that Jesus is who He claims to be.
2) The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome explaining salvation and the need for it. Paul explains about sin. Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." He then explains what we get for sin and the "free to us" gift God gave through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In Romans 10:9 & 10 Paul expands the understanding of salvation with some simple, yet powerful instructions. "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."
Becoming a Christian acknowledges that Jesus is not only Lord of all life, but has power over death as well.
3) In this third example, Jesus issued a call to a sinful tax collector named Matthew that was simple, yet required total commitment. "Follow Me!" was all Jesus needed to say. Matthew left all and followed Jesus and introduced Jesus to his friends too.
By combining these three, we get a simple process that requires us to believe in Jesus as being God in the flesh who died for our sins and rose from the dead, confessing openly that we believe He is Lord of everything including our lives, and forsaking all other priorities we commit to follow Him. Believing, Confessing, and Following Him is the life of becoming a Christian. It's a lifelong journey and commitment that results in an eternal life with our Creator God.
If you would like to speak with anyone with our church please contact one of our ministers as they would love to talk further with you about this decision and life. Phone 919-362-7479 or email info@olivechapel.org.