How to Become a Christian

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me". (John 14:6)

Evidence outside the New Testament, includes

Josephus the Jewish historian born AD 37, mentioned Jesus in his writings

(3)[63] Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day

From: Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus.

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher, he'd either be a lunatic - on a level with a man who says he's a poached egg - or else he'd be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse... But don't let us come up with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He hasn't left that open to us. He didn't intend to."

3. Admit we are Sinners

We all know we've done something wrong in our lives, our conscience bears witness. Con = with, Science = knowledge. We have sinned "with-knowledge"

"since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them". (Romans 2:15)

Lying and blaspheming, are just two sins many people are guilty of. Yet these two sins, (which people conveniently label as "small sins"), mean they've broken the "Ten Commandments" (Gods Law) and are therefore separated from God

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. (Psalm 5:6)

God is good AND JUST, as a JUST God He must punish sinners. He punishes them with eternal separation/destruction...

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon". (Isaiah 55:7)

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin.." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

4. Believe Jesus Died to Save us

As sinners we deserve punishment. But God loves us so much, that He sent His Son to take our punishment!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

Jesus took Our Punishment...

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:4-6)

NOTE: The passage above is a Prophecy, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

We need to Believe, to be Saved...

5. Prepare for Obstacles

Satan

Satan is real, he is here on earth with us. Satan and his mates hate Christians, (Christians have power and authority over them). Satan will do everything to halt, stop and side track anybody from knowing God. Satan keeps people from knowing God by deception and busyness'.

"You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me, declares the LORD".(Jeremiah 9:6)

The way to get through all this is by perseverance and prayer, when you are halted or stopped from believing for what ever reason. Remember who is behind it and press on. Satan will continue to throw obstacle after obstacle in your way, you must battle through it and look to Jesus. It's very hard but worth it in the end.

"..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us". (Hebrews 12:1)

The World

The world is one big distraction, people are so caught up in every day chores, work, worries and luxuries etc. that they don't have time to think, let alone seek their Creator. They also accept every theory about life, without testing or investigating any of them.

"For everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever". (1 John 2:16)

God doesn't want us to accept any theory or religion, without looking at the facts first and investigating. He wants us to use our minds, to think about what we are being taught. He has left us a mountain of evidence for Jesus (look in Christian book stores). By the way you can't trust programmes on television, most so called Christian programmes are made by non-Christians! Who do not know God!

6. Prepare for Persecution

Making a Definite Decision to Follow Christ

Christians are different to non-Christians: they have different priorities in life, different values, spend their time differently (go to church etc.). People generally dislike others for being different (racism, disabled etc.), their sense of security is based on being like everyone else, fitting in with society and believing what everyone else believes.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12)

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27)

Obey Christ...

"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven". (Matthew 7:21)

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42)

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17)

7. DO IT

Seek God

We need to find a quite place away from people and distractions, we go there purposefully, to meet with God (see How to talk with God).

Opening Ourselves to Jesus...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me". (Revelation 3:20)

We should have a genuine change of heart (take The Good Test) and want God more than anything else.

Genuinely Sorry...

We must ask God to forgive us, for all the wrong we've done in our lives and we must be finished with sin. (This is repentance)

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy". (Proverbs 28:13)

Asking Jesus into our lives...

We ask Jesus to come into our lives, through prayer. The prayer must come from our heart, what we say doesn't matter too much, what's important - is that we are sincere.

Lord Jesus

I am very sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to think about any specific sins and ask God to forgive you for them).

Please forgive me. I now turn from everything which I know is wrong.

Thank you for dying for me on the cross, taking my punishment, so that I could be set free from Gods wrath.

Thank you for your offer of forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I would like to acceptyour offer andgift.

Please come into my life Jesus, and be with me forever, Amen.

Afterwards

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God has adopted you and is now your Father. You are now free to develop your relationship with Him.

You should join a suitable church (not any old church, try a few to see if God is in there, try a Baptist or Vineyard. Look for a church full of youth, teenagers and young adults). Read the bible every day and do what it says andtalk with Jesusevery day. (The more you talk with Him, the more you'll see Him answering your prayers and the more you read, the greater your knowledge of God will be)

Christianity is about a TWO way Relationship with God

Alpha Course
Alpha Courses are for people who would like to know more about the Christian way of life. The course gives people the opportunity to talk with a pastor and ask questions. The pastor is there to answer questions truthfully and honestly and not to try and convert or pressure anyone. The courses usually run over 12 weeks with one 2-3 hour session per week (depending on how many questions you've got!). The course is likely be held in a relaxed/informal atmosphere such as in a local bar or the pastors home etc. Christianity is all about truth, if there was anything false in it - then I would stay clear, but if it's true - then it's got to be worth investigating - right?