It seems that the name ‘Christian’ is perhaps one of the most misused terms in our age. It is commonly used to describe people who display any sort of religious loyalty, whether in action or simply in word, to Jesus Christ. There are ‘liberal Christians’ and ‘conservative Christians’. The whole myriad which makes up modern day denominationalism wrongfully wears this precious name intended for those who truly are the servants of Christ. There are ‘once-a-year Christians’, ‘Sunday Christians’, and those who have a daily concern for the service of God. Let us consider what God’s word says about how to become a Christian.

Many who wear the name Christian do so without having done what the Lord has commanded us to do. Rather, they have accepted some denominational doctrine and base their claim of being a child of God upon their adherence to that. No doctrine of man will cause us to be found pleasing before God, but instead, will render our worship vain (Matthew 15:1-9). Thus, what would God have us do to be saved?

HEAR
There is a segment of the religious population who believe that one can be saved without having heard the gospel message. These strongly affirm that there are Christians in areas ‘where the word has not been heard’, believing that the Spirit of God will regenerate such people apart from the word. If such is the case, then one might question what the purpose of preaching the gospel to the lost is, since the Lord, according to these folks, works to save man without the use of the word.

Notice the words of the apostle Paul, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tiding of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:14-17)

Both the apostle Paul and the prophet Isaiah affirmed the necessity of the word being preached. “...How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” One must first hear the word of God.

BELIEVE
Universally, people understand the need for faith. The Hebrew writer penned, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). The Lord said, “...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

How is this faith developed? Some declare it to be a gift of God, supposedly implanted in us apart from anything we do. But we’ve already seen the source of faith. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Through the hearing of the gospel message, we will develop faith in God, leading toward salvation.

REPENT
Not only must one believe the message of the gospel concerning the Christ, but there is need for repentance. In Act 17:30-31, we read, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” If we are to be a child of God, it is necessary that we repent of our transgressions which separated us from the Lord.

In Acts 2, Peter was asked by the Pentecost crowd, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (v 37). The very first word in Peter’s response? “Repent...” (v 38). Jesus identifies our choices in this regard as “...repent...” or “...perish...” (Luke 13:3, 5)

CONFESS
By the word confess here, we do not mean the confession of sins, thought that is certainly necessary. The confession of sins is part and parcel with repentance. Here however, we refer to the confession of Jesus as the Christ, the son of God. In Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (v 13). Various responses came. Then, He turned to the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (v 15). Notice the words of Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v 16). Of these words, Jesus declared, “...on this rock I will build My church...” (v 18). The confession of Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the Son of God, is the foundation upon which the church is built.

Recall the Ethiopian eunuch who was taught by Philip along a desert road? Philip spoke the word of the Lord to him, and coming upon water, the man asked, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 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.’ (Acts 8:36-37) And with that, the chariot was stopped and the two went down into the water.

BE BAPTIZED
Notice, in Acts 8:35, Philip “...preached Jesus to him.” One cannot preach Jesus without mentioning baptism. Why? It’s not that important, is it? Many are unaware of the importance of baptism, and unfortunately will pay for their ignorance with their souls. The Bible clearly teaches that a penitent believer must be baptized to have his sins forgiven. Until a person is baptized for the remission of sins, regardless of how much faith he has, regardless of how good a life he lives, he stands outside the body of Christ – he IS NOT a Christian.

In Acts 2:38, Peter did not only command repentance. He said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” In Mark 16:16, Jesus clearly taught, “...He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Certainly, the unbeliever stands condemned, but likewise, the unbaptized are outside the number of the saved. One must BOTH believe and be baptized. (see also 1 Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:3-4).

Are you REALLY a Christian? Have you done what the Lord has commanded in His word to be His? Those who have not heard the word of God, believed Jesus to be the Christ, repented of their past sins, confessed Jesus as the Son of God, and been baptized for the remission of sins ARE NOT Christian. Can we help you become a child of God today?

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Who carried Jesus’ cross, Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32) or Jesus (John 19:17,18)?