How Does a Person Become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian is all about faith.......and for that matter being a Christian is all about faith.  Hebrews 11 says that "without faith it is impossible to please God..."  But there is much misunderstanding about faith and what that really means.  Jesus pointed out that even the devil believes, has faith...knows that Jesus is the Son of God.  But the Bible gives lots of teaching about the matter and what it really means to have faith in God, in Jesus, His Son.  We can't cover all aspects of this subject in this short treatise, but we can do a little examination.

We could cite many examples of people who went through the conversion process.  Let's look at the Ethiopian guy in Acts 8.  He was traveling back from worshipping as a good Jew in Jerusalem, sitting on his chariot and reading the book of Isaiah.  Philip, a preacher, comes to him at God's direction and teaches him about Jesus.  At this point we have a man who becomes a believer, realizes that Jesus is the Son of God.  "As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water.  Why shouldn't I be baptized?"  Philip baptized him and the man "went on his way rejoicing."  This whole matter of conversion was a simple process, but one that brought great joy to this man. 

In Acts 2 we see people who came to realize that they weren't Christians and needed to do something about it.  They asked Peter in Acts 2:37.  Peter's answer was "Repent and be baptized every one of you...."  This simple instruction shows what Bible people did when they believed and wanted to be followers. 

All through the Bible we see people in this same condition coming to Jesus.  And we should all make sure that we do the same, follow the same process: Believe in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, repent (change) of our past lives and commit to follow Him.  We should be willing to state our beliefs to others, that we believe that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, and we should be baptized. 

This is the Bible pattern, and it is a simple one.  But many people today bring in other ideas and water all of this down.  All we have to do is do what the Bible teaches; follow the many examples that we see in the New Testament. 

And of course, we have to live it, to live for Him.  But a great reward is waiting for us.  Let's be there!  Thanks for reading and have a great week!