First Steps

One must become a Christian, before one can become a Disciple of Jesus Christ. In this section, let us examine what the Bible says concerning:

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A. How to become a Christian

  1. How they did it in the beginning church in response to Christ’s command.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Vs.16    "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned   (NKJV)

Notice: That the Gospel is preached - people believe - then they are baptized

The Word Believe in this case means more than “consider as true” but also to have faith in - to entrust ones spiritual well-being to Christ.

Example of Philip

Acts 8:5-6 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Vs.12   But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:35-37   Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

From the example of Philip we can see several things.

1. He preached Jesus - (the Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ)

Romans 10:14-15   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?
15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

2. They heard

Romans 10:17   So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

People preach in far away places so that people can hear the Gospel and have faith in Jesus Christ ( entrust ones salvation to Jesus Christ and the work of his cross and not self effort.)

3. They believed

Romans 10:8-10   But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Notice: the Eunuch confessed out loud to Philip

Acts 8:36-37   And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Question: Can a baby believe with all it’s heart and confess with it’s mouth?

4. Then they were baptized

Acts 8:38   And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Peters example:

Please read Acts 2:1-41

Vs.14-36   Peter preaches to the crowd about Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Pierced to the heart - their conscience   The Holy Spirit convicted them

Peter’s Answer

Acts 2:38, 41   Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Vs. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

They repented of their sin of rejecting Christ - (they turned from)

  * Repentance in this case was a sorrow for their sin, that led to repentance

They received his word ( the Gospel ) - (they turned to Christ)

Then they were baptized.

The book of Acts is a record of the work of the Holy Spirit through the early church. God has not changed His way of Salvation, man has. Their are many churches that still preach the Gospel; and baptize those that believe.

What is the Gospel Message? (The Basics)

1. Mankind is a sinner and cannot save himself, he is out of fellowship with God his
    creator and is destined to Hell.
2. God has provided a way for mankind to be saved, and to come into fellowship with
    Him.
3. This way: is only though His only Beggoton Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Man must hear the Gospel, believe and make a personal choice to repent and turn to
    Jesus Christ and accept Jesus, as their Savior.

  * Just look around, read your paper, watch the news, be honest with yourself.

Romans 3:10, 23 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Vs.23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

For the A-B-C Salvation Plan see Home Page

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