How Do I Convert to Christianity? (How Do I Become a Christian?

PREFACE

HOW DO I CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY?

(How do I become a Christian?)

Acts 16:28 (NKJV) “But (Apostle) Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord

Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

"Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” - John Piper

A man in a Greek city of Philippi asked a remarkably similar question as our topic. He asked the question of Apostles Paul and Silas. That is when this man asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts Chapter 16, verse 30). We know at least three things about this man: 1. He was a jailer, 2. He was a pagan and 3. He was desperate. This man, we generally call The Philippian Jailer, was on the verge of suicide. Apostle Paul stopped him by simple offering that belief in Jesus Christ would save the man’s life. That fact that the man asks the question shows that he recognized his need of salvation. All of mankind is born with a basic need to find something that satisfies the longing in their heart. God put that eternal component in the DNA of all of us. This man, we affectionately call him the Philippian Jailer, saw only death for himself and his

family. He knew that he needed help. The fact that he asked the Apostles shows that he believed they had the answer. We must have an answer ready for those who seek Salvation, and that answer can only be found in Jesus Christ! The Philippian Jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Remember: Christianity was new to the Jailer and his country. The Apostles had only arrived a few days earlier. It is evident that Jailer hoped for something more than what his pagan religion offered.

Fortunately, the Apostles had the answer. The answer the Apostle gave was intended to free the man from his pagan religion and focus him on Jesus Christ,

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be

saved!” (Verse 31). The Scripture goes on to show how the man did believe and was converted. His conversion included his being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, the Jailer’s whole family also believed and were baptized in the water and in the Spirit. It is worthy of notice that the man’s conversion was based on faith (believing). He had to trust Jesus Christ and nothing else. The Jailer believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God (“Lord”) and the promised Messiah. As Messiah, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Scriptural prophecies of the “Christ” or “Anointed One”. The Jailer’s faith also included a belief that Jesus died for the sin of mankind and resurrected from the dead! We know this because this is the message that Apostles Paul and Silas were preaching and teaching (Romans 10:9-10, I Corinthians 15: 1-4). In this study we are talking about conversion. To “Convert” , is literally “to turn”. When we turn toward one thing, we by necessity turn away from something else. In this instance, when we turn to Jesus Christ, we turn away from our sins or sinful nature. The Bible calls the turning from sin “repentance” and the turning to Jesus, “faith”. Repentance and Faith complement each other. In Thessalonians 1:9, both repentance and faith are indicated. “You turned to God from idols.” A Christ follower (Christian), who has a genuine conversion to Christianity, will leave behind their former ways and leave behind anything pertaining to false religion. Those who convert to Christianity believe that Jesus Christ is God manifested (made clearly visible) in the flesh. They know that Jesus Christ died for their sins and resurrected from the dead.

And without controversy great is the [a]mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels,

Those who seek to convert agree that they are a sinner. Sinners need Salvation. The believer trusts (has faith) that only Jesus Christ can save them. When they turn from sin to Christ, God promises to save them from their sins and give them His Spirit. In other words, He agrees to come and live inside of them! This is how they become a new creature (or new creation). Christianity, in its true form, is not a religion. Christianity, according to the Bible, is a relationship where Jesus Christ becomes part of your life (the important part). Jesus Christ offers salvation to anyone who believes and trusts the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross. A person who converts to Christianity is receiving the gift that God offers and beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that results in the forgiveness of sins. This give the promise of eternity with Jesus Christ after natural death here on earth.

Encourage those who want to convert to Christianity to pray. Pray with them. Ask them if you can pray with them. If they answer, “Yes”, here is a simple prayer that you can offer to God. Encourage them to pray with you. Saying this prayer, or any other prayer, will not save you. It is only trusting in the Jesus Christ (to whom we pray) that can save you. This prayer is simply a way to express faith in Jesus Christ and thank Him for providing our salvation. “God, I know that I have sinned against You and deserve punishment. I am thankful that Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I am forgiven! I place my trust in you for salvation. Thank you for your wonderful grace and forgiveness- the give of eternal life – Jesus Christ! Amen!”

Once you have prayed this prayer you will need to be baptized in the water and

the Spirit (Acts 1:5). It is important that you help new converts to connect with other believers. Those who are Christ followers are a Community! There is strength in Community! One of the easy ways to help is to invite new converts (or bring them) to church, bible study, teaching or just listening to Christian music. Let other believers know that you are committed follower of Jesus Christ. Invite others to dinner, fellowship or just hand out with those who share your faith in Jesus Christ.

3 1 Timothy 3:16. New King James Version

CHAPTER ONE - LESSON ONE

1. What did the Apostles do after the Jailer decided not to commit suicide? (Page 4)

2. What does it mean to believe? (Page 4)

3. What does convert mean? (Page 4). 4. What is repentance? (Page 4) 5. What is faith? (Page 5)

6. What is Christianity in its true form? (Page 5) ____________________________________________________________

7. What is the one thing we can offer to those who wish to convert and become followers of Jesus Christ? (Page 5) ____________________________________________________________

8. Who is Jesus Christ? (Page 4)

9. What does praying accomplish? (Page 5)

10. Who has the power to save us? (Page 4)

11. APPICATION AND REFLECTION

WHAT MUST I DO TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE?

Now behold, on came to him and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thinks shall I do that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16).

"Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter." - Francis Chan

The goal of religion is to point adherents toward God. This study is of Christianity which finds its basis in the Bible. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. There are many good books, but Christians believe that the Bible is their textbook. From this book they derive everything that they believe. When we speak of Christianity, we are speaking of those truths that are in the Bible. Primary to this discussion is doctrine.

Doctrine is truth lifted from Scripture and dedicated to purpose.

Believe: means to have a firm faith. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Apostle Paul says believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead and then confess that Jesus is Lord. The mistake that people often make is not understanding that when they confess Jesus Christ as Lord, they relinquish their right to be their own boss.

Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is not a Biblically accurate. Verbally declaring that you have switched your allegiance to Jesus Christ is Biblical. The answer is not about just obedience; it is about submission! See: Matt 19:16-22 and

Luke 10:25-37

Jesus counsels the Rich Young Ruler Now behold, one came to him and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thinks shall I do that I may have eternal life? (Verse 16). So, He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the Commandments.”

What are the Commandments?

You shall not murder

Most Christians have been led to believe that Scripture forbids the taking of life; that is to kill. They have been told that Scripture forbids the taking of life under any circumstance, even in self-defense. If this were true, why would God tell the nation of Israel (in Ancient times), “Thou shalt not kill”, but also tell them to kill their enemies? This would seem to be a glaring contradiction. Unless, God never said, “Thou shalt not kill.” Even though Bible translations may use the word ‘kill’ in several places, is this what the Original Hebrew and Greek Texts say? Or do we have some translation errors? Let us investigate. In Exodus 20:13 we have the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill’. Look at the word ‘kill’. In the Hebrew, the word for kill is ‘Ratsach’, which means: Murder, i.e. - to Murder, a Murderer; to dash to pieces. Thus, Exodus 20:13 reads, “Thou shall not MURDER”. Next, look to Exodus 21:12, “He that smitten a man so that he did shall be surely

put to death.” Here, the Hebrew word translated ‘Smiteth’ is “Nakah”, which means: Murder, to slay or to slaughter. Exodus 21:12 actually reads, “He that smites a man so that he dies, shall surely be put to death.

You shall not commit adultery

Adultery is when a married person cheats on his or her spouse, or another person commits an infidelity with another married person.

You shall not steal

Many human laws have been made to try to protect personal possessions and property from those who would seek to take them for themselves. The intent of God’s Eighth Commandment goes deeper. Stealing can take many forms, including cheating someone or even delaying paying someone what you owe him or her: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. … You shall not cheat your neighbor nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.” (Leviticus 19:11-13).

God Gives us other Commands to Obey

You shall not bear false witness Honor your father and your mother You shall love your neighbor as yourself

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

“And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So, he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And He (Jesus) said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.,”

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man when down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. Now by chance certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came, and looked, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So, which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”4

50 days after the Passover, we find the followers of Jesus Christ at Jerusalem. This act of great faith performed by more than 120 persons is recorded in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

4 Luke 10:25

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PREFACE