Being a Christian is something distinctive. It is a new way of life, a new manner of life, lived by the standards set forth in God’s word, with new values and attitudes. Pleasing God is a Christian’s daily want, longing and desire. A Christian is marked by characteristics and morals that set him apart from the world. The question is still before us, “Who is a Christian?” The Bible, God’s word, holds the answer to this important question.
First, I want to say that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one. There are those who teach and believe that there are Christians in all churches, “The simple believes every word” (Proverbs 14:15); “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). There are those who teach and believe that there are Christians in all churches; not so, not according to the scripture.
If we can determine from the word of God what maketh one a Christian, then we can know who is a Christian. Friends, let the word of God define for us who is and who is not a Christian. I know that there are those that can tell you some strange things about how they became a Christian, but let the word of God define for us who is a Christian. The word "Christian" in our society is used so loosely today. Friends, in reality, many who claim to be a Christian do not understand, realize or grasp what the Bible teaches on this subject. Friends, I tell you right now, only obedience to the word of God will make one a Christian period! One MUST be willing to accept the word of God if he or she is to become a Christian. And, we MUST be willing to obey those commands, if we are to become a child of God (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 6:15-18; Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Remember, let the word of God define for us who is a Christian. The first step in becoming a Christian is that one must first HEAR the word of God; friends, not just any words, but the words of the Lord (2 John 9-11). “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). This is the first step in becoming a Christian. One must first hear what thus saith the Lord. “And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).
In becoming a Christian, the second step is faith, one must believe all things which he/she has heard. “And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing (unto him); for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and (that) he is a rewarder of them that seek after him” (Hebrews 11:6). “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). One cannot please God without faith! “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am (he), ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Notice another passage; “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12). If you believe in Christ you have the right or power to become a child of God. You are not a child of God by faith alone; you have the right to become one. Believing is important in becoming a Christian.
The most difficult part in becoming a Christian, the third step, is repentance. It involves turning away from all past sins. One must be willing to change his/her way of living to become a Christian. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3). “Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent” (Acts 17:30). One must change from his/her sinful ways and from his/her evil deeds and do that which is right, if he/she is to make heaven their home. From the scripture we can see that repentance is a must.
The fourth step in becoming a Christian is that one must confess Christ as the Son of God. Jesus said, “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). “(And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God)” (Acts 8:37). The eunuch was not ashamed to confess Christ. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). We must confess Him Lord and Savior. If we do not confess Him now as the Son of God, someday we will (Philippians 2:10-11).
The last requirement before one can consider himself a Christian is that one must be baptized, immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Peter said, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20-21). The scriptures clearly teach that one is saved after baptism and not before (Mark 16:15-16). “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away they sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Baptism is a must; it is necessary in becoming a Christian. To become a Christian one must be born again (John 3:5).
Friends, there are those who teach and believe that baptism is unimportant, one can be saved without baptism, but that is not according to the scripture. Let me ask you some questions:
1. Are we saved by God’s grace? Yes,
(Ephesians 2:5). Where is this grace found? In Christ
(2 Timothy 2:1; 1 Corinthians 1:4).
2. Where are all spiritual blessings found? In Christ
(Ephesians 1:3).
3. Where is the love of God found? In Christ
(Romans 8:39).
4. Where is salvation found? In Christ (Acts 4:12;
2 Timothy 2:10).
5. Where is eternal life found? In Christ (Romans
6:23).
6. NOW HOW DOES ONE GET INTO CHRIST? When one is baptized
into Christ, he has put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Only the obedience to the word of God will make one a Christians, by hearing, believing, repentance, confession and baptism is one made a Christian. The word of God will turn out nothing but Christians, nothing less and nothing more, just Christians. Who is a Christian? Those who have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (Romans 6:17). The next question is, “Are you a Christian?”