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How Does One Become a “Christian”?

When “almost persuaded” becomes “completely persuaded”

From Expository Files 16.12

By Jon W. Quinn

This is a basic article on a basic topic. It may be that almost all who will read this article already know these things. However, it is good to review them from time to time since we are constantly associated with people who are unfamiliar with what the word of God says about  how to become a Christian. We need to be prepared to communicate these things to others in a convincing and appropriate way.

But you may also find some things herein that you have not considered before; perhaps in the way a passage is related to the topic. And if you are not a Christian, please consider these things carefully.

The Question

In A.D. 59, the apostle Paul, a prisoner of the Roman government, was given an opportunity to speak in his own defense before the Roman procurator Porcius Festus, the Jewish king Herod Agrippa II, and Agrippa’s sister Bernice (Acts 24:27-26:32).

Following Paul’s speech, Agrippa replied, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:24-19). The New Testament manuscripts use the word “Christian” three times: here in Acts 26:28 and also in Acts 11:26 and 1 Peter 4:16. In each case, it is obvious that the word is used with reference to a follower of Jesus Christ.  In this study, we are asking the question: how does one become a Christian? If Agrippa had been completely persuaded to become a Christian, if he had said what he should have said that day, “Paul, you have convinced me. You have persuaded me to become a Christian.” – what would Paul have instructed him to do to become one?

An Answer

The most often-heard answer to this or similar questions is that one simply needs to open his heart and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  The New Testament certainly does speak of “receiving” Jesus Christ. We are told “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” (Colossians 2:6).  But how is this done? Are any specific actions to “receive Christ” required other than the mere mental act of believing in Jesus Christ?

This question is important because Jesus Himself said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew  7:21). What is entailed in this “Do the will of My Father who is in Heaven”? Certainly “receiving Christ” would entail doing as He said to do.

The New Testament often speaks of concepts such as ”obedience to (or of) the faith”  – (Romans. 1:5; 16:26). It speaks of “obeying the truth” (Romans 2:8; 1 Peter 1:22) and “obeying the gospel”  (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8) and “obeying the doctrine” (Romans 6:17). It would seem that any answer to our question “How does one become a Christian?” which avoids this part of the answer is inadequate.

Synonyms

There are many different ways to say a thing, and this includes different ways of expressing the idea of “becoming a Christian.” For example, I would be saying essentially the same thing if I talked about how one becomes “a disciple of the Lord.” In fact, the Bible says that the word “Christian”  was used simply to denote people who were “disciples” of Jesus (recall Acts 11:26).

We could express the same thing by talking about obeying the gospel. When one is taught the gospel, believes it, and is baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, he becomes a disciple. That is how the Jesus told His apostles that disciples are made-”go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18-20).

This is also how it is said in the Scriptures that one “calls on the name of the Lord.” Jesus had said it is not a matter of just saying “Lord, Lord!” He had said it entailed “doing the will of My Father who is in heaven.”   One ‘calls upon the name of the Lord”  by His seeking, trusting obedience to the gospel of grace. (Acts 2:21; 37-38; 22:16).

Christian, Disciple, Saved

Since these terms are applied to the same people in the Scripture, we can know that you become a Christian the same way you become a disciple. You become a disciple the same way you become a saved individual. You become saved the same way you become a Christian. That simplifies things a lot, doesn’t it?

God has placed certain conditions on receiving the forgiveness of sins. The Scriptures say, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,”  (Hebrews 5:8-9). We see the condition stated in this verse. Jesus saves those who obey Him!

Our God, by His grace and because of His love for us,  has done all that was necessary for Him to do to make the forgiveness of sins possible.  We must accept the terms of God’s pardon in order to receive from His hand the benefits available in Christ.  We must respond to His grace by faith.

This does not mean that we earn or deserve salvation by accepting the conditions of forgiveness.  It merely means we put our faith in His grace as we ”call on the name of the Lord.” Forgiveness is indeed a gift of grace, but it is a conditional gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8).

New Testament Examples of People Becoming Christians

Keeping in mind that becoming a Christian and becoming a disciple and becoming a saved individual are synonymous concepts all referring to becoming the same thing, how did people become Christians in the New Testament? In fact, God’s Book gives us many examples of people doing that very thing.

• Those in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost – (Acts 2:1-47; note especially 36-47).
• The Samaritans – (Acts 8:12).
• The Ethiopian treasurer – (Acts 8:36-39).
• Saul of Tarsus – (Acts 22:1-16).
• Cornelius and his household – (Acts 10:47,48).
• Lydia and her household – (Acts 16:14,15).
• The Philippian jailer and his household – (Acts 16:32,33).
• Crispus and his household – (Acts 18:7,8).

Conclusion 

What causes a person to want to become a Christian? The word of God will do that for a person who will accept it (Romans 1:16; 10:17).  When one hears the word and believes it, he then is in a position to become a child of God, a Christian –  As it was, Agrippa was “almost” persuaded to become a Christian – but it would have been far better for him to have been completely persuaded, and that goes for you and me and everyone we know.

Worry – Finding That Eight Percent!

From Expository Files 16.10

By Warren E. Berkley

One of the books I read a few summers ago was THE NOTICER by Andy Andrews. Partly fictional, it is one of those fun, heart-warming books to be enjoyed as a diversion from the more technical in-depth reading that is essential.

The main character of the book, Jones, discusses the futility of worry, suggesting some interesting percentages that may not be scientific, but should provoke some thought.

• 40% of the things we worry about will never occur.

• 30% of the time, we worry about things that have already happened.

• 12% of our worry is about needless imaginings about our health.

• 10% would be petty-little-nothing worries about what people think.

• 8%, “legitimate concerns.”

The legitimate concerns, according to the Jones character, “are things that can actually be dealt with.” Then he said, “Most people spend so much time fearing things that are never going to happen or can’t be controlled that they have no energy to deal with the few things they can actually handle.”

If this analysis is true or nearly true, in either case there is help. The more you bring your mind into subjection to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), the greater your sincerity in prayer (Jas. 1:5; 5:16), and the stronger your determination to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18), the closer you will be to finding that 8% of things you can do something about.

Berk’s Comment: This was written several years ago. I just found it. It is not intended as any sort of commentary on any social or political issue. It illustrates how passionate the world can be, about almost everything but what matters. This is from PreachingToday.com, written by Brian Lowery.

The Inconvenient Truth of Sin

Every Sunday, the ducks in a certain town waddle out of their houses down Main Street to their church. They waddle into the sanctuary and squat in their proper pews. The duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the duck minister comes forward and opens the duck Bible. He reads to them: “Ducks!God has given you wings! With wings you can fly! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fences can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings, and you can fly like birds!” All the ducks shout, “Amen!” And then they all waddle home.

—Tony Campolo, Let Me Tell You a Story (Word, 2000)

From the book, CHRISTIANITY IN TWELVE WORDS

Trust

Josh Kirby

I distinctly remember the disaster of my first “trust fall.” I was seven years old. Two neighborhood boys, one and two years older than me respectively, told me how the game was supposed to work. “You stand on this chair and we’ll stand behind you. Close your eyes, cross your arms, and fall back when we count to three. We’ll catch you. You are supposed to trust us.” Though I didn’t share my friends’ confidence in their ability to catch, I didn’t want to insult them or, more pressing in the moment, I knew I couldn’t voice my fear and risk becoming known as the neighborhood wimp. So I got on the chair, crossed my arms, and waited for “three.” “One,” my friends counted together. “I can do this,” I thought. “Two.” “I think I can do this.” “Three!” “I can’t do this,” I thought and didn’t move. After a moment’s pause, “Three!” my friends repeated. Against my better judgment I swallowed my fear and fell back. The next thing I knew the three of us had collapsed in a pile of flailing limbs, screams, and groans. Once we had nursed our injuries, I asked what happened. “We tried to catch you!” they insisted, though clearly my friends didn’t understand the importance of their role in this game. A game supposedly designed to build trust only created suspicion and injury among three young boys. It took a great deal of convincing for me to agree to participate in their next “game” and only with much reservation.

Trust. It is difficult to engender, to assure, to…trust. Trust can be intentionally betrayed, unintentionally compromised, and permanently lost. Unfortunately most breaches of trust are more serious than a failed childhood game. Infidelity in marriage, gossip by a confidant, theft by a financial administrator, improper child or geriatric care, failures by political or spiritual leaders, failures by institutions, or any number of disappointments can result in a hesitation to trust anyone or anything. “What,” our cynical culture might ask, “if anything, can be trusted?”

Christianity provides an answer to this question by explaining the object of a Christian’s trust is reliable and competent, superior to other objects of trust, and that the decision to trust is not foolhardy, but full of eternal potential. Understanding the biblical concept of trust logically begins with considering the object of trust.

The God In Whom We Trust

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” (Psalm 31:14, ESV)

The psalmist wrote these from a desperate perspective, reflected throughout the psalm. He was distressed. He felt trapped, forgotten, and abandoned. He was afflicted by enemies, who were plotting to kill him, and had become a reproach to his neighbors. From this perspective he reflected upon God and decided to place his trust in him. Why? To this point in his life he found God to be good and faithful and anticipated the same. This psalm serves as a model for biblical faith which is a decision to trust in the character and promises of God despite the circumstances. Continue reading “Trust” →

Teach & Urge

Warren E. Berkley

 “Teach and urge these things” is one of those key statements, well identifying the work of the gospel preacher. Not only must he deliver the right instruction (from God), he is to urge, challenge, implore his listeners to respond as directed by God.

The person who teaches “a different doctrine” is “puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” This isn’t about the sincere, growing learner who is humble and willing to stand corrected. This is the deliberate, conceited mindset of the false teacher who suffers from an “unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,” etc. The godly person who seeks to avoid these negatives will simply teach and urge only what God has revealed. The kind of false teacher Paul describes here has in view, the carnal motive: godliness as a means of gain. Sincere devotion to truth is the path away from this wickedness.

Speaking of gain – Paul wants Timothy to know that “there is great gain in godliness, with contentment.” If you are looking for real, lasting gain – it is found with God, not money or false teaching.

The godly person – the person who lives toward God – enjoys the highest and purest gain a human being can have. There is no money that is any better. There is no celebrity status that tops this. There just isn’t anything better, higher or purer than being godly, and being content with that way of life!!

Verse 7 says “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” You leave with exactly what you had when you came! When you were born, you had nothing; not even pockets! When you leave, your body may be well dressed – but even if there is something in the pockets – you won’t be able to do anything with it. (See also Job 1:21; Eccl. 5:14,15).

“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” It isn’t wrong to have more than food and clothing, but what you have is not what makes you godly and content. Those with the minimum necessities can enjoy the contentment of godliness.

The spiritual killer is: “..the love of money…”  Paul does not say, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY – and once you have more than that – you are spiritually dead. Paul doesn’t say – ONCE YOU HAVE MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE, at that point – you  are guilty. There is nothing like that here.

The spiritual killer here is desire and love for money. The point is not that money, in and of itself, causes you to wander away from the faith. The verse doesn’t read that way. It is the desire and love for money; that’s the problem identified.

Three phrases make this clear:  “those who desire to be rich…” and  “the love of money” and  “through this craving.” So – it is conceivable and more than hypothetical, people who live in relative economic poverty – can be guilty of this craving, this love and this desire – that ruins their relationship with God.

~

From Hendriksen & Kistemaker

Sin never walks alone. The desire to become rich causes the man who, in today’s terminology, is “an incarnation of fat dividends” to fall into numerous cravings. One kind of craving easily leads to another. The person who craves riches generally also yearns for honor, popularity, power, ease, the satisfaction of the desires of the flesh, etc. All spring from the same root, selfishness, which, being the worst possible method of really satisfying the “self,” is both senseless and hurtful (cf. Matt. 20:26–28; see N.T.C. on John 12:25, 26).

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 4: Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles. New Testament Commentary (199–200). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Walk in Him

Colossians  2:6,7

This seemingly neutral word, “therefore,” can become an important key to good Bible reading and study. I heard someone once say, “when you see the word ‘therefore’ in the Bible, stop and observe what it is there for!” That’s more than just a play on words.

The term is a connection word, connecting what it introduces with previous context. A series of arguments or affirmations are made – then a conclusion is stated.

In this case, Paul has stated [in verses 1-5 of this chapter: (1) Christians need to encourage one another, (2) be knit together in love, (3) seek the full assurance of knowledge, (4) recognize that in Christ there is the fullness of wisdom and knowledge, (5) do not be deluded with plausible arguments, and (6) maintain the firmness of your faith.

So, what does this mean in personal, practical terms? THEREFORE – just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK IN HIM.

The Bible here speaks of receiving Christ Jesus the Lord. It is appropriate for us today to speak of receiving Christ Jesus the Lord. In fact, we should be inclined to teach people from the Bible, to do what the Bible says that constitutes receiving Christ Jesus the Lord. It should never become just a phrase we use that has no specific definition. It means exactly what the Bible says it means.

The book of Acts enlightens us. When a sinner understands his/her guilt (Example: Acts 2:23), believes in Christ (Acts 2:36, 8:37), repent and submits to baptism (Acts 2:38), that person has received Jesus Christ the Lord – not just to be forgiven and taken out of sin to God; but to live with Him as the Lord of daily life.

Receiving Jesus Christ as Lord means – you leave sin and start obeying Him. Then – Walk in Him. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Read again what Paul wrote in the first five verses of the chapter. If those things are true, those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord should get up every day and walk in Him.

This walk – this way of thinking and living – will bring divine strength into your life. You will discover – as you walk in Him – that you are “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thankgiving.”

[ Podcasts based on the Gospel of John ongoing ]

Or Here

This week I’ve added two audio podcasts to my series on John. You can find them at either of these two places: http://lhmcallen.org/gospel_of_john or https://wberkley.podbean.com/

Lies & Extermination

Andy Andrews is a favorite author of mine, first getting my attention with The Noticer. Andrews was raised in Dothan, Alabama, has done some motivational speaking and comedy, but in my judgment he is one of the great writers of our time. He is concise, practical and always takes his readers to statements of value for life. He certainly has an entertaining, engaging style. But his high mark is the practical value that is so clear, chapter after chapter.

He has a book called, How Do You Kill 11 Million People? It is, of course, not a training manual for mass murder. It is a historical account of some of the subtle but wicked aggressive tactics of the Nazi regime from 1933 through 1945, to deceive people into thinking they were being cared for. In fact, they were being systematically sequestered for extermination. This book is all about how easy it is to lie, but beyond that, how quickly people are deceived. He takes this to a profound point: How do truth and lies in the past affect our destiny as a nation? You can get the Kindle version here, at this link.

Overcoming Apathy Every Day

Warren E. Berkley

Apathy is something that has ill effects in every area of human enterprise. In matters of politics and government we hear the expression “voter apathy.” In the retail industry and in all areas of business and manufacturing, one problem is people who are employed to do a certain job but they simply don’t care about excellence, competence or customer service.

The word “apathy” is interesting. It is from the Greek apatheia, which means without feeling. In English we have the word pathos which means strong passion and emotion. The prefix “a” means without, so again, apathy means without feeling; no passion, no emotion. One common expression that captures this is, WHO CARES? Apathy toward God is exemplified by the Laodiceans who were “neither cold nor hot,” (Revelation 3:14–16).

Before we can defeat apathy we need to understand the nature of it. When I preach about this I tell about the basis, the fuel, the behavior, the attitude and the language of apathy. Unbelief is the basis of apathy; ingratitude is the fuel of apathy; inaction is the behavior of apathy; indifference is the attitude of apathy and silence is the language of apathy.

Once defined and identified, our next work is to defeat it and to re-defeat apathy every day. How can we overcome apathy every day? I have three answers: Faith, Love and Hope (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Colossians 1:3–5).

This is the way to overcome apathy on a daily basis; through faith, love and hope! If I open my heart to the Word of God so that saving faith is produced within me—faith in God, in Christ, in the Word—and if that faith is sufficient to move me, cause me to act, to walk in the light of God’s word; to obey and please Him, that faith rules over apathy. (See 1 John 5:4, 5; Hebrews 11:6).

And as that faith works within me one product is love; genuine affection for God, a passionate love for Christ; a deep affection and devotion to the truth. That love drives apathy away. (See 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:38–40) Apathy has no ground to grow out of in a heart occupied with this love. “… you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:38–40; see also 1 Corinthians 13).

With that faith and love an associated quality is HOPE; assurance that God is faithful; that every promise will be kept; that at the end of this life we will not be left in a grave but raised to glory. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20, 21; see also 1 Corinthians 15).

If we do not open up our Bibles and seek the development of faith, love and hope—there isn’t any doubt, apathy will kill us! It will slowly kill us individually, collectively and will do lasting damage in our marriages and families. If apathy is allowed to do its daily damage, it will be a slow extinction that will deliver us to spiritual death. What we have learned is this: When there is faith, love and hope working in us—apathy has no basis; apathy suffers from a lack of fuel; action takes the place of laziness; indifference is conquered by zeal and silence cannot prevail.

Berkley, W. E. (1999). Overcoming Apathy Every Day. In B. Lewis (Ed.), Christianity Magazine: December, 1999, Volume 16, Number 12 (B. Lewis, Ed.) (16). Jacksonville, FL: Christianity Magazine.

Spending Time

Doing What?

Warren E. Berkley

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time,” (Col. 4:5).

Do you spend any time seriously working to improve your attitude? First, it is essential to use the Word of God to examine your mental condition and attitude (Psa. 139:23,24). Are you impatient toward people? Do you hold grudges? Do you carry angry thoughts in your heart day after day (in violation of Eph. 4:26,27)? Once the Word of God convicts you of any sin of attitude, you have the responsibility to act on that conviction. How much time do you spend thinking, praying and consciously working on having a better attitude? It is a full-time job.

Do you spend any time visiting people? Jesus gave a sobering scene of the final judgment in Matthew 25. One good trait commended in that passage is, visiting disciples in need. One cause of judgment against the wicked is, “you did not visit Me” (Matt. 25:43). One of the steps Moses took toward his usefulness as a servant of God was, “it came into his heart to visit his brethren,” (Acts 7:23). In our modern fast-paced time, we easily neglect this simple duty. Or, we assume somebody else will do it (like “the preacher”). How much time do you spend visiting people and providing for their greatest needs?

Do you spend any time listening to people? One of the most important assets you have to give to others is, listening. Listening is not just being silent while someone talks. Good listening requires paying attention, being receptive, understanding and responsive. We can learn things about people, putting us in a better position to serve them and teach them. And, we can learn things we need to know about ourselves (see Prov. 19:20).

Do you spend any time reading the Bible? We certainly know, it is a great privilege to have the Word of God in written form in our language. The Scriptures are not held by a privileged class. You can own your own copy. But ownership or physical possession of the book doesn’t change your life. You’ll have to take the time to read it, study it, contemplate it, then apply it. Do you do that?

What are we doing with our time?

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