How Does One Become a “Christian?”

When “almost persuaded” becomes “completely persuaded”

From Expository Files Archives, Dec. 2009

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.

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

The Local Church ~ Dead or Alive

Warren E. Berkley

While the New Testament says that a local church can die (Rev. 3:1), we should not be rash in expressing that judgment. First, we do not enjoy the insight and authority of the One who gave the verdict against Sardis. Further, there are some things easy to overlook in our haste.

1. Before you get too far into evaluating a group, be certain you evaluate yourself (Matt. 7:1-6). The Lord hasn’t called us to walk into churches and pronounce them dead. He has called us to evaluate ourselves by the highest standard, be patient, avoid grumbling and pitch in and help. Judgment from a distance and without self-examination is often flawed.
2. Most of the spiritual life of a local church will not be visible when the church is assembled. There are members helping needy members privately; preachers and elders encouraging and studying with members and other events private in nature (Matt. 6:1-18). There are members living righteously against the struggles of life, praying, talking to people about the Lord and raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Much of this may not be announced, publicized or obvious between 9:30 and noon Sunday morning.
3. Scriptural leadership is critical to the life of a local church. But there are cases where some resist good oversight. An entire congregation and/or the elders should not be adversely judged by the misconduct of some.
4. The consistent preaching and teaching of the Word of God is essential. If the Word is being presented (even if not in a style or venue you prefer), you should be capable of taking the Word and the lessons from it out of the building and into your life.
5. The care of the members for each other is a sign of life. This care must run far deeper and practical than just the shaking of hands and the smiling of faces. Your judgment about the “emotional tenor” of the group is personal, preferential and subjective. Quick criticism based on “what I want” can express more about me than the group.
6. The life of a local church must never be dismissed based on money, numbers or building. While it is true that faithful members will give to best of their ability, seek to convert people and make the best provision they can for assembling, these three things are not the primary signs of spiritual life. {Many churches pass the test of money, numbers and physical building – but fail to meet the test of submission to Christ.}
7. The key to the life of any local church is, honoring Christ. Poor people and old people can honor Christ can’t they? They may not seem to be lively to the eyes of some. God knows.

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Listening & Responding

I’ve said many times: No relationship can survive in the absence of good communication.

Start with your relationship with God. It is essential to listen to Him, and then respond to Him. If you neglect either, the relationship suffers and could end.

In your relationship with your spouse, listening and responding is the groundwork of a thriving marriage. The same is true of your relationship with children, neighbors, co-workers and strangers you meet. Good listening and responding is the substance of relationships.

Here’s a problem we have about all this: We want to talk more than listen. When we think of communication, we think of expressing ourselves; we want to talk more than we want to listen. Disciples of Christ must apply the discipline of the Word of God to change that, to learn to listen. First, listen to God. By listening to Him, we are able to develop ourselves into good listeners and then good responders.

Or as James said, “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,” (Jas. 1:19). – WEB

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Rust As A Witness

(Jas. 5:1-6)

Warren E. Berkley

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. (James 5:1-6)

There is a common mistake we may be tempted to make about this passage and others like it.  I want to address that right up front; we don’t want to get started in this passage with a distorted presumption.

To read this passage, and without much thought or study, conclude that James takes a dim view of wealth or that James has some axe to grind against rich people is not correct. Therefore, that idea is not the right starting place for a good study of this.

People may think: Now James said something about rich folks back in chapter one. He said something else about the rich in chapter two. Now here again –  James must take a dim view of rich people.

Well, that’s not it at all! Let’s Review:

• In James 1 – his point was, the rich who depend upon their riches will be humiliated.
• In James 2 – nothing critical of the rich; NO, James is critical of brethren who show preference to the rich, and shun the poor.

So let’s not jump to an unjustified conclusion about James and the rich. He is not upholding poverty over riches; he is not sounding an alarm about all people who have more than we have. There is no encouragement here to justify any prejudice people might have against those who have more than they have. But, there is something James is against and that God is against, and that we need to know about.

It Is This: Oppressing People, In Order To Be Rich! Continue reading “Rust as a witness, Jas. 5:1-16” →

Proximity, No Short-Cut

Warren E. Berkley

The case of Judas and Peter (see Matthew 26 & 27) establish something worthy of our thought. Proximity (or association) is not a short-cut to individual righteousness. Both Judas and Peter walked and talked with Jesus in person. Physically, they were near him. They heard Him speak, watched Him live and respond to events and people. Yet that proximity did not keep them from wrong choices. Proximity or association with good people is highly recommended, but should not be viewed as a short-cut to individual righteousness. Though you have good, pure companions – you must still learn what is right, make choices and shun evil. You must develop your own character.

People seem to have this idea: If I could just see Jesus in person and be with Him, I would be fine! Another level of the same kind of thinking is: If I could just get my kids involved with other young people who are good examples, everything would work out. Apparently, we just tend to think that proximity has greater power than it has.

Certainly it matters who you associate it with (see Psalms 1 and Proverbs 1). No doubt, there is a benefit in both learning and influence when we are close to good people. But ultimately, you must accept those influences, learn the lessons, make choices yourself and persevere in what is right! [Read Matt. 26:31-56 and note: “…the sheep of the flock will be scattered,” and “Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.”]

Get involved with good people. But don’t take that as a short-cut to personal righteousness. Doesn’t work that way.

The Danger Of

Institutionalized Compassion

-Warren E. Berkley

Compassion is the sympathetic awareness of the distress of others along with a desire to alleviate it and the corresponding behavior. The short definition is – you care and you respond with whatever legitimate help you are able to give. Compassion is not just a warm emotion, a popular plank in a political platform, the fervor of a cause or the “conscience” of an organization. It is care you have for your neighbor with all that care prompts. Biblical compassion never contradicts the truth and never causes or condones any wrong.

By “institutionalized” compassion I mean, the practice of setting up and maintaining organizations and institutions for the purpose of doing the work prompted by personal compassion. Individuals believe they must show compassion to the deserving needy, but for a variety of reasons, direct personal action is deemed inexpedient, so financial resources are pooled to set up and maintain an organization that does that work. Conscience is thereby soothed.

In favor of this, there is work that requires the oversight and effort of professionals and experts. For instance, I cannot fight cancer in the laboratory, but I can send a donation to the American Cancer Society. We have accepted the role of charitable organizations and we applaud the good outcome. Likewise, there are various functions of governments which require the agency of collective organizations: I cannot fight crime, extinguish fires or provide medical treatment for the poor. I can pay taxes so that government agencies can do that work. Private or public, in our society we have accepted the role of various agencies and institutions.

The problem with institutionalized compassion is, it may indirectly encourage personal apathy and negligence. If I do not carefully monitor my attitude, I can progressively become indifferent and irresponsible in my response to human need. I can develop the almost unconscious assumption that the whole of my duty toward my fellow man is fulfilled through the institutions that receive my donations and taxes.

I cannot recommend that we destroy all such organizations, or that we cease the support we give them (voluntarily or involuntarily in the case of taxes.) In many cases, these organizations do needed work that falls outside the realm of individual endeavor. But …

We must not perpetuate the habit of interpreting what the Bible says to individuals as an argument to build another institution or write another check. And when we read the instructions the apostles gave to local churches, individuals and families – we must observe those distinctions (1 Tim. 5:16). Most important, I must study and pray that I might grow in mercy and compassion toward others. “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy,” (Prov. 14:31). Let it be carefully noted, the person who honors God has mercy on the needy. I must personally take this to heart in my daily behavior, not just in my budget.

From The Expository Files Archives, by Jon W. Quinn

How To Study the Bible

The Bible is the most widely read book of human history. It is God’s word and it ought to be approached with deep respect. We are urged to handle it in a careful and diligent manner (2 Tim. 2:15). As we seek truth, we need to have the attitude that we are willing to apply it to our lives, thus making Bible study a meaningful, fulfilling, life changing event. To make Bible study what it ought to be, there are several good rules to follow:

1) Take a positive approach. Allow what is learned to change one’s life and attitude, setting aside our own opinions, prejudices and ideas in favor of what we read in God’s book (James 4:10).

2) Realize that there are no contradictions in the Bible. When people ask about Bible contradictions, I ask them to show me one. Usually they have no example, but if they do, upon examination there has always been a reasonable explanation to show it was really no contradiction at all. God’s word is true. (John 17:17).

3) Pray for understanding. Ask God for wisdom in applying the things learned in everyday life (James 1:5,6).

4) Be willing to accept and correct. Loving God means being willing to say “Yes” to His teaching (Jer. 10:23,24).

5) Consider the context. See who is speaking and who is being spoken to. Just because the Bible contains the command “Build an ark” does not mean you are the one to build it.

6) Consider all that the Bible says on a given subject. Don’t just pick and choose; get the complete picture.

7) Do not put vague passages first. Build your knowledge base on the easier understood passages first before proceeding to the more difficult.

We hope that you have found these suggestions helpful.

By Jon W. QuinnThe Front Page
From Expository Files 21.5; May 2014

http://www.bible.ca/ef/topical-how-to-study-the-bible.htm

The Evil Day

Warren E. Berkley

 “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” Eph. 6:13.

What does this mean, THE EVIL DAY? The apostle refers to “the evil day.” And our first reaction to this might be: EVERY DAY IS EVIL! There are temptations we face every single day. Life on earth is not easy, and we may often complain about the surrounding presence of evil.

But instead of just complaining and offering some quick comment about the evil and sin in the world, perhaps we should give some thought to Paul’s expression, “the evil day.”

I believe there are some days (or times) worse than others. There are times when the fight is more intense … times when we feel like we are overwhelmed … all sorts of things are hitting us at the same time…

• Financial pressures.
• Medical problems.
• Tension in your marriage.
• Difficulty with children or grandchildren.
• Struggles over some unresolved problem at work.
• Difficulties in the local church.
• Questions … Doubts … Irritations.

If you are having difficulty being a Christian and dealing with these matters or any kind of problem, Satan is aware of your circumstance and he wants to step in and take control. He seems to concentrate his malice on us when we are “down.” So, in addition to whatever we are struggling with, Satan is on the attack against us. That’s the evil day! And at such times we need extra-ordinary strength. The battle is intense, and we realize that a few memory verses will not get the job done. Temptation is severe and we feel overwhelmed with all that’s happening. Satan is amassing all his forces against us, sin threatens us and the world beckons us. This is the evil day. And Paul teaches us, there is only one way to handle it.

“Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”

A Good Old Man

(A Commentary on Holy Impatience)

Lk. 2:25-35

Warren E. Berkley

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:25-35

Confession: My kinship with old men is growing with each passing day. I have a different view of their value compared to several years ago. And I love to read in the Bible of old folks who were also good folks, like Simeon. Let’s become better acquainted with him.

He was not like other men his age. There is no evidence he was caught up in the religious empire built by the Pharisees, or that he was a zealot who sought the overthrow of Roman domination. He was a minority in his time.

He was “just and devout,” unlike many who were driven by earthly gain, personal ambition or some systematic religious creed. Just and devout men were rare in those days in Jerusalem, as evidenced by what the leaders did to Jesus.

Simeon was a man of holy impatience. He knew from the Scriptures that “the Consolation of Israel” would come and not a day passed without an awareness of that hope. Many did not read Scripture or read it through human filters. Simeon was in good contact with the promises. He knew there was a big picture and was waiting for Messiah to come.

He enjoyed a particular privilege, in that “the Holy Spirit” revealed to him “that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Not only was this old man of faith aware of God’s promises, he enjoyed a special, personal promise. It is not a stretch to visual this old man getting up each day, passing by the Pharisees in the gate, moving toward the temple to watch and wait.

The day came for Simeon. “…he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms…” Think about that moment. The old man waiting “impatiently,” and now holding in his arms the Child promised by God.

The old man praised God with these words: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Observe the eager sense of privilege that filled his heart and tongue: “You are letting Your servant . . . my eyes have seen.” Age and approaching death was not a thief. He believed the promises of God and now had the Consolation of Israel in his arms and in his view. He knew this was about salvation, not just for Israel but all people.

Then he spoke to Mary: “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.” This part of Simeon’s prophecy contained some unwelcomed news for Mary, that her Son would have a mixed reception, and be “spoken against.” This would be the reality of unbeliever’s rejecting Him. The rejection or acceptance of the Christ would “reveal the thoughts of many hearts.”

What does it mean for us today? Christians today are in this waiting mode and may feel this holy impatience. If you are waiting on God, it will always be worth the wait. Like Isaiah said to the descendants of Hezekiah and the other captives: “those who wait for the Lord will renew strength,” (Isa. 40:31). As you age and find your affinity for old folks increasing, but also suffering some of the impact of the second law of thermodynamics, take heart Christian! You can become stronger and stronger while you wait. Expectation of Christ’s return will not disappoint His faithful people. That holy impatience is a good sign!

Come Back Tomorrow?

(Prov. 3:27,28)

Warren E. Berkley

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you,” (Prov. 3:27,28, NKJ).

This is a call to generosity but it is written as a prohibition (“do not”). Here’s a little “secret” of good Bible study: When you read a prohibition, spend some of your study time focusing on the opposite. So when you read, “do not lie,” think of the value of honesty. When you come to “do not forget” God’s law (Prov. 3:1), consider how important it is to remember God’s law. Every prohibition has some positive opposite. The point of the prohibition is not only to keep us from sin, but to take us to that positive opposite.

In this case, “do not withhold good” is a call to generosity, sharing, benevolence. Whatever we have that is subject to wise sharing, we should be willing to give to those “to whom it is due.”

The hard part of this is figuring out “to whom it is due,” or (NIV), “those who deserve it.” To give profusely to undeserving recipients is obviously not wise. But it is often not clear or easy to make those calls. Seems that the line between deserving and undeserving is not always easy to discern. But I would say to us these things:

1. God doesn’t expect us to see everything He is able to see. God can look right through the externals to the internal motives, and God has in His perfect mind – Instant Background Checks on everybody. God knows that we have no such powers. So there is no expectation that we have perfect knowledge of every prospective recipient of our goodwill. We can only act on what we are able to know.
2. Never cancel a duty because it is qualified. Could be, we become so obsessed with the qualification (“those who deserve it”) we just cancel the duty, thinking the work is too imprecise or demanding. Generosity (as directed by God) involves the hard work of wisdom, discernment, good stewardship and prayer; that’s part of the sacrifice of giving. Good responses to God and people are never subject to human anger, whim, greed or emotion. It should not become such a burden (deciding who is worthy), that we just toss the whole duty aside.
3. Don’t let your experience with the undeserving lead you to deny the deserving. Most of us have heard people say something like, “I gave this guy some help, and he turned out to be a thief. So I just don’t help people anymore.” That’s reactionary, creates suffering for the deserving and puts you squarely against the will of God. Your experience should never be the basis of your generosity. The basis of all giving is, you are a recipient of God’s grace and responsible to obey Him.