How Does a Person Become a Christian?

 

God's Plan of Salvation

The Bible is very clear about what it takes to become a Christian. Unfortunately, many in the religious world teach something different. Some think they are saved solely by grace. Others believe they are saved at the point of faith. Some think God will save anyone who will breath a simple prayer, asking for forgiveness. While there are others who think everyone who is kind and helpful will be saved. The important thing is, "what does the Bible teach?"

We Must Hear The Word of God

Without first hearing the word of God (by studying the Bible) people would not know they were sinners and in the need of salvation. Paul said, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and that "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23). By the study of the Bible one learns what sin is and how each is guilty of it. One also learns that Jesus died as a sacrifice for the sins of all people.

We Must Believe The Things We Read

Just reading the Bible (hearing the word) doesn't save a person. We have to believe the things that we hear or there is no basis for one doing what is read. Paul said that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Jesus said in John 8:24, "...if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." However, just believing is not enough for in Matthew 7:21 Jesus taught that one must "do the will of the Father" if he is to enter heaven.

Sins Must Be Repented of

Isaiah said that it is sin that separates one from God (Isaiah 59:2). We must turn away from those sins, recognizing we have been wrong, with the intent of doing all that God desires - this is what the Bible calls repentance. God commands all men everywhere to come to repentance (Acts 17:30).

We Must Be Unashamed of What We Believe

Jesus said if we confess him before men he will confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32). Therefore, if I want the Lord to save me I must confess with my mouth my faith in Jesus as the son of God (Romans 10:9,10).

The Next Step In Being Saved Is Being Baptized

There is a great deal of disagreement in the religious world over the relation of baptism to salvation. Some think it unnecessary to being saved, but necessary to being in the church. But notice what the Bible teaches: (1) Sins are washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16). (2) One is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26,27). Also, (3) baptism is essential to having a good conscience before God (1 Peter 3:21).

We must recognize that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) and that it is an immersion in water (Romans 6:4), not sprinkling, in obedience to the Lord. It is also something for believers who have repented of their sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). When one is obedient in this way God has promised to forgive his sins. But, this is not the end! One comes from the water of baptism to walk in a new life (Romans 6:4).

This New Life Is Faithful Service To God

Now as one of God's children we are expected to live for Him. Saints were told in Revelation 2:10 to be "faithful unto death" if they would receive the crown of life. In Hebrews 3:12 saved people are warned to not depart from the living God. This shows that they could have. Then in Hebrews 6:1-6 they are warned that they can fall away but are encouraged to go on to perfection. Let us strive to do just that!

Check Every Passage Given In Your Bible - if you have questions send them to worship@mainstcoc.com.

After Baptism, What Then?

Things to Remember

God Wants You to ...

Does the Sinner's Prayer Save Us?

Jesus was a man of prayer. He taught the disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9) and prayed the night He was betrayed (Luke 23:44). Jesus never said an alien sinner could pray and be forgiven of sins. An alien sinner is one who is of the age of consent and has never obeyed the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8,9).

Some teach that by saying a prayer such as found in Luke 18:13, a person can become a Christian. In this passage, there is no evidence showing the publican was an alien sinner. Both men went to the temple to pray. The real lesson in the story is the difference between pride and humility.

Can prayer change an alien sinner into a Christian? If alien sinners can be saved by prayer then why didn’t Peter tell those on Pentecost that they should pray (Acts 2:38) instead of repent and be baptized? Why wasn’t the Ethiopian nobleman, Cornelius, Lydia and the Philippian jailor told to pray for their salvation (Acts 8:38; 10:47, 48; 16:15,33)? Why didn’t Jesus say, "He that prayeth shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)?

Why didn’t Peter say, "Prayer doth save us" (1 Peter 3:21)? Why was Saul told to be baptized after he had already spent time praying, if a sinner can be saved by prayer (Acts 22:16)? Why isn’t there at least one example in the New Testament of a non-Christian being saved because he prayed?

Because it is not God’s will (John 9:31). Because prayer is not a substitute for obedience and obedience is necessary to the forgiveness of sins (Romans 6:17,18). Prayer is never offered as an option for believing (Hebrews 11:6), for repenting (Acts 2:38), for confessing Christ (Acts 8:37) or for baptism to wash away every sin (Acts 22:16). To encourage an alien sinner to pray and to suggest that he has done all God calls on him to do is not taught in the Bible.

What Is the History of the Sinner's Prayer?

We must look to the Bible for answers concerning our salvation (Acts 17:11-12). The "Sinner’s Prayer" is not found in the Bible. Where and when was the "sinner’s prayer" invented?

During the 1700's, a man named John Webb used Revelation 3:14-20, to convince people that all they had to do was "let Jesus come into their hearts." Other preachers began using the same technique and the necessity of baptism was all but forgotten. Baptism was then reduced to an "outward sign of an inward grace."

In the mid-1700's Eleazar Wheelock brought sinners forward to the front pew and manipulated to conversion. This technique, was called the "Mourners Seat," and relied on emotionalism to persuade sinner’s of their need for conversion.

In the 1800's, Charles Finney practiced psychological manipulation using the "Anxious Seat." Finney used this practice to replace baptism in salvation. During the 1860's Dwight Moody modified the "Anxious Seat" and replaced it with the "Inquiry Room." In the Inquiry Room converts were asked questions, taught scriptures and prayed with.

By the late 1800's Moody’s popularity grew and this was the standard technique used during evangelistic meetings across America and England. Later R.A. Torrey modified Moody’s approach and created "instant salvation" exhorting sinners to accept Christ on the spot.

By the 1900's Billy Sunday had started preaching "Fire and Brimstone" sermons using the Finney-Moody method during his evangelistic crusades. Sunday often told people they were saved just by walking down the aisle.

Sunday died in 1935 leaving behind many imitators. Billy Graham is the most famous preacher to follow Sunday. The altar call system used by Graham was refined to use music, counselors and preaching that geared people to "accept Christ as their savior." Graham quotes many scriptures but never teaches the necessity of Biblical baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).

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