WHAT
IS A CHRISTIAN
Christian-
adj. 1. Professing belief In Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the
life and teachings of Jesus. 2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus’s teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike. 4. Relating to or characteristic of
Christianity or its adherents. 5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
Christian- n. 1. One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based
on the life and teachings of Jesus. 2. One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
Christianly- adj. & adv. The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in
reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which
the disciples were known among themselves were “brethren”, “the faithful”, “elect”, “saints”,
“believers”. But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name “Christian”
came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts
11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16)
Salvation- n. 1a. Preservation
or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil. b. A source, means, or cause of such preservation
or deliverance. 2. Theology. A. Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption.
B. The agent or means that brings about such deliverance.
Salvational- adj.
This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally
from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance
from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, “the great salvation” (Heb. 2:3).
Repent- v. 1. To
feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite. 2. To feel
such regret for past conduct as to change one’s mind regarding it; repented of intemperate behavior. 3.
To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one’s sins.
The word “Baptism” means
“immersion” or “to be completely covered by; ie. To be baptized with the Holy Spirit means to be immersed
or filled with the Spirit. Water Baptism pictures our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.
As we are lowered into the water, our death and burial with Christ are symbolized. As we arise out
of the water, our new Resurrection life is pictured. This is also a public statement to all those in attendance
that we are committed to Christ, and have decided to follow the Lord. We are to live as though we are dead
to sin but alive to God (Rom. 6:1-11). Church Baptismal services are different from church to church.
Some have Baptismals in the church, some may use a swimming pool or a pond. Regardless, it is an
important event in a Christian’s life and it doesn’t matter where it’s done.
You don’t have to wait till your life is all together before you get right with God. Jesus
loves you right where you are. He’s the only one who can affect real change in your life, because
real change only comes from the inside out. Our attempts at making ourselves better are made with our own
self control. Without the Lord’s power the changes may not last, and the bottom line is that we cannot
get into heaven by ourselves…we need Jesus! Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you are
too evil for God to forgive. The Bible says that “when we repent, He is faithful and just to forgive,
and cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness.” If you are truly repentant, there is nothing that cannot
be forgiven. Jesus loves YOU, no matter what your past. Don’t think that if you
become a Christian, that you won’t have fun anymore. God will change your mind about what you think
is fun, but true Christians have real joy in their lives and really know what real fun is.
Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you can make in your life! Begin
by praying and believing a simple prayer like the one below:
…Lord Jesus, I need You in my life. I believe You are the Son of God
and that You died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for my sins and cleanse my heart.
Renew my spirit so that I can hear Your voice. Change my life in a way that Your will is done.
I accept You as my Savior! I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
If you sincerely prayed that prayer you can rest
assured that you are now a child of God! As a new Christian, Satan will probably try to come against you.
The good news is you have the power of Jesus Christ within you to defeat the tricks of Satan! Seek
the Lord and He will give you strength!
Share with someone about the step you have taken! This will help you to strengthen your faith.
It is important to find a good church where you can worship God and find support among other Christians.
Develop close relationships with Christian friends who can have Bible studies and pray with you. Pray
to the Lord daily and stay in constant communication with Him. Remember, salvation is a free gift that
the Lord has given you. Make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life by seeking His will and serving Him.
Don’t let the cares of this world have priority over a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The
number one goal is to have a close and sincere relationship with the Lord. When your salvation is involved,
you are relying on God’s Word – and God doesn’t lie. He has said that if you believe
in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved. You don’t base your
salvation on the way you feel. You base it on the pure, unadulterated Word of Almighty God.
God’s Word is the only evidence you have that you are saved, but that is all the evidence you need!
Several days or weeks from now, you may not feel very saved. You may begin to wonder if you were
ever really saved to start with. You will have doubts- Satan will see to that! But when
those thoughts and feelings come, just go back to the Word of God. You will see that it still says the
same thing. God never changes and His Word never changes. It is still just as true today
as when it was first spoken. People may try to convince you that it didn’t work. Temptations
may come to convince you that it didn’t work. Doubts will come to your mind. But
all those things do not alter the fact that God’s Word is true.