I want to be a Christian!

Christianity isn't similiar to other religions because the other religions think one can get to heaven by works alone. Also, no other leader of the other religions claimed to be God Himself. These are just a couple things out of many more.

Only in christianity is salvation a gift by God and after one is truly saved their works is a byproduct of their faith. Yes, everyone thinks they are the "true" religion, but no other religious book or book period has hundreds of detailed prophesies that has come true in it. It could only be written by God.

Biblical Evidence – This is a very small amount of information
out of large amounts of information out there.

Internal Evidences-Prophesies that are confirmed with Bible;

mentioning only a few – but there are hundreds.

Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen. 49:10, Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke’s time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5, Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 – four kingdoms are described in the interpretation
of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek – Daniel 8:21, 10:20/ and a fourth great kingdom to follow which was part iron and clay – which is the
Roman Empire – during this empire, Christ came and the church was established – Daniel 2:44.

Historical Accuracy

The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events of hundreds of years ago, yet
none of them has been proven to be incorrect.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents)
New Testament – starts at 25 years – between the original and surviving copies
Homer- starts at 500 years/Demosthenes – at 1400 years/Plato – at 1200 years/
Caesar – at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies

New Testament – 5,686/Homer – 643/Demosthenes – 200/Plato – 7/Caesar – 10

Consistency – Written by 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no
Internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration- It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.


External Evidences

(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never to be built again- and they haven’t.
Niveveh – Nahum 1:10, 3:7, 15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon – Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre -Ezekiel 26:1-28

Bible before Science

He hangs the earth on nothing – Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago – some scholars think it could have been even 3000
years ago)
Note: Man only knew the above for 350 years.
Earth is a sphere – Isaiah 40:22/Air has weight – Job 28:25/
Gravity – Job 26:7, Job 38: 31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True

Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogical Evidence (Still adding to this list today- it hasn’t stopped)
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

I highly recommend reading the Bible, all the way through. do a little bit every day at least. praying and reading the Bible will help you greatly in learning more

You can believe.

Start with checking out the evidence:

http://christianforums.com/t6757915...en-it-comes-to-christianity.html#post42856773

Aetius said:

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

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You want to seek for answers, but you are looking so far away. Seek in religion and you will be running in circles all your life.

Good people go to hell because they did not believe and follow Yahushua. Yah gave us life the gift of free-will to choose what we desire. That doesn't mean, our very choice are Yah's choice. He desires that we fall away from sin, and to walk holy as he is holy in his only son Yahushua. He doesn't desire for us to remain in our sin. We will reap what we sow. There is a law and sin must be punished. While there is time of grace, be wise and choose life.

I am pleased to hear that you want to become a christian, but no one but you can take that step. It is a relationship with God. You have to commite yourself full heartedly. I know you have many question about christians, and the religion, but when you are ready , you will give your life to jesus, and ask him to forgive you and let him take control of your life, and that you believe that he died on the cross you save us from our sins. I cryed my eyes out the first time I got saved and asked jesus to come into my life. He won't unless you ask him to, and it is the most wonderful feeling you'll ever experience. I hope you find what you are looking for, and you will be in my prayers. God bless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck6aji4bdWU

You need to receive His Life by receiving the Holy Spirit, as detailed in scripture:-

"they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance . . .For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:4, 39)

That is otherwise known as being "born again" / "born of the Spirit". Many people know John 3v3-5 and v16, but look at v8:-
"The wind blows (Greek: the Spirit breathes) where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit"

Apart from delving into the bible, the best thing I think I can say is Jesus seemed most impressed with those who came to him with great faith, regardless of what they had done, one example was the Roman .
God can help and faith can grow.
Jesus would welcome you with love into his church.
God bless

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

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That's great! Just be careful of the ritual part IMO. It's very easy for people to slip right into the ritual and then into legalism, etc. - missing what's truly important.

The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

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There are clearly angels and demons mentioned in the Bible. Jesus was an exorcist and spoke of the evil one (Matt. 5:37, Matt. 6:13, Matt. 13:38, John 17:15). If you have faith in Jesus you must have faith in what He says.

Where do the ideas in our head behind temptation come from? What of the extra encouragement we might receive to do the right thing? Are these always our own or stray thoughts or are we encouraged by someone else (while still maintaining our free will)?

If you believe in the power of Jesus to affect our lives, why not then the reality of an angel or demon who is far less in comparison?

Also, if you look hard enough EVERYTHING will eventually have a similarity to it compared to something else (regarding Christianity vs. other, earlier beliefs). But when you notice the differences, then it's remarkable.

I believe the Bible is God-inspired. Meaning, despite all those different authors over hundreds and hundreds of years, God is the Editor. He's telling the story -- His story. His POV. And that's why I believe from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation human beings are called out so clearly for what they are: sinners against God . . .

Perhaps prior traditions or beliefs were subsumed into the Bible -- but what does it matter if it's to the further glory of God as revealed through the Word? Actually, that's indeed a victory of God over paganism!

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

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Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). And there he was -- staring at Truth incarnate.

Pray to God to show you what truth is (Matt. 7:7-11):

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

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Read the Bible, and I do agree, the whole thing, even a little each day, from beginning to end, not necessarily sequentially, but the whole thing, then do it over and over.

Pray to God to show you the truth of what you are reading. For now, not everyone I believe can or will understand everything (1 Cor. 13:12), but over time you will learn all things (John 14:26).

Don't rely so much on feelings (which can fluctuate). This is a personal relationship that goes the distance (as in any relationship feelings can temporarily fluctuate but aren't truly reflective of what's going on). Know through the Word about God through Jesus Christ. It will come as the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart. Without faith it's impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me.

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God is perfect and holy (which means seperate). He cannot stand sin. Most of us (maybe virtually all of us) I think don't realize how much God hates sin, can't stand it. Sin is what alienates us from God.

The torment is to be seperated from God and unforgiven of our sins. You burn because God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29). He is the judge and Jesus is the only way to Him (John 14:6). Jesus is the standard. Paul says men are without excuse (Rom. 1:20). God has made it plain to them (Rom. 1:19).

How those who don't know Jesus will be judged exactly I can't say. You can only present someone with the truth about Jesus and then it's up to the Holy Spirit to do the rest. In that sense (to a point) it's out of your hands and God is always in control. If you accept this, then regardless of how you believe it shouldn't make a difference. Everything is for God. God is just (Deut. 32:4) and no one is good but Him (Mark 10:18). This is I believe in part where faith comes in.

Also in Romans 2:12-16 this might help:

12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

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Further reflection I believe can be found by Jesus concerning the seperating of the sheeps and goats in Matt. 25:31-46 . . . Especially when people are asking the Lord when they did these things to Him. I don't believe these are the questions of Christ-followers. Do they then have a limited relationship with Jesus Christ by their actions and didn't know it!?

Possibly. But who can know for sure? If you confess your sins and are washed clean by the blood of Jesus then there is no doubt that you will be saved (and not have to suffer any kind of torment). Food for thought. Again, I completely believe God is just.

Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

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Genocide IS wrong. But God doesn't cause these things, man does. What I think is going on is that God gives us free will to make our choices -- then He will act in response to the choices we make. God doesn't compel or coerce, He woos. Any one of us is free to reject Him if we so choose.

And then, when wars (which I have heard it argued are judgments by God) do occur, we can't see how they fit into God's larger plan. Whenever there is tragedy there is always a way for at least some good to come out of it (even if it's only people pulling together like they wouldn't before).

God is completely unrestricted, outside of the space, time, and dimensions He created. He sees the big picture. We just don't always see but again you must have faith in God. Reading Job might help here.

And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

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JMO, but I believe God loves it when we ask earnest, searching questions about Him! He wants that personal interaction with Him. He wants you to seek Him out . . . Find Him, don't give up. Take Him up on His offer of eternal life through His Son. Don't stop exploring Him and the infinite wonder of all that He is. Amen!

I've been there1
And the thing is, you will never come to faith through your intellect.

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ITA. This can't come through intellect, but there is absolutely more at work here. We couldn't come to Him on our own.



God Bless.

Do not give up your desire to seek out reasonable answers to worldly questions by giving in to a desire to be a part of community and ritual. Those things can be had without irrational beliefs about nature.

Notice that your very reasonable questions about the contradictory manner in which the Christian God reguards your muslim friend were not answered here by the well meaning people of this forum. They were simply deflected. 'God works in mysterious ways' is not an answer at all. It is a way of avoiding the question, or telling you you shouldn't be asking it. Like when a kid who knows more than the teacher asks a question the teacher can't answer. The teacher always responds "You don't need to know that." Well, you want to know, and you can. Christianity just doesn't have the answer for you.

I think you already know why the so many religious dogmas simply don't make sense. I'll just say the problem isn't you, or the shortcomings of human logic. It is exactly what it seems to be, that religious dogmas DON"T MAKE SENSE.

Keep asking questions, always, and demand answers, of yourself as well as others.

LJSGM said:

Just because christians say that there is eternal torment doesn't mean that it's true. If you have a look yourself, like I did, the scriptures never mention a everlasting "torment," but they do mention an everlasting destruction. Quite often actually. What does Jesus mean when he says that we will inherit eternal "life," as opposed to what? Eternal death?

Just trying to help out a little.

Just as others have said, becoming born again is not done by intellect alone. It is supernatural, and all of us can testify to it.

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It is Eternal death... why do you think the lake of fire in Revelations is referred to as the "Second Death".
But on the topic, no one can really tell you what to believe/not to believe. but unlike our atheist friend, here, keep your mind open to the possiblity and inevitable truth that God exists, has a plan, and that plan involved Christ dying for you sins so that you would be able to go to God when you die. The whole point of Christ's sacrifice is to destroy that invisible barrier, sin, that keeps us separated from God.