What are the steps to becoming a Christian?

[gqaggie04]

There is something that I want to address that I believe is causing some confusion. People keep bringing up the verses that teach we are not saved by works, and I want to make it known that I agree with everyone of those verses. I do not believe that any work, including belief, repentance, confession, and baptism can earn salvation. Those works without God's grace would do me absolutely no good.

Often, when Paul is emphasizing salvation without works, he is contrasting the new covenant through Christ with the old Mosaical law. Such is the case in all three of the scriptures that Arc referenced.

It is helpful to understand that the Jews were of a very legalistic mentality. They acted as though they could earn their salvation by keeping the old law. Look at the Pharisee's attitude in Luke 18:10-14. Paul wanted to stress the fact that keeping the old law perfectly had not been done by any of them, so they could not be saved through the works of the law.

In the new covenant, Paul wants everyone to realize that good works, or works of law, will not save anyone. If God places conditions on salvation in the new covenant, in no way does that mean meeting those conditions earns us salvation.

Belief, confession, repentance, and baptism cannot be considered as works of the law that we use to justify or save ourselves. They are simply conditions that God wants us to meet, in order to enter a relationship with Him. They are conditions that He has set, not that man has invented, so no man may "boast" that he has saved himself.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. KJV

Works of which man can boast will not save. Works that God has ordained, however, cannot be boasted of by men, and they can save us through His good grace.

 

[Reformationist]

There is something that I want to address that I believe is causing some confusion. People keep bringing up the verses that teach we are not saved by works, and I want to make it known that I agree with everyone of those verses. I do not believe that any work, including belief, repentance, confession, and baptism can earn salvation. Those works without God's grace would do me absolutely no good.

Often, when Paul is emphasizing salvation without works, he is contrasting the new covenant through Christ with the old Mosaical law. Such is the case in all three of the scriptures that Arc referenced.

It is helpful to understand that the Jews were of a very legalistic mentality. They acted as though they could earn their salvation by keeping the old law. Look at the Pharisee's attitude in Luke 18:10-14. Paul wanted to stress the fact that keeping the old law perfectly had not been done by any of them, so they could not be saved through the works of the law.

In the new covenant, Paul wants everyone to realize that good works, or works of law, will not save anyone. If God places conditions on salvation in the new covenant, in no way does that mean meeting those conditions earns us salvation.

Belief, confession, repentance, and baptism cannot be considered as works of the law that we use to justify or save ourselves. They are simply conditions that God wants us to meet, in order to enter a relationship with Him. They are conditions that He has set, not that man has invented, so no man may "boast" that he has saved himself.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. KJV

Works of which man can boast will not save. Works that God has ordained, however, cannot be boasted of by men, and they can save us through His good grace.

Hello gqaggie04. Let me say that your previous post is well written, though, I believe it to be theologically unsound. No where, that I'm aware of, does the Bible say that our works, be they ordained by God or invented by man, are the basis for God's saving grace. Let me also say that I believe we are most certainly saved by works, just not ours.

Through the disobedience of Adam we, as a creation, were brought into the bondage of sin and separated from glorious communion with our Creator. That communion, in it's real sense, is not re-established by our performing any works of virtue, be they ordained by God or invented by man. That communion was re-established by the complete obedience of the Christ, Jesus and the sovereign indwelling, regenerative Spirit of God. God accounted the righteousness of Christ to those for whom His propitiation atoned, thereby effectively appeasing God's wrath against those He had brought unto Himself.

Those works of obedience, repentence, baptism, prayer, communion of the saints, godly living, etc are definitely commanded. However, what must be noted is that even our works of godly obedience are not completely pure. We believers, as a fallen, though regenerate creation, do, by the indwelling grace of the Holy Spirit, seek to please God. What we don't do is seek to please God prior to His indwelling of us. We are a rebellious creation that, in our flesh, seeks to do nothing more than rebel against God and His Law. When He regenerates us our desire to rebel is changed. We, as regenerate creatures, now have a desire to please God. We have faith in Him and this faith, if it's genuine, will naturally be acted upon through obedience.

The point is, those acts of obedience are not the causal agent of God redeeming us but rather the fruit of having been brought back to life.

God bless

 

[Arc]

Arc,

Jesus does not simply tell them to believe when they ask what works they can do. Jesus Himself calls the belief a work. He says believing is working the works of God.

No where does the Bible make the distinction that belief is an inward work, while repentance and baptism are outward works.

You are correct, however, in saying that repentance and baptism result from belief.

In one of my earlier posts, I went through the first example of conversion in Acts 2. If you will notice the question these Jews ask the apostles in verse 37, it seems apparent that these individuals believe at that point. Peter had already explained that they have sinned, and that Jesus had been made Lord and Christ. Then, they want to know what they must do. If belief had been enough to save them, Peter would have said, "You are already saved, now you just need to repent and be baptized as an outward sign of that belief." But he didn't say this.

Instead, Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. In other words, their belief alone did not result in the remission of sins; there was more to be done.

If you look in verse 40, Peter tells them to save themselves from this crooked generation. Obviously, they were not yet saved.

So what did those people do that gladly received his word. Well those that gladly received what he said wanted part of this salvation; they wanted to save themselves from this crooked generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. KJV

If simply receiving the word had been enough, Peter could have stopped his sermon back before verse 37. They believed on Christ at that point.

gqaggie04,

My point, as it does seem that you do understand what I meant, is the difference between work of the law and inward work. Jesus did call it a work, because it is a requirement. Paul in Rom 4:5 is showing that there is not a "laundry list" of requirements that must be specifically met to recieve salvation. As Paul goes on to say:
"How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised" (Rom 4:10-11)
So baptism would be an outward sign of the washing away of sin that is done by God, because of the belief you already have.

Jesus said:
Matt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
24 "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26 "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
28 "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Inner cleanliness leads to outer cleanliness, the inner change comes first, then your outer change (your actions) will be righteous. What the epistles stress is the importance of noticing our outer actions, these actions are a sign of the "inner man". Someone who practices blatant, continual sinning is not "clean on the inside" as Jesus pointed out above. (And as Paul points out in Galatians 5).

So, what I am saying is there is no specific formula other than what has already been mentioned. Our outward acts show our inward belief. What we are commanded to do beyond this is to Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) But the criminal on the cross did not do any outward sign, except admit his guilt, not ask for his "just suffering" to be ended early, and believe in Christ:

Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!"
43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

Many of our outward signs give glory to God, and make it possible that others can recognize believers. But again I don't think we are required to figure out a specific sequence of events, but rather to live for, love and praise God, as well as respect His creation. When you are right on the inside, the outside is made right as well. It doesn't mean it's an instant change, but it does happen. And the struggle against sin continues:

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

 

[gqaggie04]

Arc,

Based on your beliefs, could you please explain why the people in Acts 2 were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, despite the fact that they had obviously already believed. Why did God not save them based on that belief?

Or to Reformationist, if after the Holy Spirit regenerated these Jews, so that they believed and wanted to know what they needed to do, why were they told to do additional things prior to the remission of sins?

 

[Reformationist]

Or to Reformationist, if after the Holy Spirit regenerated these Jews, so that they believed and wanted to know what they needed to do, why were they told to do additional things prior to the remission of sins?

Which Jews? Also, who said they were regenerate?

 

[Follower of Christ]

If we look at the teachings of different denominations, or if we read various materials, we will undoubtedly find numerous ideas on how one becomes a Christian. Perhaps the most popular idea currently is "the sinner's prayer," where one invites Christ to come into his or her heart as the personal saviour.

Each of these ideas, including the sinner's prayer offer some scripture for support, but almost all neglect other passages dealing with the subject.

Here is a list of actions and concepts that the Bible says saves us. (cannot guarantee that I have not left something out; feel free to add if Bible based)

The Bible mentions that faith saves. (Rom 4:5)
The Bible mentions that repentance saves. (Acts 2:38)
The Bible mentions that baptism saves. (Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16)
The Bible mentions that grace saves. (Eph. 2:8)
The Bible mentions that confession saves. (Acts 22:16)
The Bible mentions that Christ's blood saves.(countless)
The Bible mentions that belief saves. (Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43)

After looking at this list, I think a fair question would be, "Shouldn't a guideline for becoming a Christian include everything that the Bible includes?"

Do most denominations include all of these? Does the sinner's prayer include all of these? If they don't include all of these, can they be Biblically correct?

''And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your household. ''
(Act 16:30-31)

 

[aggie03]

''And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your household. ''
(Act 16:30-31)

I'm glad that you brought this passage up because it really does help to shed some light on the matter. The only thing that we have to do is read further than just the single verse that you've presented:

Acts 16:29-34 ASV

And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. (32) And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. (34) And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.

If we were to just take the verse that you presented the question would arise as to whether or not the entire family of the jailor would be saved when just he believed. I'm sure that we can all agree that's not the case because we have to consider this passage along with its context.

Paul and Silas spoke the word of Christ to the them (Romans 10:17) and they heard it. They believed that Christ was the son of God and were baptized for the remission of their sins. An important thing to note is that they weren't considered as believing in God until after they were baptized because, as Gqaggie has pointed out, being baptized is one of the things that God says is necessary for us to be saved. Again, baptism does not merit our salvation any more than believing does, it is just a condition that has been put on receiving God's grace.

 

[Arc]

Arc,

Based on your beliefs, could you please explain why the people in Acts 2 were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, despite the fact that they had obviously already believed. Why did God not save them based on that belief?

Regenerate man can still sin, repentance is turning away from sin now that you are aware of it. The phrase "Repent and be baptized" is of both God and man. Man believes, God gives man a new nature and forgives sins.

EZEK:
36:24 "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

31 "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.
32 "I am not doing this for your sake," declares the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!"


Man repents (turns from sin) because of his belief in Christ. I don't think the immersion clenses you of sin, I think it is an outward sign of the clensing of sin that God does (as above), through faith in Jesus Christ.

It (baptism) works the same way circumcision worked with Abraham. It was an outward sign of righteousness:

Rom:
4:9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

So again, not trying to make a formula out of it, but I would say that baptism is more of an outward sign of the clensing and change within that is triggered by belief & faith in Christ. Just as Abraham's circumcision was an outward sign of his faith. There is much more that could be said on this, but once you do believe, I think reading the Bible as a whole is important (for a new believer) for an understanding of what they have just (or will soon be) comitted to. I see people going and getting baptized because of family or peer pressure and then go back to their old ways, not even wanting to learn about Christ. Which is why we are told "repent". Not be baptized, sin willfully as long as you like without trying to repent, and be saved when your ready.

These are outward signs of an inward change. That one word "belief" sums up a lot about commitment. It's not just a mere intellectual exercise that's void of commitment to active obedience. (Matt 7:16-21)

Am I making any sense?

 

[Heinrich2]

I'm not an expert (Please note)
But as far as I know there does never stand in the bible that you will go to hell if your not baptized.

One of the best examples would probably the guy next to jesus on the cross.
He was not baptized!
He did believe in Jesus.. Well else he wouldn't have asked him.
And in most part God's grace saved him.

Jesus says very clearly that the only way to the father is through the Son.

(this is not a complete answer)

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

HOW CAN MAN BELIEVE BY HIM SELF?

hA ha .......HE CAN'T

ROMANS 3:10-11

HOLY SPIRIT [PUT OR BAPTISED]INTO CHRIST NOT US

TITUS 3:5
1COR 2:10

 

[Arc]

-Even though all men sin, does this mean man cannot know good too? Don't both coexist?

-So if someone doesn't believe in Christ, can God's Grace same him?

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

-Even though all men sin, does this mean man cannot know good too? Don't both coexist?

-So if someone doesn't believe in Christ, can God's Grace same him?

two part question............

#1 it is all relative there man's good hay, wood ,and stumble will be burnt at the Bema Seat and
God's good works working thru us when we are spiritual are gold silver and precious stones

verse 1 cor 3:12-23

When the Holy Spirit convicts that person he believes. So whosoever in God's will ....will be saved Eph 1:4 Romans 8:29

 

[Arc]

Acts:
8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

How could Samaria recieve the word of God without being changed by the Spirit first? You said:

When the Holy Spirit convicts that person he believes. So whosoever in God's will ....will be saved Eph 1:4 Romans 8:29

But the Samarians did believe, and were baptized. But had not recieved the Holy Spirit. So by what means did they believe, if it was not the work of God?

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

Acts is a transitional book between Law and Grace dispensations .....you can pick every example in acts and it changing through out the book


the example of salvation that I gave you is in the dispensation of grace

 

[Arc]

There has always been "law and Grace" There was never a time when law ended and Grace began. Granted, those who walk "In the Spirit" are not "under the Law", but the law has not passed away, and will not until all is accomplished. The Grace of God has been in effect since at least Noah. Unless Noah found favor by keeping the law which was not even established yet.

1 Peter 3:20...when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

And Abraham believed the promise of his seed;
Galatians:
3:15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed,"who is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Salvation has always worked the same, Believing God which included Faith in Abraham's "seed", the coming redeemer, which was Christ, looking to the future. And now we look back to Christ and believe in Him, the same way people before Christ looked ahead. People in the past had to believe it was going to happen and people in the future have too look back on Christ and believe He was the promised redeemer.

Gal 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

So the Law was never a means toward salvation, because it was impossible to keep. It did not invalidate, nor add conditions to the Promise made to Abraham.

Once you believe you are no longer under the "tutor" of the Law, that was and still is meant to drive people to Christ. But not being under a tutor does not remove the ability to sin, it teaches you what sin is.

Christ comfirmed the covenant given by God to Abraham. He comfirmed it with His blood and broken body.

Gal 3:
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it


John 1 :17 For the law was given by Moses, but thee grace and thee truth came by Jesus Christ

Hebrew 11:4 abel
11:5 Enoch
11:8 Abraham
11:20 Isaac
11:21 Jacob
11:22 Joseph
11:23 Parents of Moses
11:24 Moses
ABOVE BEFORE LAW BELOW LAW

11:30 Joshua and Israel
11:31 Rahab
11:32 Others named
11:35 could work for a better resurrection
not salvation
11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they [above verses] without us should not be made perfect

 

[aggie03]

I don't understand the point that you're trying to make . Is there anyway that you could restate this point, explaining thuroughly the examples that you've posted?

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it


John 1 :17 For the law was given by Moses, but thee grace and thee truth came by Jesus Christ

STARTING POINTSAND ENDING POINTS AND DIFFERENCES

Hebrew 11:4 abel
11:5 Enoch
11:8 Abraham
11:20 Isaac
11:21 Jacob
11:22 Joseph
11:23 Parents of Moses
11:24 Moses
ABOVE BEFORE LAW BELOW LAW

11:30 Joshua and Israel
11:31 Rahab
11:32 Others named
11:35 could work for a better resurrection
not salvation
11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they [above verses] without us should not be made perfect

This shows that all the OT saints have different promises and the CHURCH has better promises and different than them

 

[Arc]

This shows that all the OT saints have different promises and the CHURCH has better promises and different than them

How is that?

Heb 11:13-16;
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

They (and we) all hold to belief in the promise to be fulfilled in Rev 21;

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
6 Then He said to me, "It is done.

We await the last enemy to be destroyed, which is death.

1 Corinthians 15
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

This will occur at the second coming, when the dead are resurrected.

John 5
28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice
29 and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

How is that?

Heb 11:13-16;
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

[/u]

stand corrected about pre-law saints thanks for verse that I missed

But be still have better promises than the Law- believers since they are promise Land and we are promise to be bride with Christ