The ABCs of Becoming A Christian

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
​

A - Admit -- Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent, turning away from your sin.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

"Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," Acts 3:19

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

B - Believe -- Believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " John 14:6

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can
boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:11-13

C - Confess -- Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is
with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved . . . for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Romans 10:9-10, 13

We receive Christ through personal invitation. To accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, pray the following:

"I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you, Jesus, died for my sins. I choose to turn from my sins. I now receive you, Jesus, as
my Savior and invite you to come into my heart and life. I choose to trust and follow you as my Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen"

By receiving Jesus Christ, you are born again into God's family. You can be sure of eternal life with God because He has promised it!

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 
1John 5:11-12

Now, as a child of God:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

How? Read, study and learn His Word. Find a church that believes and teaches the entire Word of God. (Pay special attention to its statement of faith. It should cover these topics.) Spend time in prayer, talking with the
Lord God. Spend time with other believers.

Special thanks to the Southern Baptists and The Navigators for their concise presentation of the Gospel used above.

For an online Bible and resources, visit Got Questions, Crosswalk and Blue Letter Bible.

What does the future hold for believers and unbelievers?

Jesus promises to return to the earth to establish His Kingdom. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . . Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matthew 24: 36, 42

To learn how worldwide current events point to Jesus' second coming, visit Joel Rosenberg's weblog. Another excellent resource is the book "Footsteps of the Messiah" by Arnold Fructenbaum

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17