EBOOK ON HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

By TUNDE ADENIYI

2012

This ebook simplifies to a great deal, the issue of how to become a Christian. Anyone can pick up this material, go through it, and by the grace of God, understand it enough to take and make a quality life changing, destiny promoting decision. PROLOGUE WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? To answer this question accurately it would be best to let the Holy Bible, the scriptures speak for itself. In the book of: (1) Acts 11:26c we are told that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch meaning that A Christian is a disciple of Jesus A Christian means little christ (2) Jn 8:31 says If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed which means a Christian or a disciple of Jesus is someone who continues in the word of God i.e. keeps it.

(3) Jn 1:12-13 we are told ..but as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born not of blood (i.e. natural inheritance through parentage), nor of the will of the flesh (no man can save himself), nor of the will of man (no man can save another man), but of God.

Here we are told a Christian is someone who has received Jesus and believed on his name. Such ones are said to be born of God and are given power to become sons of God. (4) 1 Jn 5:1 says whosoever (regardless of age, sex, race, status, occupation) believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God which means anybody (without exception) that believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God or is a child of God or a Christian.

(5) Rom 8:14 says as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. which means a Christian is someone who is led by the Spirit of God. (6) Gal 3:26 says for ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore a Christian is someone who has become a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore putting all these verses together makes it clear that a Christian is; - A disciple of Jesus - A follower of Jesus - A little Christ - Someone who continues in the word of God - Someone who has received Jesus and believed on his name - Someone who is born of God and has been given power to become a son of God - Someone who believes that Jesus is the Christ - Someone who is led by the Spirit of God - Someone who has become a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus CHAPTER 1: THE STATE OF MAN The bible has much to say about the state of man i.e. in his natural state, unregenerate and separated from God. In: (1) Rom 3:23 it says all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (2) Rom 3:10 says that there is none that is righteous, no not one. (3) Jer 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (4) 1 Cor 2:14 says the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned

(5) Eph 2:1-3 says who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (6) Eph 2:12 says ye were without Christ aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (7) Gen 6:5 says and God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually Therefore putting all these verses together makes it clear that the state of man is: -That all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God -That there is none that is righteous, no not one -That the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? -That the natural (unsaved, unregenerate) man receiveth (accepteth or understandeth) not the things of the Spirit of God, they appear foolish to him, he cannot know (understand, decipher or appreciate) them because he cannot spiritually discern (interprete) them -One of someone who is dead in sins -One of someone whose life is dictated by the ways of the world in opposition to God. -One of someone teleguided and manipulated by the prince of the power of the air i.e. Satan the devil himself -One of someone controlled by the spirit working in human beings inducing them to disobey God -One of someone living his life under the dominion of lusts (or desires) of the flesh -One of someone fulfilling (carrying out or expressing) the desires of the mind no matter how distorted -One of someone who is by nature a child of wrath i.e. destined for punishment and destruction

-One of someone without Christ (no savior) -One of someone alienated from the benefits of the Israelite covenant -One of someone who does not know the covenant of God which is filled with promises of salvation, deliverance, protection, provision, healing etc. -One of someone who is totally hopeless and helpless -One of someone who has no God in the world, and is subject to the evil whims and caprices of satanic forces -One of someone whose wickedness is great in the sight of God -One of someone whose imaginations and thoughts are only evil continually. CHAPTER 2: GODS LOVE FOR MAN The bible tells us that God showed his love for man, and the following verses highlight the love of God: (1) Jn 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. (2) Rom 5:8 But God commended his love toward us, in that , while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (3) 1 Jn 3:1 says behold what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (4) 1 Jn 4:9 says In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him In conclusion what these verses are saying is that: -God loved humanity (all mankind) so much that he sacrificed his son to die in their place so that they would live forever with him. -God showed the extent of his love for us by allowing Jesus to die in our place even when we were still sinners. -God showed the kind of love he had for us by adopting us into his family and calling us his sons. -God expressed his love for all human beings by sending Jesus his only son into the

world to enable us live eternally through him.

CHAPTER 3: THE SOLUTION TO SIN In the following verses the bible states the solution to the problem of humanity namely SIN: (1) Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (2) Jn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (3) 1 Cor 15:3-4 how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (4) Jn 3:3 except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (5) Jn 3:5 except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot ent er into the kingdom of God (6) Rev 1:5 to him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood Taken together these verses tell us that the solution to sin is: -The gift of God which is eternal life which only comes through Jesus Christ -To receive Jesus, believe on his name and receive power to become a son of God -To believe that Christ died, was buried and rose on the third day according to scriptures -That except a man becomes born again he cannot see or perceive the kingdom of God -That except a man becomes born of water (i.e. the word of God) and the Holy Spirit of God he cannot enter into the kingdom of God -The blood of Jesus which alone can wash away our sins. CHAPTER 4:THE ELIGIBILITY OF ALL The question now is this: who is qualified to partake of this gift or solution to mans problem of sin? The bible tells us that all men (and women) are eligible for salvation, or can become Christians simply as a matter of choice. This can be seen from the following bible verses: (1) Rev 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with him.

(2) Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (3) Acts 2:21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (4) Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Thus the eligibility of all is highlighted such that: -If anyone hears Jesus knocking at the door of his heart and willingly opens to him, he will sup (dine or fellowship) with Jesus. -Anyone that calls on the name of Jesus for salvation shall be saved beyond question. -All the prophets (without exception) bear witness to the fact that through the name of Jesus all that believe on him receive remission of sins.

CHAPTER 5:MANS RESPONSIBILITY The responsibility of man is clearly outlined in the bible. God reveals to us through his word what man is expected to and should do namely: (1) (2) (3) (4) Mt 3:2 repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Mk 1:15 repent ye, and believe the gospel Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins maybe blotted out Acts 22:16 wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord It is clear from the bible that mans responsibility is to: -Repent i.e. change his mind and the direction of his life -Repent and believe the gospel or good news -Repent and be converted (born again) so that his sins may be erased or cancelled -Wash away his sins by calling on the name of the Lord

CHAPTER 6: ASSURANCE AS A BELIEVER The bible reveals to us in many passages that once we have taken a step of faith to believe in Jesus with our heart and confess him with our mouth that we can be sure that we are saved, forgiven and have become children of God. A few of these passages are namely: (1) Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (2) Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (3) Jn 5:24 he that heareth my word, and beliveth on him that sent me , hath everlasting life, and shalt not come into condemnation; but is passed fro m death unto life

(4) Jn 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (5) 1 Jn 5:13 that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God Therefore we can have assurance as a believer because: -The Holy Spirit tells us in our human spirit that we are children of God -If we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead we indeed are saved -If we hear his word (i.e. Jesus word) and believe on the one that sent Jesus i.e. God, we have everlasting life and shall not be condemned, but have crossed over from death to life -If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we have life through his name -The bible itself is written to let us know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life and that we may continue to believe on the name of the Son of God. EPILOGUE In summary after carefully considering the scripture passages, and the various stages and steps outlined in the preceding sections of this ebook the only thing left to do is to take a decision. Decide today to make Jesus Christ the lord and Saviour of your life and you will become born again. Below is a simple prayer that ANYONE ANYWHERE AND AT ANYTIME can pray so as to invite Jesus into their heart and life. Say this prayer NOW and your destiny shall change forever: essentially for time and eternity. MY DECISION TO RECEIVE CHRIST AS MY SAVIOUR Lord I confess with my mouth to you that I am a sinner, I believe in my heart that Jesus was crucified and died for my sins on the cross; was buried and rose from the dead on the third day for my justification. I do now receive and confess him as my personal Savior.

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On the strength and basis of the prayer and confession sincerely made as stated above, you are now born again. You are now a child of God, an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Join a bible believing church near to you that upholds the bible as the final authority, pray and read your bible every day. Make efforts to memorize a verse of scripture every week, and what God will do in and with your life will bless you and stagger your imagination. God Bless you!