What is it like to become a Christian?

Listen to a story of how someone’s life is changed when they become a Christian.

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Why do we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… 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… (1 Corinthians 15:1,3,4)

The Bible plainly reveals that all men are sinners, lost, without hope and deserving of eternal punishment.

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Again, Romans 3:10 is pointed, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

You may ask yourself the question, What is sin?

The Bible defines sin in 1 John 3:4 as “the transgression (breaking) of the law.”

God’s Law, the 10 Commandments, show us that we are all great sinners in the sight of God.
Do you consider yourself to be a good person?

Read the following commandments and answer the questions honestly before God.

I. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME

Have you always loved God supremely in your life?
“Jesus said … Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38

II. THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE

Do you accept God as He presents Himself in the Bible? Or, like the pictures above, do you worship a god of your own imagination? E.g. A god that suits your own ideas and lifestyle.

III. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN

Have you ever used God’s name carelessly or as a swear word?
” … the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

IV. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY

Have you always given one day in seven to God?

V. HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER

Have you always honoured and obeyed your parents without fail?

VI. THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Have you ever hated someone? God sees hate as murder.
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” I. John 3:15

VII. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Have you ever been sleeping with someone, outside of marriage? “Played away from home?” Have you ever looked at someone with lust?
Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28

VIII. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

Have you ever stolen anything? The value of the item doesn’t make any difference.

IX. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

Have you ever lied, told a half truth to deceive someone or exaggerated the truth?
” … all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone … ” Revelation 21:8

X. THOU SHALT NOT COVET

Have you ever coveted something that does not belong to you?
E.g. Someone else’s car, house, job, money, social status etc …

No amount of good works, religion or turning over a new leaf will erase your sinful record. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Isaiah 64:6 states that “all our righteousnesses (good works) are as filthy rags … “
To illustrate, let’s suppose you commit a serious crime and go to jail. After your release, even if you never commit the same crime again, you will still have a criminal record for the rest of your life. Every time you sin and break God’s Holy Law it is recorded in the books of God in heaven. Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened … and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

What is the Gospel?

God in His great love provided a way for us to be rescued from judgment, a way for our sinful record to be made
clean. This is the Gospel, the good news!

Step 1 Jesus Christ died for our sins

God loved us so much he sent His only Son to take our place and pay the penalty of our sin so that we could be freely pardoned. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities (sins) the hastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The shedding of Christ’s sinless blood on the cross was the only payment that perfectly satisfied the justice of God and dealt forever with the problem of man’s sin.
Colossians 1:14 says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Step 2 Jesus Christ was buried

The Lord Jesus was buried in the garden tomb of a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah that the Messiah would make “his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death … ” Isaiah 53:9.
The Lord Jesus Christ himself prophesied that He would be crucified, buried three days, and rise again from the dead (Matthew 20:19; Mark 8:31).

Step 3 Christ rose again from the dead.

The greatest miracle in all human history took place when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. ” … He is not here, but is risen:” Luke 24:6. The fact that Christ rose again from the dead is the greatest proof that He is the Son of God. One of the most powerful forms of evidence given in a court of law is an eyewitness account. The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) were written by men who saw Christ after His resurrection and the Bible records that He was seen by over
500 witnesses at one time! I Corinthians 15:5-8 says, “And that he was seen of Cephas, (Peter) then of the twelve (disciples) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, … After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me (Paul)
also … “

Step 4 According to the Scriptures.

The Gospel is not a man-made idea but the literal fulfilment of the promises and prophecies of the
Bible. When Christ was on earth over 300 prophecies regarding His birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension were fulfilled. In the 24 hour period of the crucifixion alone, approximately 21 different prophecies were fulfilled in exact detail.

How should we respond to the Gospel?

The Lord Jesus said in Mark 1:15 ” … repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”

1. Repent

To repent means to have a change of mind and attitude about your sinful
condition. It means to turn from your sin and the path of destruction you
are on. Luke 13:3 Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.”

2. Believe the Gospel

To believe means to trust in Christ alone for your salvation. It means to receive the gift of salvation by faith without trying to offer something to God (e.g. your good works). John 1:12 says “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Dear reader, repent of your sin and believe on Christ today. Confess Him as Lord and call on Him for forgiveness. Romans 10:13 promises “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Maybe you could pray a simple prayer like this from your heart; Dear God, I have sinned against
you, and broken your laws. I now repent (turn) from my sin, believing the Lord Jesus Christ died
for my sins and rose again from the dead. I now trust in Him to save and forgive me. O God, be
merciful to me a sinner. Amen”

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