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The term “Christian” has become a word that is not easily defined. Actually, in the “Christian World” there are just as many opinions of who real Christians are as Baptist churches in the south.  There was a day in America where if you liked baseball, apple pie, and drove a Chevrolet, you were simply assumed to be a Christian.  (Sorry Ford Owners)  When American citizens debate whether or not we are a Christian nation, many who live in Muslim countries believe that everyone who lives in America are Christians.  Of course, they view the “American Christian” quite a bit differently than who we define here at Central as being a true “Christian.”

 

So what do we believe it means to be a Christian?

What do we need to understand to become a true Christian?

I. We believe that every person is born in a lost condition needing a SAVIOR.

 

The Bible teaches us that there has never been a person who has walked on this earth, other than Jesus Christ, who was not a sinner by choice and by nature. Therefore no one is born a Christian and everyone stands in need of becoming one.  Consider the following scriptures.

 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  - Romans 3:23

 

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” - Isaiah 53:6

 

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” - Isaiah 59:2
 

II. We believe that every person must recognize their lost condition and their NEED for a Savior.

 

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:8-9

 

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” - Jeremiah 17:9

 

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’” - Romans 3:10-12

 
III. We believe that every person must personally turn from their sin and ACCEPT God’s free gift for their salvation.  How is this done?

 

A. This Includes repentance.  

Repentance is turning and going in the opposite direction.  It is not feeling sorry for your sin.

 

“‘The time has come,’ he said. ;The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” - Mark 1:15

 

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” - Acts 2:38

 

“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

 
B. This Includes confession.

“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.” - Romans 10:9a
 

C. This Includes belief. 

“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.” - Romans 10:9b

Salvation belief is transformational belief.

D. This Includes acceptance.

“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 1:12-13

 

IV. We believe that every personal salvation is accompanied by invisible and visible fruit. 

 

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” - Matthew 3:8

 

“By their fruit you will recognize them. . . . Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” - Matthew 7:16, 20

 

“Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” - Luke 6:44 (Good and bad)

 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” - John 15: 5 & 8

 

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work.” - Colossians 1:10
A true believer in Jesus Christ will produce fruit that is consistent with that person’s salvation experience.

 

(a) This Includes a Change of heart.

(b) This Includes a Change of lifestyle.

 

V. We believe that personal salvation cannot happen simply when the individual chooses.

 

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” - John 6:44

 

“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

 

You must respond when he illumines your mind about your sin and about your need to receive him. There have been too many people who did not respond when they were under conviction but decided to wait.  They intended to respond to the Lord later, but today they are still hopelessly lost.   Did they simply pass by the door when it was opened and wait too long until the door was sealed shut?  Just like the people of Noah’s day, don’t wait until God shuts the door from the inside, making it too late to enter.

 

YOU CAN TAKE THESE STEPS BY PRAYING A SIMPLE PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO GOD:

 

Words of Great Caution!!

The words of this prayer alone will not save you.  You must mean them.  It is Jesus that saves. Paul told us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace 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.” 

 

So as you pray the following prayer, think about the words and make certain that you mean them and believe them.

 

“Dear Jesus, thank You for making me and loving me, even when I’ve ignored you and gone my own way.  I realize I need you in my life and I’m sorry for my sins.  I ask you to forgive me.  Thank You for dying on the cross for me.  Please help me to understand it more.  As much as I know how, I want to follow you from now on.  Please come into my life and make me a new person inside.  I accept your gift of salvation.  Please help me to grow now as a Christian.”

 

 “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:13

 

The Greatest thing a person can do is call upon the Lord to be their Savior and Lord.  But there is more.  What happens next?  Being a Christian is not just about going to heaven when a person dies.  It’s about being a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ.  It doesn’t mean you have arrived, it means that you’re just getting started.

 

The first act of obedience of a “New Believer” is the act of water baptism.  We practice two ordinances here at Central.  We do not call them sacraments, because we don’t believe they have anything to do with salvation. In other words, we don’t practice them to obtain salvation, but rather we practice them because of salvation. What are they?  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Both of these are included in the tab, “What we believe.”

 

What is important to understand is that following trusting Christ as your Savior you identify with a local Bible Believing church, and make contact with one of our pastors or the pastor of the church you attend and ask him what the next step is.  Congratulations on becoming a member of God’s family.  Right now there is a party going on in heaven on your behalf!