This article describes the basics of Christianity and what it's like to be a Christian. Written by Simon Rose and edited by John Kidson (Dip. Theology/Ministry, ACT; B. Counselling, UNE). Personal testimonies of becoming and growing as a Christian are provided at the end of this page.
GOD CARES FOR ALL PEOPLE
God has shown his love for us by sacrificing his only son. He did this so that we could have eternal life. Paul (apostle of Christ) explained: 'Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.' (Romans 5.6-8). God gave up his son while many ignored his existence.
God cares for us and wants to make us happy. He knows the true meaning of happiness. It states in Ecclesiastes 2.26, 'If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy'. Being content with what you already have is true happiness. Thinking otherwise can be an illusion with no real end. Trust God and you will find more enjoyment from what you have in life.
COMMON ISSUES
There is a choice to either accept or ignore God. Each one will have a different result after our death. Our current response is evident by our willingness to obey him and attempt to resist sinful desires. For those who believe, God will help them in trouble as they ask through prayer. Paul explained 'God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.' (1 Corinthians 10.13).
Following God is not a life of feeling guilty. Those who believe have forgiveness for their past, present and future sins. Christians who worry or feel guilty about their sins have forgotten they have been totally cleansed. God treats his children as though they are righteous, even though they are still sinners and can't completely obey the law.
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
Jesus is the Son of God, who stated 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth!' (Matthew 28.18). It is through Jesus we can have a personal relationship with God. It was by God's grace he gave his son to die for us, so that we could be rescued from our sin and the curse of the law. Paul commented: 'If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished. The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. The law of Moses can't do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin' (Romans 8.1-3). Jesus is the head of the believing congregation.
WHY BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST?
Faith in Jesus is the one way to eternal life. Paul stated: 'Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins...If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else. But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ' (1 Corinthians 15.17-21). Only Jesus can ask God to forgive us for our sins. This is because Jesus has been appointed in such a role by God.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
A Christian is someone who has made an agreement with God through prayer. The agreement involves a person:
1) Admitting they have sinned and need forgiveness to restore their relationship with God
2) Accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
An example of such a prayer can be:
'Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe Jesus was a sacrifice for my sin. I want to turn away from sin. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal saviour. I am willing to follow and obey Christ as the Lord of my life.'
LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN
It is by faith that we can restore our relationship with God. Jesus described this faith: 'If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it' (Luke 9.24). This verse says not to trust our selfish desires because they eventually lead to death. Jesus tells us to trust him and what he has taught, so that we can share in God's eternal kingdom.
A Christian may ask for something from God through prayer. God will give them as much as they need. Jesus stated 'I tell you to ask and you will receive' (Luke 11.9). Those who doubt when they ask may not receive what they ask for. James (servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ) explained: 'when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all.' (James 1.6-8). It is by faith that believers receive what they need.
Obedience to God is something that comes from having faith. It shows that a Christian belongs to God, and wants to resist desires that come from this world. Jesus described the most important commandments: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself." All the Law of Moses and the Book of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.' (Matthew 22.37-40). There is no need to worry about trying to obey every single law if you can follow those commandments.
There are traps that lead people astray when living the Christian life. There are two extremes:
1) Because we are forgiven we can do anything we want to. This is not true as Paul said: 'Some of you say "we can do anything we want to". But I tell you that not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me.' (1 Corinthians 6.12). In this verse Paul explains how we can submit to God or our own worldly desires.
2) God accepts us because we obey his law. This statement is false as Paul explained 'if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his wonderful kindness' (Galatians 5.4). This verse also states how rituals like baptism do not qualify a person for salvation. They are rather a way of signifying a person's faith and salvation.
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The Holy Spirit refers to God's Spirit, who lives in believers. One purpose of the Holy Spirit is to guide believers towards God. With the power of the Holy Spirit a believer can turn away from their selfish desires. Paul explained the work of the Holy Spirit: 'we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those who are led by God's Spirit are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father' (Romans 8.12-15). So by the power of God's Spirit a person can live a new life that they have not known before.
MEANING OF BAPTISM
Baptism is a command from Jesus to those who believe. It's important to understand that baptism doesn't equal salvation. Rather it's a sign of identification for believers. Baptism signifies how a believer has been brought into God's kingdom. Belonging in God's kingdom happens when a person becomes a Christian. The way baptism is carried out may differ from each church.
BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION IN JESUS CHRIST
For those who believe, it's important to build a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Be prepared to face trials and temptations. A solid foundation in Jesus will help you to endure trials and resist temptations. Jesus explained: 'Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it didn't fall, because it was built on solid rock.' (Matthew 7.24-25).
The following provides some ways to build a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Doing as much as you can will aid your growth as a Christian.
Attend church
This is a great way to grow in your faith. For example, we can be glad by acknowledging there is no one else like God. Knowing this fact makes us joyful, because believers are his people. It says in Psalms 100.3: 'You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture'.
Read the Bible
This contributes to our understanding of God and his kingdom. The Bible is the word of God. It explains so many things that help us grow in faith. Paul told Timothy (apostolic representative): 'Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds.' (2 Timothy 3.15-17).
Pray
Pray to God that he will help you grow as a Christian, as well as build a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Asking others to pray for you will also be beneficial.
Fellowship
Being around those who share in God's kingdom reinforces our faith. People can encourage each other in their journey.
Be accountable to someone
It is helpful to share trials and temptations with someone. You can pray and help each other.
Tell others about Christianity
This is about actively seeking to tell people about God's kingdom. It also includes responding to comments or relevant situations. Doing this demonstrates our faith and love for others.
LIFE AFTER DEATH FOR BELIEVERS
Our sin means we can never completely obey the law. The ultimate penalty for not doing so is death. This is the curse of the law. But it's important to remember without sin we do not need the law, and are not under its control. This is what life will be like after believers die, and are then raised to life.
A Christian has everlasting life. It is said in Revelation what it will be like after death for those who believe: 'God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone for ever.' (Revelation 21.3-4). Our creator is the only one who can take away pain and suffering.
INTERPRETING THE BIBLE
Verses in the Bible can sometimes be taken out of context. In general, keep in mind who particular verses are directed to. For example, is it meant for non-Christians or Christians? More specifically, it's important to distinguish between verse 'signification' and 'significance'. Signification refers to what the text signified to its original audience. Significance involves what meaning it has for us today.
END NOTE
Being a Christian is everlasting and there is much to look forward to! You can take it slow or fast, just do what you can. It isn't about what you achieve. It's about the fact that Jesus loves us and even died for our sake.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Simon Rose by email at srose210@hotmail.com. Depending on the topic your email could be passed onto John Kidson (former university Chaplain).
PERSONAL TESTIMONIES
Perfect love: this testimony looks at the new course Simon takes in life by becoming a Christian, and the difference he notices coming from a non-Christian background.
When I first understood grace: Andrew grew up in a Christian family and describes his realisation that Christ is the answer.
DOWNLOAD ARTICLE AND TESTIMONIES
To download the article and testimonies in a PDF document for printing or sending onto others please click here (212KB). In order to view the PDF document you will need Adober Reader which can be downloaded via the Adobe website.
CHRISTIAN LINKS
Christianity.net.au
Making sense of Christianity for those who are not familiar with what it's all about, developed by the Sydney Anglicans Network.
Book Review - The Divine Library (a.k.a. The Bible)
Brief review of what the Bible is all about and what relevance it has for us today.
No fear in love
Examines the meaning of God's love and how it affects humans. Also looks at why suffering occurs today in the world.
Wordly Thinking in Prosperity Teaching
A Christian reflection on the flaws of prosperity teaching.
Does the Bible agree with Mormonism?
Presents Bible verses in comparison of Mormon doctrine and statements by leaders of the Mormon Church. Provides evidence that Mormonism is based on false teaching.
Sex before marriage? :: abstinence works!
Provides a series of reasons why one should avoid sex before marriage. Also includes facts on the effects of sex before marriage as well as links to helpful resources.
Sex abstinence: the bottle of wine
In-depth reflection on why it is best to avoid sex before marriage.
Copyright © 2007 Simon Rose.
Scripture Quotations are from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) © American Bible Society 1991, 1995.
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