What the Bible says about Becoming a Christian and the Church
What the Bible Says about Becoming a Christian
1. All Scripture must be understood in the context of COVENANT.
A. A covenant is a or or
Romans 1:2 This Good News was promised long ago by God's prophets in the Old Testament.
2 Kings 11:17 Jehoiada made a treaty between the Lord, the king, and the people, that they would be the Lord's people.
Luke 22:20 ...Jesus said, "This cup is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This new agreement begins with my blood which is poured out for you.
B. A "covenant" has 1) PARTIES 2) TERMS 3) PROMISES:
The PARTIES are those committed to and bound by the covenant. Genesis 17:7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
2 Peter 1:10 So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen, and then you will never stumble or fall away.
The TERMS are the expectations (what the parties are to do).
Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."
The PROMISES are the rewards to the parties for keeping the terms. Hebrews 8:6 But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
C. Salvation through Jesus is also part of a . Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
D. Faith in God means confidence in his
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
2. Our Salvation depends upon God's FAITHFULNESS to His covenant.
A. "While we were still , Christ for us."
Romans 5:6-11 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
B. "He is able to completely those who come to Him."
Hebrews 7:25 He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
C. "He who promised is ."
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
3. Our Salvation depends upon our ENTERING the covenant.
A. We must make the choice
Acts 2:39-40 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
B. God wishes that everyone would choose to .
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
4.We enter covenant by 5 inter-related actions.
A. the gospel message.
1. Romans 10:17 "faith comes by hearing."
2. Acts 2:37 "and when the people heard this, they..."
3. John 20:30-31 "these things were written that you may believe..."
4. Acts 11:14 "he will bring you a message through which you will be saved."
B. that Jesus is Lord.
1. Romans 10:17 " faith comes by hearing...about Christ."
2. John 3:16 "that whosoever believes in Him..."
3. Acts 8:36-38 "Look, here is water. What prevents my being baptized?"
Philip said. "If you believe you may..."
4. Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."
C. ("Give in" to God)
1. Luke 13:3 "Unless you repent you too will all perish."
2. Acts 2:38 and Peter said, "repent and be baptized..."
3. 2 Peter 3:9 "God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance."
D. or that Jesus is Lord.
1. Romans 10:9-10 "that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord"
and believe in your heart, you will be saved."
3. Philippians 2:11 "and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."
2. Matthew 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also
acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven."
E. Be (immersed in water) as a PLEDGE.
1. Matthew 28:18-20 "Go...make disciples, baptizing them and..."
2. Acts 2:38 and Peter said, "repent and be baptized..."
3. Acts 22:16 "Get Up, be baptized and wash your sins away."
4. John 3:5 "Born of water and the Spirit."
5. Galatians 3:27 you who were baptized... have clothed yourselves with Christ.
6. Romans 6:4-6 "We were buried with Christ through baptism."
7. 1 Peter 3:21 "... baptism...saves you... the pledge of a good conscience to God.
8. Mark 16:16 "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."
5. We must keep our PLEDGE to serve Christ.
A. Revelations 2:10 "be faithful even unto death and I will give you the crown of Life.”
What the Bible Says about the Church
A. Ephesians 1:22-23 And God has put all things under his feet and made him the supreme Head of the Church-- which is his body, filled with himself, the Author and Giver of everything everywhere.
B. Matthew 16:16-18 (Jesus) "On this rock I will build my church."
C. Romans 16:16 "The churches of Christ ...."
2. The church is the continuation of in History.
A. 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
3. The Church is to be God's agent for
1 Timothy 3:15 "...the church, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
4. KOINONIA(Greek word): The church should exhibit .
1 John 1:3-4 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
A. Fellowship = the inter-penetration of personality without the loss of individuality.
A Logical type
•
Relational oriented F • • B Soft-hearted
Task oriented type E • • C Extroverted
•
D Conciliator type
This exercise demonstrates two extremely valuable components of fellowship in the church. To accomplish the exercise, draw a line from point A (the logical type person) to points B through F, each representing a different personality type of Christian within the church. In fellowship, as each person interacts with the others, the positive attributes and strengths of each person is shared with the other. In other words, in fellowship, the logical type person learns to be a little more soft-hearted, a little more extroverted, a little more of a conciliator, etc. There are far more attributes than those listed in the diagram. They are merely there to illustrate the point. So the connection of members to one another helps us to become more like Christ through fellowship. Continue the exercise until each point (A through F) has been connected to each of the others. So the first component of fellowship illustrated here is that each individual person is able to become more like Christ because of his / her connection to others.
When you have completed the lines, you will notice that all of the connecting lines together picture a diamond. This is an illustration of the second major component of Christian fellowship. It is the connected body as a whole which truly represents Jesus Christ to the world. No individual alone can adequately represent Christ to the world, but as we come together in fellowship, all of Christ's wonderful attributes can be displayed for the world to see. We truly need one another!
5. The church has "structure".
A. : Ephesians 4:15 "the head, that is Christ."
B. : Ephesians 4:11-12 It was he(Christ) who gave...some to be pastors and
teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service...
Two other words for pastors: and .
Titus 1:5 (NIV) The reason I left you in Crete was that you might ... appoint elders in every town.
Philippians 1:1 ... To all the saints ... at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.
C. Other "ministries" or services:
Romans 12:4-8 Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can--as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.
A. the gospel: Romans 10:17 "Faith comes from hearing."
B. the message: Romans 10:9-10 with your heart you believe and are justified.
C. : Acts 2:38 "and when they heard this they were cut to the heart and
asked, "What shall we do?" Peter replied, "repent and be baptized
for the forgiveness of sins."
D. Jesus is Lord Matthew 10:32 Whoever acknowledges me before men,
I will also acknowledge him.
E. Acts 2:38; "repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins."
1 Peter 3:21 "baptism that now saves you also, not
the removal of dirt..., but the pledge toward God"
7. Wayward Members are to be Disciplined
A. If it is a serious sin: .
1 Corinthians 5:13 "Expel the wicked man from among you."
2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to teach you, and he doesn't believe what Christ taught, don't even invite him into your home. Don't encourage him in any way.
B. If not so serious: with patience
Galatians 6:1 If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
A matter is "serious" if its continuation would destroy a local church. It is a minor matter if it simply embarrasses a church. It is a sin in either case but the reaction of the church is different.
A. As to the non-member:
The Ministry of .
2 Corinthians 5:18 ...God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
B. As to the member:
Help the person in character.
Colossians 1:28 So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature person in Christ.