WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?
Being a Christian is more than identifying with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Salvation is both an event (justification) and a journey (sanctification). Consider the following truths found in the Bible:
GOD IS HOLY
God is absolutely and perfectly holy; therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil. God requires holiness of us as well. (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:13-16).
MANKIND IS SINFUL
According to Scripture, all of mankind is spiritually dead in their sin. That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we’re completely incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. We are dependent on Him. (Romans 3:10-12).
SIN DEMANDS A PENALTY
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (eternal separation from God). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences. (Romans 6:23).
JESUS PROVIDES PAYMENT FOR THAT PENALTY
Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners. Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness, thereby enabling Jesus to forgive and save (eternal life with God) those who repent of their sin and place their faith in Him. (1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
FAITH IN JESUS IS SAVING FAITH
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin, pursue Christ and obey Him. It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. True saving faith always responds in obedience. (Acts 3:18-20).
God is absolutely and perfectly holy; therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil. God requires holiness of us as well. (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:13-16).
MANKIND IS SINFUL
According to Scripture, all of mankind is spiritually dead in their sin. That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we’re completely incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. We are dependent on Him. (Romans 3:10-12).
SIN DEMANDS A PENALTY
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (eternal separation from God). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences. (Romans 6:23).
JESUS PROVIDES PAYMENT FOR THAT PENALTY
Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners. Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness, thereby enabling Jesus to forgive and save (eternal life with God) those who repent of their sin and place their faith in Him. (1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
FAITH IN JESUS IS SAVING FAITH
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin, pursue Christ and obey Him. It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. True saving faith always responds in obedience. (Acts 3:18-20).
HOW DO I BECOME A BELIEVER?
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (Romans 10:9).
TURN FROM YOUR SIN
Agree with God that you have sinned against him and ask for His forgiveness. Repentance involves a “changing of the mind” about your sin and God’s righteous standard. (Ephesians 2:1-4).
PLACE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
Trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and peace with God. (John 14:6).
BE MADE NEW
In Christ Jesus, you are made into a brand new creation through the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
WALK IN AND BEAR FRUIT
Those who are truly in Christ will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit displayed in their lives as evidence of their saving faith. (Galatians 5:22-25).
Agree with God that you have sinned against him and ask for His forgiveness. Repentance involves a “changing of the mind” about your sin and God’s righteous standard. (Ephesians 2:1-4).
PLACE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
Trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and peace with God. (John 14:6).
BE MADE NEW
In Christ Jesus, you are made into a brand new creation through the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
WALK IN AND BEAR FRUIT
Those who are truly in Christ will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit displayed in their lives as evidence of their saving faith. (Galatians 5:22-25).
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER I BECOME A BELIEVER?
BE BAPTIZED
Go public with your faith! Baptism is your first step of obedience in your walk with Christ. Baptism by immersion symbolizes Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It marks the beginning of a new life as a Christian. It is an outward symbol showing your faith in Christ. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Email [email protected] if you are interested in getting baptized.
BEGIN READING THE BIBLE
We encourage you to read God's Word daily. Visit our Resources page for recommended reading plans. You can also read the Bible online through the YouVersion Bible app. This simple, ad-free, Bible app brings God's Word into your daily life. With YouVersion, you can look up scripture references, read entire chapters or books of the Bible, search for key words, find online devotionals and reading plans, and much more.
PRAY EACH DAY
When we pray we commune with our creator (God) and we confront our enemy (the devil). As Christ-followers, we are called to support each other through prayer. We pray for healing, family, marriage, jobs, our community, our nation, our leaders, our church, problems, diseases, addictions, and war. Visit our Prayer page for resources on prayer.
ATTEND ARROWS CHURCH REGULARLY
One of the best things you can do at this point is keep coming regularly to Arrows Church. You will receive regular encouragement from God's Word, other believers, and have opportunities to serve and use your gifts and abilities.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?
Of course there is! However, we recommend you start here by doing these things. We've got a lifetime to learn more and to look more like Jesus.
Oh, we are incredibly proud of you!
Go public with your faith! Baptism is your first step of obedience in your walk with Christ. Baptism by immersion symbolizes Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It marks the beginning of a new life as a Christian. It is an outward symbol showing your faith in Christ. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Email [email protected] if you are interested in getting baptized.
BEGIN READING THE BIBLE
We encourage you to read God's Word daily. Visit our Resources page for recommended reading plans. You can also read the Bible online through the YouVersion Bible app. This simple, ad-free, Bible app brings God's Word into your daily life. With YouVersion, you can look up scripture references, read entire chapters or books of the Bible, search for key words, find online devotionals and reading plans, and much more.
PRAY EACH DAY
When we pray we commune with our creator (God) and we confront our enemy (the devil). As Christ-followers, we are called to support each other through prayer. We pray for healing, family, marriage, jobs, our community, our nation, our leaders, our church, problems, diseases, addictions, and war. Visit our Prayer page for resources on prayer.
ATTEND ARROWS CHURCH REGULARLY
One of the best things you can do at this point is keep coming regularly to Arrows Church. You will receive regular encouragement from God's Word, other believers, and have opportunities to serve and use your gifts and abilities.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?
Of course there is! However, we recommend you start here by doing these things. We've got a lifetime to learn more and to look more like Jesus.
Oh, we are incredibly proud of you!