Christianity (from the word Christ) is centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as stated in the Bible.
Followers of Christ are known as Christians. We believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God that was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. Christians believe Jesus Christ is the revealer of God, as well as an incarnation of God, and more importantly the savior of humanity who suffered, died, and was resurrected to bring about salvation from sin. After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He ascended into Heaven, and will return to judge humanity, granting everlasting life to those that have faith and is obedient to His Word.
Christianity is not about a religion. It’s about having a relationship with the living Christ… This includes loving God, fearing Him, and obeying His Word. As a Christian (and/or to be Saved), one must accept Jesus as their personal Savior, repent of their sin, and be Baptized.
ACCEPTING CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR
The first step to becoming a Christian (being Saved, etc.) is accepting Christ as your personal Savior. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-13).
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
REPENTING OF SIN
To sin is to transgress God’s Law. In other words, to go against God’s Word. (1 John 3:4). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sins separate us from the Lord (Isaiah 59:1-2) In addition, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Repentence is turning away from sin. It is giving up the love of sin. It is setting aside our affections for everything that we know is wrong in our lives. Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
BAPTISM
Christian Baptism, according to the Bible, is an outward (or public) testimony of what has occurred inwardly in the believer’s life. Christian Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The spiritual Baptism occurs when we accept Christ as our Savior and repent of our sins. The water (public) Baptism is the action of being immersed in the water. When we’re immersed (or go down in the water) it symbolizes dying and being buried with Christ… The action of coming out of the water symbolizes Christ’s resurrection.
The process occurs by you standing, sitting, or kneeling in water. Another Christian then lowers you under the water and then brings you back up out of the water.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:1-7).
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
