What Is A Christian? A Quick Look At Some Numbers

What Does Being A Christian Really Mean? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV) - 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Dont All Roads Lead To God? Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Its Whats Inside That Counts #1 A Person May Pray And Still Not Really Be A Christian Stood and prayed thus with himself – Luke 18:11 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18, KJV

Its Whats Inside That Counts #2 A Person May Make Some Visible Changes In Life, And Yet Still Not Be A Christian Acts 8:9-13 (NLT) A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as the Great Onethe Power of God. They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. But now the people believed Philips message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. Acts 8:17-24 (NLT) Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. Let me have this power, too, he exclaimed, so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit! But Peter replied, May your money be destroyed with you for thinking Gods gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin. Pray to the Lord for me, Simon exclaimed, that these terrible things youve said wont happen to me! Matthew 14:1-11 (NLT) When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles. For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herods brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, It is against Gods law for you to marry her. Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodiass daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mothers urging, the girl said, I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray! Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

Its Whats Inside That Counts #3 You can Live A Good Life, Be Religious And Even To The Best Of Your Ability Even Keep The Ten Commandments And Still Not Necessarily Be A Christian Matthew 19:16-20 (NLT) Someone came to Jesus with this question: Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? Why ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. There is only One who is good. But to answer your questionif you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments. Which ones? the man asked. And Jesus replied: You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. Ive obeyed all these commandments, the young man replied. What else must I do?

Who Then Is A Christian? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Acts 16:31 Acts 2:19

The Essential Elements of Belief #1 Realize That You Are A Sinner Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

The Essential Elements of Belief #1 Realize That You Are A Sinner #2 Repent Of Your Sins Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2 Unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:5 NIV God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

The Essential Elements of Belief #1 Realize That You Are A Sinner #2 Repent Of Your Sins #3 Believe In And Receive Jesus Christ Into Your Life But as many as received Him – Jesus – to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:13 For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Him should not perish. John 3:16

The Essential Elements of Belief #1 Realize That You Are A Sinner #2 Repent Of Your Sins #3 Believe In And Receive Jesus Christ Into Your Life #4 Do It Now! Now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2