Am I Ready To Become A Christian? 1

Have you been thinking about being baptized? Don’t I need to be baptized? What will others think? Will I go to hell if I haven’t been baptized? 2

Many young people who are thinking about being baptized often feel nervous and anxious – this is normal Deciding whether or not to be baptized is a very serious matter 3

Maturity - knowledge – sincerity Baptism is the point where a sinner transforms into a CHRISTIAN Before becoming a Christian there are several things you should know and understand 4

I. God’s Love God loves you – God loves everyone Jn. 3:16 “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.” 5

Lk. 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 6

Eph. 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 7

God would never condemn a young person to hell who isn’t old enough to be baptized However – those who truly understand they are lost need to be baptized 8

II. God’s Plan In becoming a Christian, baptism is the point in the plan of salvation at which the sinner becomes a Christian There is a purpose and meaning to baptism 9

Mk. 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 10

What must one believe? A sinner must believe the gospel - -- which is the good news about Jesus’ death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection We must believe in the power of Christ to cleanse us of sin when we are baptized 11

Why did Jesus have to die? Because of sin When we sin we are guilty before God and deserve punishment HOWEVER – Jesus’ sacrifice took the place of the punishment we should have received 12

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, 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. 13

Repent – what does it mean? It is decision to put away sin in your life It is a change of heart or mind which leads to a change in the way you live 14

Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Confession 15

What do we confess? Our firm belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God 16

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III. God’s Demands Baptism is the point in one’s life when he or she begins anew It means that you must understand that your life will be different 18

Instead of committing sin and doing what we want to do, we do what Christ wants us to do A Christian is one who belongs to Christ 19

Lk. 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 20

We now have the responsibility to: study the Bible – be faithful in attendance – pray – fellowship with other Christians – tell others about the good news of salvation etc. 21

Applying the Lesson 22

1. At what age should one become a Christian? This age will be different from one person to the next We must obey for the right reason 23

2. How much do I need to know? Many have felt like they did not have enough Bible knowledge to become Christian In the N.T. we find that many had a limited knowledge of Scripture when they were baptized 24

The Jailer in Acts 16 25

Acts 16:30-32 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 26

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 27

Remember – Learning all of what the Bible says and means will take a lifetime of study 28

3. How will I know when I am ready? Baptism requires repentance Repentance comes from godly sorrow – one ready to be baptized will know of the sorrow in their heart 29

Do you feel a deep sense of guilt over the sins you have committed? 30

2 Cor. 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 31

2 Cor. 7:10 (NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 32

References Adapted from material by John Moore, Proclaiming Christ, Called Unto Salvation, the 29 th Annual Southwest Lectures, April