While studying the Bible, you may have asked yourself, "What must I do to become a Christian?" or "What must I do to be saved?" Thankfully, these questions have been answered. (Acts 2:37).

Man's Lost Condition

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) God created everything in the world, including mankind (Adam and Eve). He gave dominion to mankind over His creation (Genesis 1:26). Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2:16-17). Satan tempted Eve and when she looked upon the fruit, she desired it. She ate of the fruit and also gave to her husband (Genesis 3:6-7). Adam and Eve's sin caused spiritual death and separated them from God. (Isaiah 59:2) The New Testament teaches that we all sin, just as Adam and Eve did. (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12-14)

Salvation in Jesus

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The apostles boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the only way to have salvation, “there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the lost. (John 3:16-17, Luke 19:10)

We can not be saved by the creeds or teachings of men. (Matthew 15:9) The gospel, as it was delivered by the apostles in the New Testament, is complete and final. (Galatians 1:6-9) Everything we need related to teaching and salvation is found in God's Word. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

What must I do to be saved?

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." This passage describes both God's part and man's part for salvation. God has given us the gift of salvation by sending His only begotten Son (John 3:16). We, as mankind, are saved by grace, through faith.

Following the New Testament pattern, to become a New Testament Christian and obtain the salvation as promised by God, one must:

1. Hear the Word of God. We must be taught the word of God and the good news of Jesus. (Romans 10:17, John 5:24)

2. Believe the Word of God. Belief in God's Word produces faith. (Romans 10:17) We will die in our sins if we don't believe, (John 8:24) but belief alone does not save. (James 2:19, James 2:24). We must follow God's commands. (Matthew 7:21)

3. Repent of our Sins. Sin is any transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4) and it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Hearing and believing in God's word produces faith, which leads to godly sorrow. (2 Corinthians 7:10) We can not be saved without repentance. (Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30-31)

4. Confess that Jesus is the Son of God. Romans 10:9 says "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." We must publicly confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, just as the eunuch did in Acts 8:37.

5. Be Baptized into Christ. Acts 2:38 says to "...repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Baptism bring us into contact with the blood of Christ (Romans 6:3) and washes away our sins (Acts 22:16). Romans 10:13 says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" and Acts 22:16 tells us how we call on the name of the Lord (arise and be baptized).

Why is baptism important?

6. Be Faithful and Grow as a Christian. Baptism is not the end, it's the beginning. After becoming a Christian, we're commanded to be faithful (1 Corinthians 15:58) and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

After I become a Christian, then what?

Once you've been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-6), the Bible tells us that the Lord adds you to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Christ's Church

The name 'church of Christ' is important. It's identity is traced back to Matthew 16:18 where Jesus Himself declares that He would build His church. He based this declaration upon Peter's statement that Jesus was the Son of God. (Matthew 16:13-19) The church of Christ does not follow a creed. We strive to do Bible things in Bible ways, seeking His authority in all things. (Colossians 3:17)

Becoming a Christian is just the beginning and means you have given your life over to God and you now live for Christ. (Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

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