In this and the next three lessons, we will be looking at the characteristics of a true Christian. We start by asking how one becomes a Christian in the first place.
Are you actually a Christian? If you cannot answer “yes” to the following questions, then you have not yet ACTUALLY become a Christian. You need to correct this.
Have you heard the gospel of Christ which you can read in the New Testament, rather than hearing those who teach something different?
Romans 10:17, Matthew 15:9
Have you believed that Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh and he is the Son of God?
Matthew 16:16, John 20:28, 1Timothy 3:16, John 3:16
Have you repented of sin, seeing that you are a sinner and have fallen short of the glory of God?
Romans 3:23, Acts 17:30-31
Have you openly confessed faith in Christ so that it is no secret that you are a believer in him?
Romans 10:8-10, Matthew 10:32-33
Have you been baptised —immersed in water in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins by grace?
Romans 6:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16
Are you living faithful to the Lord, endeavouring to keep his commandments?
Revelation 2:10, Colossians 1:23 1John 2:5
A banana is a yellow fruit that is good for you. But that isn't all that constitutes a banana. Otherwise a lemon would be a banana, because a lemon is a yellow fruit that is good for you.
A lemon does not have all the characteristics of a banana, therefore a lemon is not a banana
Some people have some of the characteristics of a Christian, but not all the characteristics that constitute a Christian. Therefore they are not Christians.