SHARING THE GOSPEL
Questions, Questions
INTRODUCTION
When a person becomes a Christian people notice. Every person who becomes a Christian gets a variety of different responses from all those round about.
Some are genuinely pleased, even if they don’t completely understand it. Some are resentful, some are even plain angry. This response always surprises the new Christian.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE BE ANGRY WITH ME FOR BECOMING A CHRISTIAN?
The reason for this is that the other person regards it as an implied criticism of them. They never saw the need to take the step, some have, and hence they consider it to be a statement of some shortfall in them.
Others are interested in what a Christian has done because they sense in their own lives a lack. They do not have this relationship with God that Christians have, and they are interested to learn more about it.
Although some people have learned enough to become a Christians, there may be the feeling that perhaps if you ever become a Christian, you wouldn’t be quite sure how to show it with other people. But other people will want to know.
WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE BAPTISED?
WHY BAPTISM?
WHY THIS CHURCH OF CHRIST?
In fact, as a new Christian, they are presented with many new opportunities to share the great gospel they have found with other people.
BUT WHAT DO YOU SAY?
HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
WHERE WERE THOSE PASSAGES I WAS SHOWN AGAIN?
How To Become A Christian
The purpose of this lesson is to make a simple survey of what the New Testament has to say about how to become a Christian so that the new Christian knows where to go to show others from the New Testament how to take that step too.
WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
1. Note the two things that Jesus says about becoming a Christian, Matthew 18:1-3. It involves turning. Turning away from sin and turning towards God. And it involves becoming like children.
WHAT DID JESUS MEAN BY THIS?
Perhaps His statements to Nicodemus will shed more light.
2. Today we hear much about ‘born-again Christians’. The Scripture knows of no other kind. If one is to become a Christian it must be by being born again. If one is born again, then one is a Christian, John 3:3-5.
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?
Jesus explains, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’
Stages Of Conversion
One needs to be born of the water (be baptized into Christ) and be born of the Spirit (receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) at one’s baptism. It is by the indwelling Spirit of God that life is brought, and Christians are brought from death to life through the Gospel.
3. We note the teaching of Jesus as He gives the Great Commission to His apostles.
Note the three stages mentioned in this conversion. First of all, they are to become disciples (learners and followers) of Jesus. Secondly, they are to be baptized into Christ. Thirdly they are to continue to be taught all the teachings of Jesus so that they can implement them in their lives, Matthew 28:18-20.
4. In Mark’s account of the Great Commission we see a simplified statement made by Jesus.
The whole world is to be preached to. And those who believe and respond to the Gospel by being baptised will be saved, Mark 16:15-16.
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
HOW DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT SAY THAT WE CAN BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
5. People are saved by hearing the Gospel Romans 10:13-14. It is not by some direct operation of the Holy Spirit intervening, but by the preaching of the simple Gospel.
Necessary Steps For Salvation
6. Those who are in Christ have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ, Ephesians 2:13. The ‘in Christ’ people are in the church. It follows that in the church we are brought near to God.
7. It is by believing in Jesus that we are saved, John 3:16 / John 8:24. Indeed, Jesus says that unless we believe in Him, we cannot be saved.
8. The Bible speaks about the necessity of repentance, Luke 13:3 / Acts 3:19. Repenting means to turn away from sin, and turn towards God. It does not simply mean to feel regret, but it is a firm decision of the will to live for God and not self.
It’s Not Possible To Be A Secret Christian
9. Christians need to acknowledge Christ before men. The New Testament calls this confessing Christ. This is different from confessing sin; it is publicly acknowledging that we believe in Jesus.
Note how the New Testament links this with salvation. It is not possible to be a secret Christian.
10. We are to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, Acts 2:38. Note how baptism is linked here with getting into Christ, uniting with Christ to be cleansed by His blood, and hence receive the forgiveness of sins, Galatians 3:26-27.
CONVERSION EXAMPLES
There are different views about how one should become a Christian. One person says one thing and another something completely different. We have just studied passages from the New Testament, which seems to clearly outline the method by which people become Christians.
It is interesting to read through the Book of Acts to notice examples of people becoming converted having heard the preaching of the apostles. We might call the Book of Acts the Book of conversions.
As part of your study this week, take time to read each of the conversion accounts mentioned on the back page and put a + or a – in the appropriate column when that action is present or not. It should be clear that in some passages, belief is not specifically mentioned but perhaps implied. Likewise, in some others repentance is not specifically mentioned but implied.
Hence the clearest way to understand the process of conversion is to sum up all that we learn from all of the above passages. We can think about the conversion process as a five-step plan.
Although as Christians grow in Christ they learn to appreciate the gospel plan much more and understand more deeply the implications of each step, this is perhaps an easy way for Christians to remember it initially.
When you have followed that 5-step plan, it will not be difficult for you to explain it to others.
CONCLUSION
Christians know that they have found a great treasure in the Gospel of Christ. In obedience to that Gospel Christians have found the unsurpassable blessing of forgiveness of sins, adoption into God’s family, inner peace knowing that you are at one with God, joy in realising your salvation in Christ, and the hope of heaven.
It is natural for Christians to want to share those blessings with others. The above plan of salvation is what you will want to share. If you become a Christian and you want to share the Gospel with others and you feel a little uncertain, why not get the assistance of some other Christians.
Do what Cornelius did and invite others to come over and listen and invite one of your brothers or sisters in Christ over to help you share the good news with them.
Or step out in faith and share the simple gospel yourself. God will bless you for loving them enough to share the Gospel, and you will grow each time you do so.
SENDING YOUR ANSWERS
Please proceed and fill in the evaluation sheet below with your answers. Thank you and God bless your studies.
