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Jun 11, 2017

F.A.Q. (Frequently Avoided Questions)

 

Question:  What is the bare minimum required to be a Christian?  Does one need to believe in the trinity, virgin birth, or inerrancy of Scripture?

 

Defining the Terms . . .

  • A Christian is one who is a disciple of Jesus Christ.

“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”  Acts 11:26 

  • A disciple is one who follows.

 

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian/Disciple? . . .

 

  • To become a Christian, I respond to the invitation of God to place my faith in Christ for the forgiveness of my sin.

“No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him . . . It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.  This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by My Father.”  John 6:44,63-65

 

  • To become a Christian, I find forgiveness of sin by confessing, repenting, and believing the name of Jesus Christ.

“ . . . because if you confess with your moth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”  Romans 10:9-10

 

And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”  Acts 2:38-39

 

 

  • To be a Christian means that you are willing to lay down everything for all of who Jesus (Luke 9:57-62; Mark 10:17-31)

  

The Bottom Line . . .

  • The minimum that God requires is everything.

“And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him (Jesus).”  Luke 5:11

  • Jesus’ call is to come and die.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever saves his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:23-26