February 1, 2009

How to Become a Christian

Paul before Agrippa

As Paul was provided time to make a defense before Agrippa, he took advantage of the opportunity to teach the king and all those who were present about the gospel. When Paul asked him if he believed the Prophets, Agrippa replied, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The wording of Agrippa’s response may be different in your Bible, depending on which translation you have. Another version says, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (KJV). Regardless of which translation you use, it is plain to see that Agrippa understood Paul’s intention. He was trying to persuade the king to become a Christian.

Paul replied to the king, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29). Paul was a Christian. He wanted all those around him to also be Christians. But how does one become a Christian? We can look and see how Paul became one and learn what we must do to become such as he is.
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March 12, 2008

Belief or Disbelief?

“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

This is a pretty easy verse to understand. Jesus specifically states two things that are necessary for salvation – belief and baptism.
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October 1, 2007

The Great Conspiracy

Many people are fascinated by conspiracy theories. Some believe the attacks on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001 were a conspiracy by the U.S. government. There is the theory that we did not really land a spacecraft on the moon in 1969, but that it was staged in a secret location as part of a government conspiracy. While many of the conspiracy theories we may hear are probably not true, they are still a source of fascination for many.

What is a conspiracy? Generally, a conspiracy can be described as a secret plan by two or more persons intent on bringing harm to a person or group and/or causing the conspirators to gain power, wealth, or both. Conspirators have a goal, something they want to accomplish. This is not always apparent, of course, because it is secret. Conspirators have to hide the truth, both of their goal and their plan. But people generally will want answers or an explanation as to why certain things are happening. So they have to convince them of a lie or a partial truth. These things are generally true for conspiracies.
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July 1, 2007

Those Who Will Be Saved

Open Bible

Shortly before His ascension, Jesus gave His apostles the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). This passage succinctly tells us who it is that will be saved. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.

This order seems pretty simple. A person believes, then they are baptized, and then they are saved. Though this seems simple, many have the order wrong. They think that a person believes, then they are saved, and sometime later they are baptized. This is not what Jesus taught. He taught that those who will be saved are those who believe and are baptized.
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February 25, 2007

Crucified with Christ

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

All Christians have been “baptized into Christ” and “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3). It is in baptism that we become “united with Him in the likeness of His death” (Romans 6:5). This is when we, like Paul, are “crucified with Christ.”
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February 1, 2007

Rebaptism

From time to time, the question arises as to whether or not one who has been baptized needs to be baptized again. This is an important question to answer given the emphasis the New Testament places upon baptism. Some may be quick to point out that we do not read of a second baptism, or “rebaptism” in Scripture. But the fact that a second baptism is not mentioned does not automatically mean that the practice is unauthorized. However, since it is not specifically mentioned, we must consider certain principles to help us answer the question.
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January 5, 2007

Looking at the Big Picture

“The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160).

Considering only one verse to prove a point can be dangerous. Many verses, when taken out of context, have several plausible interpretations. But if we settle on one interpretation without considering the sum of God’s word, we can easily find ourselves with an improper understanding of God’s will. Consider the following example with reference to salvation:
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