Christianity Explained, 5 - Believe & Accept
Here is the fifth part of the Christianity Explained study in a question-verse-answer format as described in the introduction.
Someone asks the question, and someone then reads the bible verse, ideally aloud, to then discuss the answer between them - the written answer is only read afterwards to tie together.
This in many ways is the most important and simplest part of becoming a Christian; however, all the other aspects before and after it plays an important part leading up to this point and then progressing on with afterwards.
After realising the truth about God and then the need for repentance and wanting to turn away from your old ways and sins, you're then able to become a ‘born-again’ Christian.
Question - What has Christ Been Made For Us and What Happens to Us Then?
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" - Ephesians 1:7
Christ has paid the price for us in that he became the cost for all our sins and died for this, which means it has been dealt with and we can then accept his right-standing (righteousness) with God. Therefore, our sins are forgiven, we are redeemed from our sins by his death and blood sacrifice, and by his grace receive new life.
Question - What Do You Do After Repentance?
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." - Mark 1:15
To become a Christian, we have to give up on ourselves, repent of our old ways, and believe and receive the truth of what Christ had done to receive His righteousness and right-standing before our Heavenly Father.
Question - After You Believe in Christ, What Happens Afterwards?
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," - Ephesians 1:13
At that miraculous time, a change deep inside of us occurs, and God allows His Holy Spirit to come inside us and carry out an internal change once we have truly repented and believed in Jesus Christ.
Question - What do We Then become, and What's Disappeared?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
This then causes us to become a new creation right from the very core of our being. Christ has deposited His righteousness and Word in us, and we’re now a new spiritual being before God.
Question - What Does Christ Then Give Us?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
As part of this gift of righteousness from God's grace, we then receive everlasting life which means we will be in heaven with God forever rather than simply dying and ending our earthly life through hell.
Question - How Do You Feel After Becoming a Christian?
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
Practically, you will feel a difference. This isn’t necessarily loud and crazy, but often a deep inner peace and release. This provides us with the reassurance that Jesus Christ now saves us.
Question - With Seeds Referring to the Word of God, How Often Does it Continue to Grow Inside of a Christian?
“And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." - Mark 4:27
The Word of God now dwells inside you, and just like a seed that you plant in the ground, this will blossoms even when you’re asleep and not even aware of it. We simply have to keep feeding it and not allowing non-Godly things to get in the way and hinder this growth.
Question - Through What Do We Receive God's Grace?
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" - Ephesians 2:8
We now need to walk in this faith of Christ; it’s been given to us as a free gift, meaning our human lives can be lived rightly. This will acknowledge this gift of grace and make sure we live from the simple faith of being saved by Christ just as we are.
