Are you wondering how to become a Christian? Let’s talk about this most important question of your life.
Who Were the First Christians?
“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).
Definition of Christian
Jesus was crucified about 30 AD. The word Christian means a follower of Christ or someone who belongs to Him because they believe in Him. You can read more about that here.
The First Mention
It didn’t take long before the Bible called believers Christians. The events in Antioch of Syria in Acts 11 happened about a dozen years (about 42 AD) after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Second Mention
The Bible referred to believers as ‘Christians’ three times in the Bible. Acts 11 was the first. The second time was later in Acts when the Apostle Paul appeared before Festus and King Agrippa II.
Paul had angered the Jews by preaching Jesus as the Christ. Paul explains their intentions:
“For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me” (Acts 26:21).
Their Motive
So, the Jews wanted these Roman authorities to deliver Paul to Jerusalem so they could kill him:
“The high priest and the elders of the Jews spoke to him (Festus) against Paul. And they begged him, asking as a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him along the way” (Acts 25:2-3).
Paul’s Message
Paul’s message was from the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament predictions about the Christ):
“That the Christ must suffer, that He would be the first who would rise from the dead, and would announce light to His own people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23).
You are Invited to Become a Christian
Paul’s Invitation to Become a Christian
Paul knew that King Agrippa was aware of the Old Testament prophecies. So, Paul asked him:
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe (Acts 26:27).”
“Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily (quickly)?” (Acts 26:28 CSB).
Agrippa’s Evasion
Agrippa’s answer was evasive; he was avoiding the truth. He already knew the evidence from the Old Testament scriptures. And that evidence determined that Jesus was the promised Christ.
“Paul said, “I pray to God that not only you, but all who hear me this day, might become not only almost, but thoroughly and altogether, what I am, except for these chains (Acts 26:29).”
The Third Mention
The third and last time the Bible referred to Christians was in a letter written by the Apostle Peter. He’s writing to believers suffering for the name of Christ. He told them they’re blessed if they do (1 Peter 4:14).
But he doesn’t want them to suffer for wrongdoing:
“Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or even as a busybody. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of it” (1 Peter 4:15-16).
Household Priority
There is evil in the world that God must judge, but because God is righteous and wants that evident, He judges Christians first.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
Peter tells believers that God will judge us first in time (during this life) and with a higher standard. But that’s part of our ultimate salvation; it keeps us from being judged along with the unbelieving world.
How are You Dressed?
God will judge unbelievers in the future when they stand before Him dressed only in their works:
“I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God. Books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to their works as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12).
How to Become a Christian
So, to answer the question, How do I become a Christian? The only shield for unbelievers is the Lord Jesus Christ. God signs our name in the Book of Life when we believe in Jesus:
“Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
“Let him who is thirsty come. Let him who desires take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
Believe in Jesus
Believing in Jesus is drink indeed. And you will never thirst again!
