Christian Dating Guide - Is there a misconception of "how to become Christian?"?

Is there a misconception of "how to become Christian?"?

Many people erroneously believe that one becomes a "Christian" by joining a church, or by water baptism, or by giving a testimony before the church. The Bible, the law book of God, clearly teaches that one must be born again (John 3). We know that no person told their parents waht eye/hair color they wanted. We do not choose our gender nor our intelligence. Neither do we choose the date that we are born into this world. So it is with the spiritual birth. Many people on Y/A Religion quote John 1:12 but do not quote verse 13, which states: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." We also read in Romans 9:16, "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." God has chosen those whom He would save (redeem) before the earth was even created (Ephesians 1). Our works cannot save us! Since faith is a work, your faith cannot save you either (1 Thess 1:3; 2 Thess 1:11)

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In the view of physical science, every observable phenomenon can be explained on the bases of the known laws of nature or laws yet to be discovered. If there is a phenomenon that we cannot understand or explain with our present state of knowledge, then we have to await future discoveries and developments. The fact that we do not understand an event or a phenomenon should drive us to seek an understanding of it. There are no mysteries in science; everything has a scientific explanation.
Exactly... God is the One who does the choosing...not us. We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God in order to believe.
You pontificated... this isn't a question... its a religious statement.
You need to throw reason out the window too.
Being a Christian means having a relationship with Christ Jesus. You are talking about salvation
Romans 10:9-13 Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Rom 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same {Lord} is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
Yes, I believe there is. Paul tells how to become a Christian, and Jesus' half brother James goes more to detail about what is expected from us once we already have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. : )
Jesus said those who believed in him were his people. I think you should try quoting HIM more if you're cherry picking from the bible. But what would I know. Not my god.
Faith is not a work Ephesians 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. You can't have faith unless God gives you the revelation of Himself. Blind faith isn't what He's after.
God's Choice or Ours? If you read Romans carefully both ideas are presented. We must have a balanced view. Yes there is a misconception, yours.. LoL. God bless you brother. You have a point and know some scriptures your homiletics just need a little work.
Correct- Also one must come to Christ John 3:16 but only after His Father allows it John 6:44 Isaiah talks about good works with out faith are like filthy rags.
No misconception on my part, but it does still leave a taste of paradox, because I became a Christian on that understanding, and now I'm an atheist. So presumably I'm a vessel destined for destruction (Romans 9) with no say in the matter.
Sounds like you are talking predestination to me. If so, yes there are some Christian Faith's that believe this. Some believe you must be "born again" or be saved, accepting Jesus in your heart. I guess its all in the interpretation, and that is why we have so many different churches and faiths.
One can attend Sunday School as a child, and then go to Confirmation class, when old enough to understand more.
If what you say is true-then Jesus died for nothing. I do understand "born again", and agree that without a spiritual birth one will never see the kingdom of God or heaven. But, I disagree that faith is a work. It is a gift from God, and is salvation to those who exercise it. God does not withhold grace to those who seek it.
There is one point that perhaps is overlooked here i will point out, No one does not join a church to "become" a christian but in Acts 27 Jesus added daily TO THE CHURCH as such as should be saved, we belong to the church "BECAUSE" we are saved not to become saved. Now lets pick on the name "Church" shall we, in Rev. 12:17 The dragon [satan] was wroth [angry] with the remnant and they are described as those who kept the commandments of God [there are 10 commandments Not just nine] and have the testamony [spirit of prophecy is the testamony of Jesus Christ see Rev.19:10] now the fourth commandment deals with The Sabbath [seventh day sabbath, sunday has never been called the sabbath or holy in all the bible] so joining the correct chruch becomes a issue does it not, find out more free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org OR www.itiswritten.com talk to me also wgr88@yahoo.com God bless
Not sure what chapters and verses you are quoting for Thessalonians but Faith is a gift from God and not a work. I do agree that salvation is a gift and not a work.
Good job. Keep fighting the good fight.
...your reference's are fine...but what's your question...? Read John Chapter #3...see what you think...
Be careful. Then what about those whom God has chosen before the earth was created and refuse to follow him or obey his commandments? Are they saved even though they blaspheme? What about Jesus' statement in Luke 7:50? "Your faith has saved you, go in peace." You can't scrape together a few verses and call it God's will or God's plan. The Bible has to be evaluated as a whole. Each person should read the Gospels and then decide for themselves. If you accept Christ: Great! If not: I hope you change your mind later.
I have been a practicing Christian since I was 8 years old. I am now 65 years old. I was never "born again"......and I have never been baptisted. Do you consider me to be headed straight for hell in spite of practicing daily the Christian principles?
1. First you have to humble yourself. John 14:15,16 “If YOU love me, YOU will observe my commandments; and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever, 2. Then you have to take in knowledge about God and Jesus Christ. John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. 3. Then you have to dedicate yourself to doing God's will (following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ). Matthew 11: 28-30 Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh YOU. Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment for YOUR souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.” 4. Then you have to do it until the end (either the end of your life or the end of the system we live in). (Matthew 10:22 And YOU will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. )
We are not "predestined" as you are referring to when you mention that "God has chosen those whom He would save (redeem) before the earth was even created". God has given man a free will to follow him or not. There are certain thing we must do in order to receive salvation. Faith alone is not enough, belief is not enough. Those that believe that and quote scripture are leaving other scriptures out. James 2: 26 " For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Belief is not enough by itself... "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 We must DO the will of the Father. That means we cannot just say, "I believe" and sit back and do nothing. That would negate the verse above. So what do we have to do? Luke 13:3 Jesus said this about the need for repentance- "...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Romans 10:10-"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Mark 16:16-"He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved...." 1 Peter 3:21-"...baptism doth also now save us - not the putting away of the filth of the flesh - but the answer of a good conscience toward God." Belief, repentence, confession AND baptism are ALL required for salvation. And we must live a faithful life because we can fall away. Revelation 2:10 -"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." And finally, we do not "join" a church to become a christian, we follow the steps outlined above and are "added to the church." Acts 2: 41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2: 47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." If we do not follow the will of God and the commandments he has set before us, we will hear.... Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
To be born again you have to A-Admit you are a sinner B-Believe Jesus is Lord and Savior C- Confess your sins Jesus will forgive you and send the Holy Spirit to live in your heart. And hope does not dissappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. (Romans5:5) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.(Romans 5:1) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we saved from God's wrath through Him. (Romans 5:9)
Unfortunately there are lots of misconceptions about what it is to be a true Christian. Our scriptures have been corupted, important things left out. The bible is best we have, but it hardly the full gospel. The only way we have the full gospel in our life is to have personal relationship with Jesus everyday. If you spend time with him everyday he will lead you all you have to do it ask. Churches are great, and if you can find one where you fit in and most of what is taught feels true in your heart then good for you. But if you never find that study on your own, and build that relationship. No one on the planet today has the full truth all you can do is your best.