Views: 2<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles\u20133<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n The word Christian<\/em> has greatly changed in meaning through the centuries. In modern usage, one may believe as little or much of the teaching of the New Testament, as long as a person lives \u201ca good moral life.\u201d While an upright life (as defined by the Bible) is an essential part of being a Christian, we must also understand the way one becomes a Christian, which we will notice later. For the moment, consider with me, by means of an acrostic, some basic elements of the conduct of a Christian in daily life:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But how does one become a Christian, a \u201cnew creation\u201d? One must hear and believe the Gospel that tells of God\u2019s love and mercy, demonstrated through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 8:24; Rom. 10:14, 17). One\u2019s faith, if genuine, will cause him to gladly confess his faith in Jesus as God\u2019s Son (Rom. 10:9\u201310) and will lead him to humbly repent of and forsake sinful behavior (Acts 2:38; 17:30). Then one must be baptized (immersed) in water for his sins to be forgiven through the blood of Christ (Mark 16:15\u201316; Acts 2:37\u201338; 22:16; Rom. 6:1\u20134). By these responses to the Gospel, one is saved from the guilt of his past sins, added to the church Jesus built (Acts 2:41\u201342, 47). Those who from that day forward thus became disciples of Jesus thereafter came to be called Christians (11:26). Eternal salvation through God\u2019s grace is thence dependent upon living a life of faithfulness to God\u2019s Word after becoming a Christian. As the numerous passages cited in the CHRISTIAN<\/em> acrostic listed above.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have you become a Christian by New Testament definition? If you have not done so, I urge you to do so immediately. If you are a brother or sister in Christ, I exhort you remain faithful to Him Who died for you.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> This article is adapted from a radio script I wrote for the Light of Life program on KPAR radio, Granbury, TX. which aired on July 3, 1980. This daily program was presented by the Granbury Church of Christ,<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 2[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles\u20133 page.] The word Christian has greatly changed in meaning through the centuries. In modern usage, one may believe as little or much of the teaching of the New Testament, as long as…<\/p>\n\n