How do I become a Christian?
Our ultimate goal at White Hall Baptist Church is to exalt Jesus Christ and share the message of salvation - a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - that God offers through His Son. The following are some statements and verses that help us understand the need for salvation.
All have sinned.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
The word "sin" is defined as the transgression of divine law. It means that we have disobeyed God. The Bible clearly teaches that we have all disobeyed Him. Therefore, we fall short of His glory. We are not what God intended us to be and we do not have His approval resting upon us. Our sin has separated us from God and we need to be reconciled to Him.
There is a penalty for sin.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
We have all sinned and the result or consequences of our sin is death in all of its forms (physical, spirtual, and eternal). This is what we have earned by our sin. It refers not only to physical death, but also eternal separation from God.
However, God offers life to us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. By definition, a gift is free. Salvation cannot be earned by good works or religious ritual. It can only be received from God.
Jesus suffered the penalty for sin.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
We have all sinned and the consequences of our sin is separation from God. Our need is to be reconciled to God.
The Bible tells us God demonstrated His great love for us in the sacrifice of His Son before we ever turned to Him for salvation.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and did not deserve to take upon Himselft the penalty for sin. However, because of His great love for us, He willingly became our substitute and suffered the consequences of sin in our place. He died for us.
The sacrifice of His Son is the only payment for sin that God will accept. We can in no way earn our salvation or pay for our sins. Those who reject Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins will be separated from God throughout eternity.
We must call upon Him to be saved.
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)
We have all sinned; there is a penalty for sin; Jesus has suffered the penalty for our sin as our substitute when He died upon the cross.
However, there is something we must do. We must call upon God for salvation. The Bible says "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Calling involves repentance, which means that we are sorry for our sins and we are willing to turn from them. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, "Except you repent you will all likewise perish."
When we sincerely repent of our sins, calling upon God for forgiveness, we can have full assurance that we have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said a person must be born again to see the kingdom of God. In other words, we must receive God's gift of eternal life. This is not accomplished by doing good deeds, joining a church, or being baptized. The Bible teaches we must confess to God that we have sinned (broken His laws), and ask forgiveness for that. We then commit ourselves to living for Him. Although it is the attitude of the heart that counts, below is a suggested prayer to help guide you:
"Dear God, I am sorry for sinning against You. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins, and You raised Him from the dead. I now receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me."
If this has been your prayer, please contact us that we may rejoice with you. If you have questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact us. May God bless your life with more of His presence.
Victoriously His,
Pastor Tim Beard
Telephone: 859-623-5965