The Gospel
Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, the world, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.
What it means to be a Christian:
God Is Sovereign CreatorExclusively Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent, God is sovereign over all things and is preeminent in power, wisdom, and authority. God's sovereignty means that He is sovereignly providential over the universe, the world, and mankind; to include mankind's salvation. Therefore, as He owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19), God has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is HolyGod is absolutely, entirely, eternally, and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3). Therefore, He cannot commit nor approve of evil (James 1:13) and requires holiness of His people. " You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1st Peter 1:16)
Mankind Is SinfulAccording to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That does not mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we are utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a PenaltyGod's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That is why simply changing our patterns of behavior cannot solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and SaviorRomans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the righteous demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the righteous demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21); thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving FaithTrue faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It is not enough to believe certain facts about Christ - even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19) - but they do not love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
God Is HolyGod is absolutely, entirely, eternally, and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3). Therefore, He cannot commit nor approve of evil (James 1:13) and requires holiness of His people. " You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1st Peter 1:16)
Mankind Is SinfulAccording to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That does not mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we are utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a PenaltyGod's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That is why simply changing our patterns of behavior cannot solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and SaviorRomans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the righteous demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the righteous demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21); thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving FaithTrue faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It is not enough to believe certain facts about Christ - even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19) - but they do not love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).