Why Become a Christian in this Day and Age?
According to Wikipedia, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
There are over two billion Christians around the world.
For this and many other reasons, people would like to know the history and benefits of becoming a Christian.
If you would like to be a Christian or a follower of Christ, it is essential to know the facts and learn more about the Christian religion.
To help you become a Christian, below is the history of Christianity and why being a Christian is worth it.
History of Christianity
Christian religion and the Christian church started with Jesus Christ.
According to the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Thus, Christianity is a religion built on birth, life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
They established the religion in the 1st century after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It started as a small ground in Judea, but it has spread all around the world.
Regardless of the persecution of Christians in the early days, Christianity spread quick.
It spread to Russian and Northern Europe and later throughout the world.
Currently, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
Who was Jesus Christ?
According to the New Testament of the Christian Bible, Jesus Christ was born to a Jewish mother, Mary.
Luke 2:4-7 “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
We know little about the childhood of Jesus. The Bible says he grew up in Nazareth.
When Jesus was 30 years old, He started his ministry after being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
Later, He appointed twelve disciples or apostles and traveled with them, teaching the good news and performing great miracles.
Some miracles that Jesus performed include:
*Walking on top of water:
Matthew 14:25 – Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. 26 When they saw him walking on water, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear.
*Healing a blind man Bartimaeus:
Mark 10:50-52 – So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.” 52 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once, he could see and followed Jesus on the road.
*Jesus gave life to Lazarus
John 11:43-44 – After he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 He came out, his hands and feet wrapped in grave cloths, and with a cloth around his face. “Untie him,” Jesus told them, “and let him go.”
For three years, Jesus traveled to many towns teaching and performing miracles.
Later, they arrested him, tried, and condemned to death.
The Roman governor Pontius Pilate issued the order to kill Jesus after being pressured by Jewish leaders.
The Jewish leaders alleged Jesus was guilty of blasphemy.
They crucified him in Jerusalem, and they lay His body in a tomb.
According to the New Testament, Jesus was resurrected three days after His crucifixion.
Matthew 28:5-6- The angel spoke to the women. “You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying.
Why become a Christian?
Becoming a Christian does not follow a set of rules or agree to a particular philosophy.
You need to believe, trust, and receive Jesus Christ in your heart.
John 3:16 – For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
John 1:12 – Some, however, did receive him and believed in him, so he gave them the right to become God’s children.
Below are some benefits of becoming a Christian:
1. Your sins are forgiven
To be a Christian, you must confess all your sins to Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 – But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.
To be forgiven sins is a great relief and joy since you will not continue bearing a load of guilt for the past sins.
Also, forgiveness puts your affairs right with God.
2. You get help to stop sinning
As you become a Christian, salvation does not stop at the forgiveness of sin.
You receive help to stop sinning knowingly.
Hebrews 2:18 – And now he can help those who are tempted because he himself was tempted and suffered.
Hebrews 4:15-16 – Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are but did not sin. 16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There, we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
3. The Holy Spirit Guides You
John 16:13 – When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.
The things that run into our nature include arrogance, stubbornness, demands, laziness, envy, and many sinful things.
However, when you become a follower of Christ, the Spirit teaches you to deny yourself, just like Jesus did.
4. You have Peace and Joy
When you become a Christian, you will receive peace and joy in your heart.
No one and nothing can take it away.
Romans 8:28 – We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
Psalm 23:1- The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
5. Jesus becomes your friend and mighty helper
Jesus Christ knows what it is to be a human and to be tempted.
He overcame all the temptations.
Hence, He becomes your friend and spiritual helper.
Hebrews 2:18 – And now he can help those who are tempted because he himself was tempted and suffered.
Hebrews 4:15-16 – Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. 16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There, we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
You can cast all your cares in Him, and the more you are open to Him, the closer your relationship becomes.
6. Jesus will take care of your earthly needs
According to the Bible, every earthly need for Jesus Christ’s disciples will be met.
Matthew 6:31-33 – So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ 32 (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.
7. A Stable Lifestyle
You become a stronger believer in God and the Bible when you become a Christian.
Ephesians 4:14 – Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent.
This means emotional circumstances cannot knock you out.
Also, you will learn how to go through challenging situations instead of looking for an easy way out.
8. Every day is a Challenge
Once you become a Christian, you have something to do every day.
The Bible becomes your handbook, and your mission is to find God’s will in your life.
Ephesians 2:10 – God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus, he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
9. You engage in meaningful relationships
When you become a Christian, you will find comfort and strength.
A relationship with God is the most meaningful relationship you can have.
1 John 1:7 – But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.
10. You become the light of the world
Since the evil one has taken hold of the world, things are getting darker and darker.
But through the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s greater than any evil power.
So, you can become the world’s light instead of being dragged by the evil one into the darkness.
1 John 4:4 – But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the Spirit in those who belong to the world.
John 16:33 – I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
1 John 5:4 – because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith.
Steps to become a Christian
To become a Christian, there are a few steps you need to take.
You need to believe and have faith in God.
Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Steps to Becoming a Christian
1. Believe
The first step of becoming a Christian is to believe.
You must believe that God is there, and he is a reward for those who seek him.
John 3:16 – For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
To have faith and believe in God, you need to hear and obey the word of God.
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”
2. Repent
The next step is to repent your sins.
First is to believe in God, then repentance.
Repenting sins is a change of life.
Romans 2:4 – Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind because he is trying to lead you to repent.
Once you repent your sins, God is faithful and will forgive you your sins.
Acts 3:19 – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do,
3. Confess
As a Christian, you need to confess.
James 5:16 – So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.
Repentance and confession are not just to stop sinning.
You need to do your best to make past wrongs right.
1 John 1:9 – But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing
4. Baptism
The next in becoming is to be baptized.
Acts 2:38-39 – Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For God’s promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away—all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
The change you receive through believing, repentance, confession of sin, and reading the word of God is known as being born again.
John 3:7 – Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.
It is a new life or new birth by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Last Thoughts
Becoming a Christian is being born again in Christ Jesus.
All you need is to believe God exists, repent, confess your sins, and be baptized.
Once you become a Christian, the Bible becomes a living book.
But before you became a believer of Christ, the Bible was a book of stories.
In addition, you have to fellowship with other Christians by going to church.
People who attend church have a common belief and desire to grow their relationship with Christ.