How to Become a Christian?

I have written this book for the non-Christian. If you are a person who does not attend church or has had little to no Christian/church upbringing, then this book is for you. I have sought to eliminate any religious language that would be familiar only to Christians. While I quote extensively from the Bible, I deliberately chose not to include the Scripture references so the text does get bogged down with unfamiliar books and locations (example, 2 Chronicles 29:15).

All Bible verses are set off in quotation marks.One of the most important things I have sought to do in each chapter is get right to the point. I’m just going to say it. I’m not beating around the bush. I limited myself to just over two typed 8.5 X 11 pages per chapter. The most powerful biblical truths are simple and straightforward. I use short sentences often. Also, I say the main points of the chapters in the first few sentences. This has actually been a very challenging task.

Most of us are very wordy. I’ve also made great efforts to use simple illustrations to highlight various truths.I have intentionally chosen to use the second personal pronoun, “you,” throughout this book. I’ve written it as though I was sitting down with you one-on-one in a living room or at a kitchen table. I’ve sought to use informal language. I also highlight important truths in italics. This is deliberate.

For example, I write, “You can’t become a Christian unless you’re willing to admit that you are a sinner.” Please don’t take offense. I’m not picking on you. I’m just being direct. I want my statements to be clear. Honestly, I think this makes what I’m saying easy to understand and I don’t waste your time.The title of this book is How to Become a Christian. You can become a Christian believer by the fourth chapter. I ask that you not skip around and read only those chapters that draw your attention. It really won’t take you very long to read the entire book.

Each chapter will only take you about ten minutes.The first six chapters will deal with why man is a sinner and how to find the way out of our terrible situation. Chapters four through six are the core of the book. You should read these chapters at least two times. Starting with chapter seven, I will already take you into the depths of the Christian life. Chapters eight through ten continue to show the salvation that God has provided for mankind.

These chapters give further explanation to what happened to you in chapters four through six.Chapters eleven through sixteen provides practical instruction now that you are a Christian believer. I cover everything from water baptism to sharing your newfound faith with others. Chapters seventeen and eighteen complete the book with teaching on special topics that are of great importance to your understanding of God’s purposes.

In the last chapter, I share briefly my personal testimony of how I became a Christian.In Appendix A, I provide a short prayer of salvation with a space for you to sign and date if you’ve committed yourself to follow the Lord. There is no magic prayer that saves people. Whatever you do, pray to the Lord with a humble and sincere heart.

He listens intently to the cry of the one who desperately needs Him. God will not turn you away if you come to Him in faith and truth.Finally, I recorded nineteen videos on YouTube and our church’s website, www.teacherofthebible.com, that follow these chapters exactly. Most of these videos are about thirty minutes long. If you don’t understand something in one of the chapters of this book, you may want to watch the video. All videos begin with “How to Become a Christian,” followed by the chapter number (01-19), and then the chapter title (ex: The Holy Spirit Living in You).The last section of this book includes a few study questions for each chapter.