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As You "Investigate The Truth"
Why Be A Christian
?
What an important question! The answer to that question
is important to you, and to everyone you know. It concerns your happiness
during your life on earth, and for life after death. Why be a Christian,
is a Bible question, and therefore, you can have a Bible answer. We find
the name of "Christian" three times in the New Testament. Please
write these scriptures down and then read them in your own Bible.
First, open your New Testament to the book of "Acts
of Apostles" Chapter 11, verse 26. The last part of this verse says:
"The disciples were called Christians, first at Antioch."
The second time we find the name Christian is in the
same New Testament book, "Acts of Apostles" Chapter 26, verse
28. The Apostle Paul was given an opportunity to speak before King Agrippa,
and tell why he was a believer in Jesus. At the conclusion of his speech,
King Agrippa said, "almost thou persuade me to be a Christian".
The Apostle Peter gives us some very direct instructions
formed in his first letter, I Peter, Chapter 4, verse 16. First he warns
us not to be a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a busy-body in
other peoples business. (This is in verse 15). Following these statements
he says: "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed;
but let him glorify God on this behalf".
The name "Christian" is divided into two parts
- Christ and "ian". It means belonging to Christ. Therefore,
when we wear the name Christian, we are wearing Christ's name and we tell
the world we belong to Christ.
The name of Christ is the only name we are to wear, and
whereby we can be saved. Write down this Scripture: "Acts of Apostles"
Chapter 4, verse 12. Please listen while I quote it. "Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men whereby we must be saved." Christians are members of the
"Body of Christ" Ephesians 5: 30. In this same chapter Paul speaks
of the Church and Christ, husband and wife, and Christians and Christ.
Christians are followers of Christ, and he loved us so much, that he gave
his life for us. (See Chapter 5, verse 2) When one considers becoming a
member of any group, organization, or club, one thinks about the advantages,
or rewards of such action. One must also find out how to qualify, or what
steps are necessary, to become a member of the group. This is also true
when one considers becoming a follower of Christ. There certainly are advantages,
and rewards, when one becomes a Christian, and lives by the Lord's teachings.
To qualify for the advantages, and be entitled to the
rewards, one must take certain steps to become a member of the Lord's family.
The second Chapter of Acts gives an example of about 3000 people becoming
Christians. I suggest you read this entire chapter, and as you read, keep
thinking about following the same steps the Apostle Peter outlined for
these penitent believers, who wanted to know what they must do to be saved.
When you complete the reading of Acts Chapter 2, you
will find that God added these people to His church. You will also realize,
that these people had been forgiven of their past sins.
Now we are beginning to see part of the answer to: "Why
Be A Christian". The first blessing I think about as to why I am a
Christian is: I have been forgiven of my past sins! What a great feeling
of relief to know my sins have been taken away! As a Christian I have the
privilege of prayer. I can ask God to help me with every problem, and know
He will answer. As a Christian my aim is living to please God. When I do
this, I know I have the promise of a life, which will be better here on
earth, and eternal life here after. Life is too short, and eternity too
long for one to choose any other course. To become a Christian and live
by the teachings of Christ is to live successfully. To neglect the great
salvation offered to us is to fail in our mission on earth. Jesus came
to earth to redeem us from sin. He died for us that we might live. He has
gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven. If we obey Him he will come again
for us that we might be with Him eternally! This is why you should be a
Christian!
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