Who is Jesus and what does it mean to become a Christian?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah (or Christ), and the Savior of humanity. We believe that Jesus, fully God and fully human, came to Earth to redeem humanity from sin and restore a relationship with God. Jesus is a historicaly verified person who walked the earth over 2000 years ago.
As Christians, we believe in Jesus
1. Divine in Nature
- Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, comprising God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.
- He is eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Spirit.
2. Incarnation
- We believe Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is called the Incarnation, where God took on human flesh.
3. Ministry
- Jesus’ earthly life included teaching, healing, performing miracles, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His teachings emphasized love, forgiveness, humility, and justice.
4. Sacrifice and Redemption
- We believe that Jesus willingly died on the cross as a perfect and sinless sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity. The Bible says this act was necessary for restoring the broken relationship between humanity and God.
5. Resurrection
- We believe that Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. The Resurrection is Jesus victory over sin and death, confirming His divine nature and promise of eternal life for believers.
6. Ascension and Second Coming
- After His Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven, where we believe He reigns as King and intercedes for believers.
- The New Testament teaches that Jesus will return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead and establish God’s eternal kingdom.
7. Role in Salvation
- Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6), and faith in Him the path to eternal life.
8. Relationship with Believers
- Jesus is not just a historical figure but a personal Savior and Lord for Christians. We seek to follow His example and teachings (though we are not perfect at it) in daily life, worship together, and in following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayerr and the Bible.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and the cornerstone of our faith.
how do I become a Christian?
Becoming a Christian involves faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, repentance of sins, and commitment to following Him. This does not mean you will never stumble again or make mistakes, but as we seek Jesus he gives us the strength to change and be more like Him. Everyone may encounter Jesus in a different way, and we recommend that you connect with a christian friend or pastor to help you along on this journey. But below is a pathway to get started along with some Bible references to guide you:
1. The good news
The good news that Jesus Christ came to save sinners through His death and resurrection. We call this the Gospel. You can Read the full gospel story in the first 4 books of the new testament. We recommend starting with Mark and John. Romans is also a great read. But here are a couple of highlights to get you started!
- John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2. Acknowledge Your Sin
Recognize that everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness. And we mean everyone!
- Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
3. Repent of Your Sins
Repentance means turning away from sin and toward God. Sometimes this seems hard and it can be a life long struggle, but the more regularly you spend time with Jesus, the more strength he gives to overcome old habits of sin. It is key to note that you don’t recieve salvation because you stop sinning. You recieve salvation by faith alone, and then we turn from our sins in response to Jesus love for us.
- Acts 3:19:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
4. Believe in Jesus Christ
Put your faith in Jesus, trusting Him as the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again.
- Romans 10:9-10:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
5. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior
Receive the free gift of salvation by surrendering your life to Jesus. Again, salvation is by faith in the work of Jesus alone. Because of His saving work, we owe him our everything as both Lord and Savior.
- Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
6. Be Baptized and Commit to Discipleship
Publicly declare your faith through baptism and live as a disciple of Christ. This step does not need to happen right away. Some believers take many years before they decide to become baptized. We believe that Baptism is an important declaration of faith. But Baptism does not save you.
- Acts 2:38:
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” - Matthew 28:19-20:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
7. Follow Jesus Daily
Live out your faith by reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and loving others.
- Luke 9:23:
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” - 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
If you feel ready, you can pray something like this:
“Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I repent of my sins and invite You into my life as my Lord and Savior. Help me to follow You all the days of my life. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer today, need more information, or have questions about Baptism. We would love to connect with you and get you plugged in at Westside where you can meet other believers and grow in your faith. Fill out one of our connection cards here and a member of our team will connect with you soon.