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What does the Bible say about becoming a christian?

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The Bible teaches that becoming a Christian is God’s gracious work of saving sinners through faith in Jesus Christ, bringing them into new life and reconciliation with him. All people have sinned and deserve death, yet God showed his love by sending Christ to die for us (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23). Salvation is not earned by good works but received as God’s gift through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus teaches that we must be born again (John 3:3), and those who receive him and believe in his name become God’s children (John 1:12). Whoever trusts Christ has eternal life, while confession of him as risen Lord expresses genuine faith (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 12 votes

    Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

  • John 3:16 9 votes

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • Ephesians 2:8-9 8 votes

    [8] for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, that no one would boast.

  • Romans 5:8 8 votes

    But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

  • John 3:3 7 votes

    Jesus answered him, "Most assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God."

  • John 1:12 7 votes

    But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:

  • Romans 10:9 7 votes

    that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

  • John 3:36 6 votes

    One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

  • Romans 6:23 5 votes

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Romans 3:23 5 votes

    for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

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