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What does the Bible say about how to become a christian?

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The Bible teaches that becoming a Christian is God’s gracious work, received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by our good deeds. Because all have sinned, God gave his Son so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (Romans 3:23; John 3:16). We openly confess Jesus as Lord and trust in his resurrection, for salvation comes through believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth (Romans 10:9-10). Acts 2:37-38 calls hearers to repent and be baptized, and baptism is the God-given sign of union with Christ and a cleansed conscience (Acts 2:41; 1 Peter 3:21). True faith also bears fruit in obedience, following Christ as Lord (Matthew 7:21; Matthew 28:18-20).

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Acts 2:38 11 votes

    Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • Mark 16:16 9 votes

    He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

  • Romans 10:9-10 8 votes

    [9] 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. [10] For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 4 votes

    This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you-- not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

  • Matthew 7:21 4 votes

    Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

  • Acts 2:37-38 4 votes

    [37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" [38] Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • John 3:16 3 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.

  • Matthew 28:18-20 3 votes

    [18] Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] 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, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

  • Acts 2:41 3 votes

    Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

  • Romans 3:23 3 votes

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

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