A BIBLE CHRISTIAN


A. A ROYAL PRIVILEGE
  1. To be identified with Christ: It meant much to the martyrs for Christ - Rev. 2:1-6
  2. There is much in a name:
    1. It indicates relationship - Acts 11:26
    2. It reveals attitude - Acts 24:14, 21-23
    3. It stands for service - 1 Cor. 1:17-19
B. QUALIFYING TO BE A CHRISTIAN
  1. Accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour:
    1. The man from Ethiopia - Acts 8:37-40
    2. Paul - 1 Tim. 1:15; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:20
  2. Confessing the Lord Jesus in word and deed:
    1. 1 John 4:1-3; Rom. 10:10
    2. Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:10
  3. Become loyal disciples of the Lord Jesus: John 8:31; Matt. 10:14
    1. That takes self-denial on our part - Matt. 16:24; Mark 14:31
    2. Bearing our own cross - Matt. 10:38; Luke 14:27
    3. This is one of the severest tests to the discipleship of a Christian; but Paul was glad to bear the marks of Christ in his body - Gal. 5:11; 6:12
  4. Doing all the Lord commands us is still another requirement for a Bible Christian:
    1. "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46
    2. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" - John 8:31
    3. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." - Rom. 2:13
    4. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - Jas. 1:22-25
C. BLESSINGS OF BEING A BIBLE CHRISTIAN
  1. It brings to the believer complete salvation from sin:
    1. Matt. 1:21; Rom. 8:1, 31-33
    2. 1 Tim. 1:15; Luke 23:42-44; Luke 19:9; Acts 8:37-39
  2. Makes us fellow heirs with Christ:
    1. Of all God's wonderful promises - 2 Pet. 1:2-7
    2. Eph. 1:22, 23
  3. Glorious and eternal victory over all our enemies:
    1. Satan - Rom. 16:20; Ezek. 28:18
    2. Sin and death - 1 Cor. 15:26; 50-58; Heb. 2:14-16
  4. It gives a part in the resurrection of the Just: Luke 14:14
  5. And it will give us immortality:
    1. John 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12
    2. Rom. 6:23; Mark 10:28-30; John 6:54; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15, 16
  6. The gift of the Holy Ghost: Acts 2:37-39; 19:1-3
  7. Why are you not a Christian? This is no idle question, but very proper and very challenging to all who hesitate of being Christians.
  8. Let us note some of the excuses by people for not being Christians:
    1. "I am waiting until I am strong enough to be a Christian". Christ's answer -- "without me ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
    2. "I am just not ready to be a Christian." The Bible answer -- "Now is the accepted time." - 2 Cor. 6:1- 3
    3. "It is too hard to be a Christian." The Saviour's answer -- "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" - Matt. 11:30
    4. "There are too many hypocrites in the church and I do not choose to be another one." Our Lord's answer, "why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" - Matt. 7:1-4


Design © John Bryant 2011