How to be a born again Christian

To be a born-again Christian, follow these steps:

1. Confess that you are a sinner.
2. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ was sent by His Father into the world to save sinners.
4. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
5. Receive water baptism.
6. Receive baptism of the Holy Spirit.
7. Turn away from your sinful ways and begin to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as prescribed in the Bible.
8. Join a local Bible teaching church and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

These steps are derived from the book of John 3:1–18, where we encounter the conversation between Christ Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews who became very interested in Jesus and His teaching. One night, he had a meeting with Jesus to find out more about His doctrine.

During the meeting, Jesus introduced Nicodemus to the message of salvation in the following manner:

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3)

On hearing this statement, Nicodemus got puzzled and inquired from Jesus how one could possibly reenter his mother’s womb in order to be born again. In other words, the concept of being born again was new, if not strange, to Nicodemus. To answer him, Jesus said:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

From this statement, we learn that the only requirement for entering God’s kingdom is being born of water and of the Spirit.

By this statement, Jesus was referring to the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit that every believer would receive.

A puzzled Nicodemus requested that Jesus expound on the matter further. Then Jesus told him:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

Here, Jesus puts it plainly to Nicodemus that anyone intending to get eternal life after the resurrection MUST believe in the crucified and resurrected Christ, sent by God to save the world.

Now, let us take a closer look at the reasons why anyone intending to get born again should follow the 8 steps we mentioned above.

Why you should confess that you are a sinner

You should confess that you are a sinner because the Bible calls you one. This is according to Romans 3:23, which says

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

We all became sinners the moment Adam disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As a result, all creation became corrupted, and the only way of redemption was through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross. We read this in Romans 5:12, 18–19, which says

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned –” (Romans 5:12)

“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Roman 8:18-19).

In addition, according to Romans 3:10–12, the Bible teaches that no man is righteous and no one is seeking God. This is what the scripture says

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.’”

Why you should believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God

The Bible says the only way to salvation is by believing in Christ Jesus with your heart and confessing Him with your mouth. This is according to Romans 10:10, which says

“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

To those who believe, the Bible promises eternal life, while to those who do not believe, the Bible says they stand condemned. This is according to what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:16–18, which says

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus further explains the meaning of condemnation in John 3:19 by telling Nicodemus:

“And this is the condemnation: that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

Why you should believe that Jesus Christ was sent by His Father into the world to save sinners

In John 3:16, the Bible teaches that Jesus was sent by God to save the world. This scripture says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The same exhortation is found in 1 John 4:9–10, which says

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him…”

The Apostle Paul teaches the same thing in 1 Timothy 1:15, which says

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

These sentiments are also echoed in Romans 5:8, which says

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Why you should accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior

You should accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior because He is the only way to salvation. We read this in John 14:6 as follows:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.’”

The Apostle Paul echoes similar sentiments in Romans 10:11–13, which says

“For the Scriptures say, ‘whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’”

The Apostle Peter emphasized this point in the book of Acts 4:10–12, which says:

“Let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders and has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

According to these scriptures, only the name of Jesus Christ can save us.

Why you should receive water baptism

Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to baptize all believers who would receive Him as their Lord and Savior. This instruction was given before He was taken up into heaven. We read this in the book of Matthew 28:19, which says

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

We see the disciples implementing this command in several scriptures, including the following:

Acts 8:12–16, that says

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”

Acts 8:36–38, that says

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Then Philip said, ‘if you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.’’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”

Acts 10:47–48, that says

“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

Why you should receive baptism of the Holy Spirit

Baptism by the Holy Spirit is in accordance with the promise that Jesus gave His disciples in John 14:15–17, which says

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit OF Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples who were gathered together in Jerusalem. We read this in the book of Acts 2:1–4 as follows:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all of one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.”

In the book of Acts 10:44, we find an account of how the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles who had believed after the Apostle Peter had preached to them. This is what the scripture says

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD BEEN POURED OUT ON THE GENTILES ALSO. They heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”

We find a similar account in Acts 11:15, which says

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘JOHN INDEED BAPTIZED WITH WATER, BUT YOU SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.’”

In Acts 19:5–6, we also see the Apostle Paul laying hands on those who believed, and they received the Holy Spirit. This is what the scripture says

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

In Acts 8:14–15, we get another account of how the Holy Spirit came upon believers in Samaria. This is what it says:

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet, He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13, as follows:

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

If you desire to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, ask God in faith, and your request will be granted in God’s timing. This is in accordance with the words of Jesus found in Luke 11:9–10, 13, which say:

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

So, I encourage you to ask, and ask in faith without doubting, and you will receive!

Why you should turn away from your sinful ways and begin to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as prescribed in the Bible

Once you are born again, you are expected to denounce your old ways and start walking in the teachings of Christ. This is in accordance with the last words that Jesus gave His disciples when He was leaving the earth. This is what He told them   

“’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them too observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Bible teaches that when you get born again, your old self is gone and you become a new creation. We read this in 1 Corinthians 5:17, which says

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

A similar exhortation is to be found in Ephesians 4:21–24, which says

“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man, which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which is created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Why you should join a Bible-teaching local church and become a disciple of Jesus Christ

Once born again, the Bible instructs you not to forsake meeting together with other believers in order to exhort one another and stir one another up to good works. We read this in Hebrews 10:24–24, which says

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.”

Be careful to join a church whose doctrine is aligned with the teaching of the Bible. This is because many teachers of the ‘word’ have gone out into the world and are misleading very many people. MOSTLY, THOSE WHO ARE BEING MISLED ARE BELIEVERS WHO DO NOT SET ASIDE ADEQUATE TIME FOR PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY.

Therefore, as a new convert, I urge you to make Bible study your number-one priority in your walk of faith. In each day that God grants you, slot in some quiet time for Bible study. As you do so, PRAY to God for understanding of all that you read. In addition, make the Holy Spirit your Bible study partner, and He will lead you into all TRUTH.

God bless you and all the best in your Journey of Faith.

Conclusion

In this article, we have looked at the steps one can follow in order to become a born again Christian. These steps include

1. Confess that you are a sinner.
2. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ was sent by His Father into the world to save sinners.
4. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
5. Receive a water baptism.
6. Receive baptism by the Holy Spirit.
7. Turn away from your sinful ways and begin to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as prescribed in the Bible.
8. Join a Bible-teaching local church and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Getting born again is the best decision that you will ever make while living on earth. This is because this decision determines where you will spend your eternity. As already mentioned, those who believe and receive Christ Jesus and walk according to His ways are assured of eternal life. They will spend their eternity with God in the age to come. On the other hand, those who die without making this decision are already condemned. The good news is that salvation is a FREE GIFT from God to ALL MANKIND, for God does not want anyone to perish but to have everlasting life through Christ Jesus. If you are yet to make this decision, TODAY is your DAY. If you hear the PROMPTING of the Holy Spirit, do not POSTPONE, you may NEVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE! So Seize this moment and say the following prayer:

Related Post: Steps to being born again

Prayer to become a born-again Christian

 “Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness;

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God;

I believe that you were sent of your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with The Holy Spirit;

Thank you for saving me.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

Congratulations friend! You are now a born-again Christian!

Welcome to the Family of God!

Benediction

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.”

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Shalom.

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/