How to Become a Christian BOOK ONE IN THE REAL CHRISTIANITY SERIES SEAN KEHOE realchristianity.com 2014 PUBLISHING DETAILS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO BIBLE PUBLISHERS Copyright © 2014 by Sean Kehoe How to Become a Christian – Book One in the Real Christianity series This book is published by Real Christianity of Box Number 5262, 6 Slington House, Rankine Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8PH, United Kingdom Scripture quotations in this book are from a variety of translations. The Bible version used is indicated by the relevant initials at the end of each reference, as follows and the following acknowledgements are made to each of the publishers: NIV = New International Version Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicised Edition) Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. “NIV” is a registered trademark of Biblica – UK trademark number 1448790. KJV = King James Version The rights in the Authorised (King James) version of the Bible are vested in the Crown RSV = Revised Standard Version Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the national Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NKJV = New King James Version Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright xx 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ASV = American Standard Version Copyright, 1901, by Thomas Nelson & Sons. Copyright, 1929, by International Council of Religious Education NASB = New American Standard Bible Scriptures taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ESV = English Standard Version Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.realchristianity.com i DEDICATION This book is dedicated to my parents, Michael and Bridget Kehoe. Without their example and inspiration I would never have been in a position to write it. I had the privilege to share the good news of Jesus Christ with each of them. I also know that at the end of their lives they both called on His name and were saved. My hope is that many readers will do likewise and genuinely come to know the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves and be saved: 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NIV) ii HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN BOOK ONE IN THE REAL CHRISTIANITY SERIES CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements v Introduction 1 Chapter 1. Some important points at the outset. Chapter 2. What is the Bible? How did it come to be written and why should we believe it? 11 Chapter 3. God’s character –who He is and what He is like 19 Chapter 4. How the Church got into its current condition 29 Chapter 5 Why should we bother to become a Christian? 37 Chapter 6 What is the Christian message? The bad news first– sin and its consequences 47 Chapter 7 The Ten Commandments – proof that you and I are sinners, not just other people. 63 Chapter 8 More bad news - judgment, Hell and the Lake of Fire in closer detail. 81 Chapter 9 Setting the scene for the first coming of Jesus 93 Chapter 10 How Jesus' death on the cross made it possible for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be made righteous in God's eyes. 103 Chapter 11 Proof that the resurrection really happened 127 Chapter 12 Salvation, is not earned by our own effort or merit. It is a free gift by God’s grace (undeserved favour) in response to our faith 143 Chapter 13 An overview of how to be saved - the four steps we need to take 153 Chapter 14 Step one in detail - repent 163 Chapter 15 Step two in detail - believe 183 Chapter 16 Step three in detail - be baptised in water 205 Chapter 17 Step four in detail - receive the Holy Spirit 215 Chapter 18 Jesus is the only way to salvation 243 Chapter 19 How to know whether you are a real Christian or not 255 Chapter 20 Summary - how do we actually become a Christian? What do we need to do in practical terms? 267 Chapter 21 Assurance of salvation, provided we persevere and continue on "the Way". 277 iii 3 Chapter 22 Assurance and perseverance continued - the three stages or tenses of salvation: justification, then sanctification, then glorification 307 Chapter 23 Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ - some introductory points 315 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book could never have been written without the help, influence and teaching of countless people whom God has brought into my life. Without my parents’ example I would not have developed the love of the truth. That is what causes a person to prefer to speak the truth no matter how much more difficulty it may cause in comparison to compromise. My Dad in particular would tell the truth as an automatic reflex reaction to any situation. Few people do that, even in churches. I have tried to be completely honest in this book, no matter how many denominational traditions, practices or teachings are contradicted. I was told the good news about Jesus Christ by an American missionary from Oklahoma called Dave Brown. I will be eternally grateful to him. Thereafter I was influenced at a distance by many Bible teachers. Their tapes and CDs nourished me while the quality of teaching in the churches I attended went down and down. The most significant Bible teachers in my own life have been Derek Prince, David Pawson, Jacob Prasch, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Beresford Job, Chuck Missler, Dave Hunt and Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Each of them has had a major impact upon me, the value of which is beyond calculation. I am profoundly grateful to them all. I also thank all of those people who have reviewed and checked the book for me while it was at draft stage. They offered valuable suggestions for how to improve it. Most of them have asked to remain anonymous. Very great help and support came from Chris Hill of CL Ministries. He urged me to complete and publish this book and was a Barnabas to me. v