Each month, we will be highlighting a particular theological topic here at the BLB blog. This month, we are highlighting the topic of soteriology—the doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Bible says a person becomes a Christian when he places his faith in Jesus Christ. This is known as being saved or born again.
Must Be Born Again
The Bible teaches that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again.
Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God’
(John 3:3)
Hence, being born again is absolutely essential to becoming a Christian.
Faith In Jesus
To become born again, a person must put their faith in Jesus as Savior. The Bible says:
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation
(Romans 10:9,10)
This requires an act of the will.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on his name
(John 1:12)In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
(Ephesians 1:13).
Relationship
Becoming a Christian involves entering into a relationship with the Living God.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent
(John 17:3)
Eternal Transaction
When a person trusts Christ it is forever:
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life
(John 3:36)
One does not become a Christian by natural birth self-determination, or self-improvement. It is by a supernatural work of God and by admitting we cannot reach God through our own strength. We must come to the place where we ask the Lord to forgive us our sins based upon the sacrifice of Christ. The Bible is clear on this matter—without being saved or born again a person cannot enter God’s kingdom.
(adapted from the FAQs of Don Stewart the Bible Exlorer, available at the Blue Letter Bible)