I was recently in Hong Kong and on the same day attended Sunday services at two different churches, the morning 10:30 am service at Community Church Hong Kong and the afternoon 5:00 pm service, many miles distant, at Island Evangelical Community Church.

Interestingly, both Churches gave prominence to the same heading “How to become a Christian” their handouts. The bible also gives prominence to this question and perhaps the most concise answer is that of Acts 2:38 where Peter advised simply, “Repent and be baptised.” Romans 10:9 is equally short, saying “if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”

Becoming a Christian is easy, in one sense; we just need to believe. As Romans 3:28 says “a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law.” A freely given faith, which, as Romans 3:24 says, we are “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” In other words, a gift of grace we which we just need to accept, and which we cannot attain by work.

The following are extracted from the two church handouts as follows:

“How to become a Christian” by Community Church Hong Kong:

“A – Admit that you, like all people, have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. …for all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
B – Believe that Jesus Christ, who was God in human flesh, died for your sins on the cross and rose again. …Christ died for our sins, He was buried ands He was raised on the third day. First Corinthians 15:3-4
C – Confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, repent (turn away from your sins) and commit to live for Him for the rest of your life. …Each of your must turn from your sins and turn to God. Acts 2:38
D – Dedicate yourself to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. …And Jesus told them, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Luke 9:23 (Message)
You may express your decision through prayer, asking Jesus to tom into your life, and receiving God’s gift to you.
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9″

“How to become a Christian” by Island Evangelical Community Church

“Many people believe they are Christians because they were born in a religious home or go to church regularly, try to do their best, or live a good life. However the Bible teaches that these things cannot make you a Christian. You become a Christian simply be taking these three steps:
1 Acknowledge that you, like all people, have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. …for all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
2 Personally believe that Jesus Christ, who was God in human flesh, died for your sins on the cross and rose again. ….for what I have passed on to you as of first importance: that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. First Corinthians 15:3-4
3 Repent (turn away from your sins), confess, and accept Jesus as your lord and Saviour. …“The time has come,” He said, “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15
You may express your belief through prayer, asking Jesus to come into your life, and receiving Him as God’s gift to you. …Yet all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God. John 1:12
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9″

Amen.