“25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26, KJV).
Loved ones, a study of the accounts of conversion found in the book of Acts is helpful, but it will not do us any good personally until we make the application to our own lives. It is good for one to understand what sin is and what sin does, but it will not do us any good personally until we decide to stop sinning.
It is also good to understand the gospel and the process of conversion. The accounts of conversion in the book of Acts are more than just historical accounts of people becoming Christians. They serve as a pattern for us today. They are the gospel in action. We know that if we do what they did, then we can be what they were – saved from our sins (Mark 16:15-16) – Christians (1 Peter 4:16).
The purpose of this lesson is to help you come to the point of making a decision to become a Christian. Hopefully you have been thinking about this as a reader of many of our previous post. Perhaps you have some questions about whether or not you are ready to become a Christian. This lesson will help you answer these questions.
Do You Know Why You Need To Become A Christian?
You will notice that when the people understood that they were guilty of sin and stood condemned before God, they immediately responded to the saving gospel of Jesus, the Messiah (Romans 1:16).
The Jews on Pentecost were cut to the heart and asked what they should do when they realized that they were guilty of killing the Son of God (Acts 2:36-37). The jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved when he realized that he was accountable to the God that Paul served (Acts 16:30).
All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23). Sin is more than a violation against God's law; it is a violation against God Himself. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and brings spiritual death (Romans 6:23). If we were to die in this spiritual condition, we would spend eternity in Hell as a punishment for our sins (Matthew 25:41).
Jesus understood our lost condition and willingly came to earth to die on the cross so that we could be saved (Luke 19:10). Salvation is offered to us through the conditions Set forth in His gospel. Do you understand that you are a sinner and in need of salvation? If so, then you MAY BE ready to become a Christian.
Do You Know What You Must Do To Become A Christian?
Do you know the conditions that are set forth in the gospel? The Bible teaches that a lost soul must hear the good news of Jesus to have faith in Him as the Savior (Romans 10:17). Lost individuals are told to believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, confess their faith in Christ as LORD, and be baptized (immersed) in water in order to be saved (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). Are you ready to accept these conditions of the Gospel? If so, then you MAY BE ready to become a Christian.
Do You Understand What You Must Do To Become A Christian?
Knowing what you must do is one thing, but it is also important that you understand what you must do and why you must do it (Romans 6:17). God requires more than outward obedience. Since conversion begins with a change in heart, our hearts and minds must be involved in this conversion process.
Belief – Do you really believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe that He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and then rose from the grave on the third day? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Repentance – Do you understand what it means to repent? (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Are you willing to turn your heart and life away from sin and give it to God in faithful obedience?
Confession of Faith – Do you understand what it means to confess that Jesus is LORD, the Son of God? (Romans 10:9-10). Do you understand the significance of that statement and the impact that it has upon your life?
Baptism – Do you understand what water baptism is and what it is for? (Acts 22:16).
If you do not understand these things, then talk to someone about the things that you do not understand (your parents, your Bible class teacher, the preacher, one of the elders, etc.).
Any Christian would be glad to help you understand what you need to do in order to be saved. If you do understand these things, then you MAY BE ready to become a Christian.
Have You Counted The Cost?
Jesus did not want men making a blind or purely emotional decision about following Him. He cautioned followers to stop and consider what they were committing themselves unto (read Luke 14:25-33). We must count the cost.
1. There is a cost involved in becoming a Christian.
Following Jesus will cost us in that we must deny ourselves and put Christ first in our life (Matthew 6:33; Mark 8:34-38). Our repentance will cost us in that we can no longer enjoy the sinful things of the world (Ephesians 2:1-3). Our confession of faith will cost us in that it will let the sinful world know that we are now followers of Christ. Jesus said that the world will oppose those who chose to follow Him (John 15:18-20; 2 Timothy 3:12).
2. There is also a cost involved in choosing NOT to become a Christian.
It means that the penalty for our sins still applies (Romans 6:23). We may enjoy living this life without any of God's restrictions, but in the end, we will be punished eternally for our decision NOT to become a Christian (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
3. There is danger in delay. When the people in the book of Acts understood what they needed to do in order to be saved, they did it! They did not wait. Some young people may choose to put off becoming a Christian until they are older. This is very dangerous, and one needs to stop and count the cost of delaying this decision.
There is no guarantee that you will get any older (James 4:13-17). If you fail to act upon your desire to become a Christian, that desire may disappear and never be felt again. One is blessed if he obeys God in his youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). There are many advantages to becoming a Christian when you are young.
If you have counted the cost and understand that you would rather pay the price for becoming a Christian than to pay the price for being lost, then you MAY BE ready to become a Christian.
Are You Ready To Make A Commitment To Christ?
Choosing to become a Christian is not like getting your booster shots or passing your driving test. It is not something that you do once and never be concerned about again. It is a LIFE-LONG commitment.
A part of your resolve to follow Jesus involves keeping separate from the sinful world (1 Peter 2:11). Repentance will require that you turn away from your sin. However, this does not mean that the sins of the world will no longer appeal to you. You must deny yourself and remember that, as a servant of Christ, you are no longer allowed to enjoy the sinful pleasures of the world (Hebrews 11:25).
Daily learning the will of Christ is part of the Christian life (Matthews 28:18-20). Jesus told the apostles to make disciples of all the nations. After they were converted, these disciples were to be taught to observe all of the commands of Christ (2 Timothy 2:2). A true disciple is one who knows and abides in the teachings of Christ (John 8:31-32).
The first converts devoted themselves to true worship of God (John 4:24; Acts 2:42). Conversion makes one a member of the Lord's universal church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47). As such, you will want to make yourself a member of a local church and participate in the work and worship of that congregation.
Becoming a Christian does not mean that you become perfect. Christians continue to grow and mature throughout their lives. They make mistakes and must seek God's forgiveness (remember Simon the sorcerer—Acts 8:18-24). However, faithful Christians never give up (Revelation 2:10). They keep serving God and worshiping Him with other faithful Christians.
Are you ready to make a personal commitment to follow Christ and serve Him for the rest of your life? If you are, then you ARE READY to become a Christian.
Conclusion
We have been involved in a very important study. All of us sin and must seek the forgiveness of these sins through Jesus Christ. The gospel is God's power for our salvation. It is just as powerful today as it was 2,100 years ago. The gospel is for everyone. The gospel is for you.
Are you ready to do what these converts in the book of Acts did? They believed that Jesus was the Son of God, repented of their sins, confessed their faith before others, and were baptized in water for the remissions of their sins. If we do today what they did then we can be what they were—saved from our sins.
Will you become a Christian today? Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering ONE body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA - 23 February 2026.
