Now that you are a Christian

Introduction

You must understand what Salvation means because the enemy will try to rob you of your salvation. 

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

However, God is on your side and will protect you if you let Him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 John 1:7-9 (NIV)  7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

To get the most out of this study, please follow these suggestions:

1. Pray - Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you Learn the basics of Salvation.

2. Read out loud parts one and two several times. 

   1. First time to pronounce each word

   2. Second time to understand the meaning of each word

   3. Third time to understand the meaning of the whole section

   4. Fourth plus times until you know everything by heart

3. Write down any and all questions that may arise

   1. Call, text, or email Dr. Gene Behl, Ph.D. 808 345-7532 drgene@thebehls.net

   2. Contact one of the other pastors or elders

4. Go to part 3

   1. Write out in your own words how you know you are a Christian

   2. Follow the guidelines in part 3

   3. Share your testimony with one of the pastoral staff or elder for confirmation

5. Share with as many people as you can 

   1. Lead them to Jesus like you did

Basic Christianity 101 Part 1

Salvation defined

Salvation is a noun meaning one who has been saved or rescued.

Biblically, salvation means: 1) God created man perfect – man sinned against God (fall of man) – Punishment for sin is spiritual death – God sent his son Jesus to take the punishment for us – Jesus saved us from spiritual death

Creation

God created man perfect

Creation was made good

Genesis 1:31 (NIV) 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

God made us in His image

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) 27 So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 

Fill and subdue the earth

Genesis 1:28-29 (NIV) 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Made a little lower than the angels

Psalm 8:5-8 (NIV) 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Crowned them with glory and honor

Hebrews 2:7 (NIV) 7 You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor

Fall of man

Perfect to evil

Man sinned

Genesis 3:5-6 (AMP) 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.

All have sinned

Romans 3:23 (NIV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

God created us good but we turned

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NIV) 29 This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

Man’s ways may look right

Proverbs 14:12 (AMP) and Proverbs 16:25 (AMP) 25 There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

Man’s hearts are evil

Genesis 6:5 (NIV) 5 The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Lost eternal life

Genesis 3:22 (NIV) 22 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 

Eternal punishment

Revelation 21:8 (NIV) 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Without excuse

Romans 1:19-20 (NIV) 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

God’s Plan of Salvation

Jesus

Christ died for our sins

Romans 14:9 (NIV) 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

Christ died for our sins

1 Corinthians 15:3 (NIV) 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Christ died for our sins

Romans 6:23 (NIV) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God chose to love us anyway

Colossians 2:13 (NIV) 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

God chose to love us anyway

Romans 5:8 (NIV) 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God chose to love us anyway

John 17:23-25 (NIV) 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.

He gave to receive

John 3:16 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Acts 26:18 (NIV) 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Interceding for us

Romans 8:34 (NIV) 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Terms used to describe those who are saved

Born again

To be born physically and born from above   

John 3:3 (NIV) 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 

Salvation  

One who is saved 

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV) 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saved

To be rescued or spared from 

Romans 10:9 (NIV) 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Believer   

One who believes in Jesus  

John 4:41 (NIV) 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

Children of God 

God’s kids 

Galatians 3:26 (NIV) 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,

Redeemed 

To be bought back 

Galatians 3:13 (NIV) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

Saints 

Any believer who is "in Christ" and in whom Christ dwells 

Ephesians 6:18 (AMP) 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

Salt 

Enhances flavor and preserves 

Matthew 5:13 (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Light 

Opposite of dark 

Matthew 5:14 (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Chosen  

One who is the object of choice or of divine favor 

John 15:16 (NIV) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Christians 

Followers of Christ 

Acts 11:26 (NIV) 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year, Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Basic Christianity 101 Part 2

Learning To Trust your faith in the Lord

• The New Testament was written mostly in ancient Greek. 

• Most original Greek words, especially verbs, imply ongoing action.

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV) 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Paraphrase to show ongoing action:

22 This righteousness is continually given to all who continually believe through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all who continually sin fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are continually justified freely by His grace through the continual redemption that comes from Christ Jesus.

• How many lies does it take to make you a liar?

• How many sins does it take to make you a sinner?

Romans 6:23 (NIV) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Wages are what you get for your action. 

• Death – Spiritual death is separation from God. 

  • Matthew 27:46 (NIV) 46 About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

• The gift of God is eternal life; however, a gift must be received.  

• Illustration: Poison water supply

A terrorist poisoned the main water supply. Most people drank the water before it was discovered. An antidote was quickly made. The word got out that there was a free antidote at the local fire department. You now have a choice to get and take the antidote or stay home and die. Your choice. Jesus died for all, but only the ones who receive Jesus’ free gift will have eternal life. The choice is yours.

John 1:11-13 (NIV) 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

• Born again – The right to become children of God is more than what we think of as adoption; it is a rebirth. 

  • John 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP) 17 Therefore, if any person is [engrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Revelation 3:20 (NIV) 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

• Jesus and the Holy Spirit are gentlemen; they will never force or trick you into something you do not choose to do. 

• They are, however, gentle and persistent.

• Our relationship with Jesus is the difference between light and dark.

  • 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Defensive arguments 

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10 (AMP) 9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth, he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

• Confess with your mouth - To declare, acknowledge or confess with your mouth means you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the contract. 

• “Jesus is Lord” – Lord is a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler.

  • The term authority is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure.

  • Power is frequently defined as the ability to influence the behavior of people with or without resistance. 

• Believe - to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so 

• Heart - the center of the total personality, especially with reference to intuition, feeling, and emotion

Basic Christianity 101 Part 3

Sharing Your Testimonies

Testimony

Open declaration or profession of your faith
Sharing your experiences

Important?

We all struggle with doubts
Sharing how you overcame it may help others overcome their challenges
Sharing your experiences may bring others to Jesus (salvation)

Do not tell untruths

Do not make up something that did not happen
Differentiate between your experience and another’s

Do not stretch the truth

Do not Exaggerate
Do not tell a Partial truth

Do not dwell on the negative

Don’t glorify the sin
Don’t support the sin
Always sandwich the negative between the positive 

KISS

(Keep It Simple and Short)
Keep your testimonies short
Keep your testimonies simple
(Note: you can make another testimony longer with lots of details later)

Be You

Believe what you say
Be non-apologetic

Take ownership of your testimonies 

Do not covet or envy someone else’s testimony

Support your testimonies 

Add scriptures if possible
Explain reasoning if not clear

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