Steps to Enter God's Church

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus told the apostle Peter that He (Christ) would build His (Christ’s) church and the gates of hades (death) would not prevail against it. Christ Himself is the foundation of His church – 1 Corinthians 3:11…”for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Also, Ephesians 2:20…”Christ Jesus, the chief corner stone” of that foundation.

There are five steps to get into the church that Jesus built.

Hearing is the first step because faith comes by hearing the word of God – Romans 10:17. However, many will refuse to hear. Perhaps they are afraid of having to change their lives if they develop faith…and many don’t want to change. Others may have to listen or read many hours to develop faith enough to follow Jesus.

Believe/faith. “Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on Him who He hath sent” – John 6:29. Faith is a work and the hardest work in becoming a Christian.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:12 – “And furthermore, my son, be admonished; of making of many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Read the bible.

Repentance is the next step and is a change of mind that leads to a change in ones actions.
In Acts 2:38, the apostle Peter told the people to repent. Acts 17:30….”God commands all men everywhere to repent”.

Confession of Christ – not sins – is the next step in becoming a Christian. In Acts 8:37 we have an example of one confessing Christ before being baptized. Romans 10:10 also tells us that “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If one has faith and has repented, confession is easy.

Baptism is the last step in becoming a Christian. Acts 2:38 tells us that baptism is for remission of sins. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said..."he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved..” In Acts 2:38 when the 3,000 (Acts 2:41), were baptized for (in order to have) remission of sins, the Lord added them to the church – Acts 2:47.
Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27 also tells us that baptism puts one into Christ, His church, His body. In Christ is also where we find ALL spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3.

We have numerous examples in the book of Acts showing how one enters God’s/Christ’s church. Today, the same Lord will add those who do the same things we read about in Acts. You will be added to the same church. The one Christ purchased with his blood – Acts 20:28. The ONE church – 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Are you in the ONE church that Christ died for? You can be by following the five steps found in God’s word (bible) and continuing to live faithfully according to that same word.

You might want to read the previous post – “How does one become a Christian”. Archived on this blog under year 2008.