Accepting Christ?

[MSchultz]

My journey through Christianity has delivered me to the acceptance of Christ.
If one was to begin a new life as a Christian, how would the acceptance of Christ be performed?

 

[Knotical]

Well, one of the most public things you would do is be baptized. Are you attending a local church? If so I would speak to either an elder or a pastor and let them know where God had led you and they will talk you through being baptized and becoming a member.

 

[Obadiah]

It's really simple. You have heard that God (the Father) sent Jesus (His Son) to pay for any and all of your sins you may have committed in order for you to have a relationship with him in which the end result one day will be eternal life in heaven with Him. You believe this, which means you already "accept" it as true! What God requires in return is that you now make Him your one and only true God by turning your life over to Him, agreeing to follow Him through His word (the scriptures). To do this, you simply tell Him so.

As I'm sure you know, prayer is simply talking to God as you would talk to anyone else, except you can even do it silently in your head because He knows our thoughts. There are no magical words or actions with God. You simply open up and tell him you believe in Him and accept the sacrifice and forgiveness his Son made for you, and you want to now follow Him through his word to us in scripture. That's it.

 

[Obadiah]

I posted my above post before reading Knotical's. He is right. After you have turned your life over to Christ the next thing you should do is be baptized. It's an outward statement of your faith in God, and is something God has asked us to do as part of following Him. Baptism in itself doesn't save you from the punishment of sin, but it's an act of showing your resolve to follow and live for Christ.

 

[Mike S]

My journey through Christianity has delivered me to the acceptance of Christ.
If one was to begin a new life as a Christian, how would the acceptance of Christ be performed?

The acceptance of Christ is within you, a genuine will to repent your sins, and a calling out to Christ to transform your life. It can be a quiet experience of sensing the embrace of God's love, as with Charles Wesley at Aldersgate:

"In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." - http://wesleyanleadership.com/2013/05/24/i-felt-i-did-trust-in-christ-christ-alone-for-salvation/
​

The moment of acceptance might also fill you with overpowering joy, as with the mathematician, Pascal:

"Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.
Let me never be separated from him.He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth."
​

If you have begun reading the Bible for understanding, I would ask you to read Psalm 51 as a example of someone crying out to God from the depths of despair.

Psalm 51 :1-12
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.​

 

[Cygnus]

My journey through Christianity has delivered me to the acceptance of Christ.
If one was to begin a new life as a Christian, how would the acceptance of Christ be performed?

Do we "accept Christ" or do we "receive Christ". Subtle difference.

Does God place us in Jesus hand...or do we climb into Jesus' hand? I say we are placed.

 

[Malachi]

Do we "accept Christ" or do we "receive Christ". Subtle difference.

We receive Christ according to Scripture (John 1:12,13):
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

So how does one receive Christ?
1. By inviting Him into one's soul (Rev 3:20)
2. By confessing Him with the mouth while believing in the heart (Rom 10:9-11; Acts 16:30,31)
3. By repenting and being converted so that one's sins may be blotted out (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Paul sums it up as repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Jesus must be received as BOTH Lord and Christ.

 

[iLOVE]

Now that you are saved, you should ask the Lord to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

While it is certainly true the Holy Spirit came into your heart and life the moment of your Salvation, still, He now wishes to endure you with power from on high. Consequently, Jesus told all of His followers immediately before His Ascension, that they should "wait for the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). He was speaking of being "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

You must understand that there is a great difference in being "born of the Spirit" than being " Baptized with the Spirit." They are two different works altogether.

To be "born of the Spirit" is that which took place at your conversion, as the Holy Spirit brought you to Christ and performed the work of regeneration within your heart and life. To be "Baptized with the Spirit" is in order that you may have Power with God (Acts 1:8). Every Believer should ask the Lord to fill them with the Holy Spirit, and expect to receive (Luke 11:13).

Now that you are being saved, moving from faith to faith, and glory to glory; God has only one way to live for Him, please Him, honor Him, bring Him glory, and receive victory. That way is: Have faith only in Jesus Christ and the Cross of Christ, i.e., Finished Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit that dwells in you will only help you and work in your life if your faith is maintained in this perimeter.

 

[iLOVE]

Do we "accept Christ" or do we "receive Christ". Subtle difference.

Does God place us in Jesus hand...or do we climb into Jesus' hand? I say we are placed.

Does God place us in Jesus hand, or do we climb into Jesus' hand? = John 15:16 NKJV.

 

[MSchultz]

Well, one of the most public things you would do is be baptized. Are you attending a local church? If so I would speak to either an elder or a pastor and let them know where God had led you and they will talk you through being baptized and becoming a member.

Thank you for your reply. I am not a member of a Church this seeking answers from a Pastor is unlikely.
If I recall correctly, I believe I was Christened at birth; is this similar to a baptism?

 

[MSchultz]

It's really simple. You have heard that God (the Father) sent Jesus (His Son) to pay for any and all of your sins you may have committed in order for you to have a relationship with him in which the end result one day will be eternal life in heaven with Him. You believe this, which means you already "accept" it as true! What God requires in return is that you now make Him your one and only true God by turning your life over to Him, agreeing to follow Him through His word (the scriptures). To do this, you simply tell Him so.

As I'm sure you know, prayer is simply talking to God as you would talk to anyone else, except you can even do it silently in your head because He knows our thoughts. There are no magical words or actions with God. You simply open up and tell him you believe in Him and accept the sacrifice and forgiveness his Son made for you, and you want to now follow Him through his word to us in scripture. That's it.

Thank you for your reply. I have heard people state before that prayer is chanted in a special deliverance; is this correct?
My understanding is that prayers can be delivered anytime, anyway and anywhere - is this accurate?

 

[MSchultz]

The acceptance of Christ is within you, a genuine will to repent your sins, and a calling out to Christ to transform your life. It can be a quiet experience of sensing the embrace of God's love, as with Charles Wesley at Aldersgate:

"In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." - http://wesleyanleadership.com/2013/05/24/i-felt-i-did-trust-in-christ-christ-alone-for-salvation/
​

The moment of acceptance might also fill you with overpowering joy, as with the mathematician, Pascal:

"Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.
Let me never be separated from him.He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth."
​

If you have begun reading the Bible for understanding, I would ask you to read Psalm 51 as a example of someone crying out to God from the depths of despair.

Psalm 51 :1-12
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.​

Thank you for your reply. I have read Psalm 51; a prayer for repentance. The wording has always fascinated me; submission and despair combined to seek forgiveness.

 

[MSchultz]

Do we "accept Christ" or do we "receive Christ". Subtle difference.

Does God place us in Jesus hand...or do we climb into Jesus' hand? I say we are placed.

Excellent question!
Perhaps receive is more accurate; it could be argued that Jesus accepts us - not that we accept him.
That is an interesting notion of being placed into Jesus's hand; certainly a prospect to ponder on.

 

[MSchultz]

iLOVE, thank you for your replies.
I never thought of the distinctions between 'born of the Spirit' and 'baptized with the Spirit'.
Thank you first sharing that, this could prove to be crucial for my understanding.

 

[Mike]

MSchultz I don't believe now is the time to ponder weighty theological questions. You are being Called into the arms of our Father. Personally, I believe this is being done by Him alone, and He will have you. See John 6:43-51. How you came to be in His arms is not nearly as important as the fact that you are. In Him, you are a new creation. 2 Cor 5:16-19 You will never again be the same.

If you haven't already, I would highly encourage you to get in His Word and start with the book of Romans. Really slow down and absorb it, especially chapters 3 and 4. I'll be praying for you, and I mean that!

 

[MSchultz]

MSchultz I don't believe now is the time to ponder weighty theological questions. You are being Called into the arms of our Father. Personally, I believe this is being done by Him alone, and He will have you. See John 6:43-51. How you came to be in His arms is not nearly as important as the fact that you are. In Him, you are a new creation. 2 Cor 5:16-19 You will never again be the same.

If you haven't already, I would highly encourage you to get in His Word and start with the book of Romans. Really slow down and absorb it, especially chapters 3 and 4. I'll be praying for you, and I mean that!

Thank you Mike, I appreciate your support and guidance. I shall read the book of Romans this evening in my new Bible.
I admit, I am excited to begin this new venture and hopefully I shall learn a lot about God and myself on the journey.

 

[WIP]

Thank you for your reply. I have heard people state before that prayer is chanted in a special deliverance; is this correct?

Prayer is communication directly with the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name.

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14:15-18 NKJV

"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26 NKJV

"Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:3 NKJV
"Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." John 16:23 NKJV

Who better to teach us how to pray than the Christ himself. Check out these examples of prayer.
Matthew 6:5-13 The model prayer.
Matthew 26:36-46 Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane prior to His arrest.
John chapter 17 Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and everyone.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

iLOVE, thank you for your replies.
I never thought of the distinctions between 'born of the Spirit' and 'baptized with the Spirit'.
Thank you first sharing that, this could prove to be crucial for my understanding.

It can be crucial to deciding what church to seek out.
The Christian life is ALL about the Holy Spirit. You should seek a fellowship that knows and understands this. Avoid cold dead ritual.

 

[MSchultz]

It can be crucial to deciding what church to seek out.
The Christian life is ALL about the Holy Spirit. You should seek a fellowship that knows and understands this. Avoid cold dead ritual.

Thank you for your reply.
I should seek a Church which is fun and engaging; Church should not be a chore - is this a fair statement?

 

[MSchultz]

Prayer is communication directly with the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name.

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14:15-18 NKJV

"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26 NKJV

"Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:3 NKJV
"Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." John 16:23 NKJV

Who better to teach us how to pray than the Christ himself. Check out these examples of prayer.
Matthew 6:5-13 The model prayer.
Matthew 26:36-46 Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane prior to His arrest.
John chapter 17 Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and everyone.

Hope this is helpful.

WIP, everything is helpful at present.
Thank you for including passages for me to refer to, I shall read them to understand about prayer from Christ himself.