Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Christian?
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point in understanding what a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it falls short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.
The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ.
Unfortunately over time, the word "Christian" has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values instead of a true born again follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who don’t believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a "Christian" nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian (Titus 3:5).
A Christian is someone who has been born-again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point in understanding what a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it falls short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.
The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ.
Unfortunately over time, the word "Christian" has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values instead of a true born again follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who don’t believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a "Christian" nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian (Titus 3:5).
A Christian is someone who has been born-again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
How do I become a Christian?
1. Recognize that God pursues you with love and offers salvation.
His love includes you. "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" (John 3:16).
He has new life for you. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10a).
2. Recognize that sin separates you from God and others.
"Sin" is walking our own way in rebellion against God's will. When we walk away from God, we walk away from life.
Everyone has sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Sin brings death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a).
Our own efforts cannot save us. As sinners we futilely try to find life's true meaning in the wrong ways and places. "For it is by grace 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).
3. Recognize that Jesus Christ died and rose again for our sins.
Jesus Christ died in our place. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
He is the way to new life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
He gives inner peace. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
He gives freedom. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
He gives eternal life. "But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b).
4. You must repent and ask God for forgiveness.
Admit and confess your sins to God. "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).
Repentance means
• To acknowledge your sins.
• To be sorry for your sins.
• To confess your sins.
• To be willing to forsake your sins.
• To have your life changed by Christ.
Forgiveness is promised. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
5. Place your trust in Christ and receive Him as your Savior.
Christ is ready. "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" (Revelation 3:20).
You can receive Jesus Christ now. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Will you pray this prayer? Lord Jesus, I want to have life. I know that I have sinned. I need Your forgiveness and pardon. I believe that You died and rose again for my sins. I now accept You as my personal Savior. I will forsake my sinful life. I know that Your grace and power will enable me to live for You. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and for giving me a new life.
For help in living a meaningful life in Christ
• Be assured of Christ's forgiveness.
• Read your Bible and pray daily.
• Find a concerned pastor and other Christians.
• Become a vital part of that church.
• Share your faith with others.
1. Recognize that God pursues you with love and offers salvation.
His love includes you. "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" (John 3:16).
He has new life for you. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10a).
2. Recognize that sin separates you from God and others.
"Sin" is walking our own way in rebellion against God's will. When we walk away from God, we walk away from life.
Everyone has sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Sin brings death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a).
Our own efforts cannot save us. As sinners we futilely try to find life's true meaning in the wrong ways and places. "For it is by grace 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).
3. Recognize that Jesus Christ died and rose again for our sins.
Jesus Christ died in our place. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
He is the way to new life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
He gives inner peace. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
He gives freedom. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
He gives eternal life. "But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b).
4. You must repent and ask God for forgiveness.
Admit and confess your sins to God. "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).
Repentance means
• To acknowledge your sins.
• To be sorry for your sins.
• To confess your sins.
• To be willing to forsake your sins.
• To have your life changed by Christ.
Forgiveness is promised. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
5. Place your trust in Christ and receive Him as your Savior.
Christ is ready. "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" (Revelation 3:20).
You can receive Jesus Christ now. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Will you pray this prayer? Lord Jesus, I want to have life. I know that I have sinned. I need Your forgiveness and pardon. I believe that You died and rose again for my sins. I now accept You as my personal Savior. I will forsake my sinful life. I know that Your grace and power will enable me to live for You. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and for giving me a new life.
For help in living a meaningful life in Christ
• Be assured of Christ's forgiveness.
• Read your Bible and pray daily.
• Find a concerned pastor and other Christians.
• Become a vital part of that church.
• Share your faith with others.
What do Nazarenes believe about God?
As part of the Christian community, Nazarenes understand that there is one God. He has always existed and He will always exist (Deuteronomy 6:4). We believe that He is creative (Genesis 1; Isaiah 40:25-26), that He is holy (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 5:16, 6:1-7), and that He has purposes that He carries out in this world (Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 1:6-7). We also understand that God’s nature is "three-fold:" He is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This concept of the Trinity (God’s three–fold nature) was understood by the early Christian church as the best way to explain what they experienced. They knew from their Jewish roots that there is only one God. But they also knew that Jesus acted as if He were God. And the Holy Spirit, empowering the church as promised by Jesus and the Old Testament, seemed to have all God’s power as well. The church could have regarded Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate "gods," but that was contrary to the earlier scriptures and to Jesus’ own teachings (Matthew 22:36-40). The church could have regarded Jesus as a special creation, but no scriptural teaching supported that view. The church responded by explaining that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in fact part of the one God who has always existed, known earlier only as a Father (Deuteronomy 1:31; Psalm 103:13).
As part of the Christian community, Nazarenes understand that there is one God. He has always existed and He will always exist (Deuteronomy 6:4). We believe that He is creative (Genesis 1; Isaiah 40:25-26), that He is holy (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 5:16, 6:1-7), and that He has purposes that He carries out in this world (Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 1:6-7). We also understand that God’s nature is "three-fold:" He is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This concept of the Trinity (God’s three–fold nature) was understood by the early Christian church as the best way to explain what they experienced. They knew from their Jewish roots that there is only one God. But they also knew that Jesus acted as if He were God. And the Holy Spirit, empowering the church as promised by Jesus and the Old Testament, seemed to have all God’s power as well. The church could have regarded Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate "gods," but that was contrary to the earlier scriptures and to Jesus’ own teachings (Matthew 22:36-40). The church could have regarded Jesus as a special creation, but no scriptural teaching supported that view. The church responded by explaining that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in fact part of the one God who has always existed, known earlier only as a Father (Deuteronomy 1:31; Psalm 103:13).
What is the purpose of my life?
There are two answers to this question. First, God invites us to experience a personal relationship with Him. That invitation is offered to every human on earth. Second, God wants each of us to use the abilities and opportunities He’s given us to help others. These purposes are different for each of us. As part of traditional Christianity, Nazarenes understand that God created all people with the same intention: Each one should have a loving relationship with God that will last for eternity (John 3:16; 1 John 1:3). When we have such a relationship, God intends for us to become more loving, patient, self–disciplined; in short, we are on a journey toward a God–shaped life (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 John 3:2). In addition, God gives each person special abilities designed to help others. Some are able to teach others about God, some are able to help with physical needs, while some are especially effective in counseling or leadership (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; Ephesians 4:11–13).
There are two answers to this question. First, God invites us to experience a personal relationship with Him. That invitation is offered to every human on earth. Second, God wants each of us to use the abilities and opportunities He’s given us to help others. These purposes are different for each of us. As part of traditional Christianity, Nazarenes understand that God created all people with the same intention: Each one should have a loving relationship with God that will last for eternity (John 3:16; 1 John 1:3). When we have such a relationship, God intends for us to become more loving, patient, self–disciplined; in short, we are on a journey toward a God–shaped life (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 John 3:2). In addition, God gives each person special abilities designed to help others. Some are able to teach others about God, some are able to help with physical needs, while some are especially effective in counseling or leadership (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; Ephesians 4:11–13).
If I've done something really wrong, will God forgive me?
Yes! The good news from God is that everyone can have a fresh start with God (2 Peter 3:9). The only requirement is a sincere desire and intention to turn away from what is wrong and to follow God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). In the Bible, God forgave cheaters (see the story of Jacob in Genesis 27 and 32), murderers (David in 2 Samuel 12), adulterers (an unnamed woman in John 8:1-11), and even those who had turned away from him earlier (Samson in Judges 16 and 17). Today, every person is offered forgiveness in Christ with the opportunity for a fresh start (Jeremiah 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
Yes! The good news from God is that everyone can have a fresh start with God (2 Peter 3:9). The only requirement is a sincere desire and intention to turn away from what is wrong and to follow God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). In the Bible, God forgave cheaters (see the story of Jacob in Genesis 27 and 32), murderers (David in 2 Samuel 12), adulterers (an unnamed woman in John 8:1-11), and even those who had turned away from him earlier (Samson in Judges 16 and 17). Today, every person is offered forgiveness in Christ with the opportunity for a fresh start (Jeremiah 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
**All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™