Studies In Christianity

Becoming A New Creature

The most dangerous threat to Christianity comes from within. Around the world Christianity is under threat of persecution.   - However - The most dangerous threat to Christianity comes from within.

So called Christians became indistinguishable from the world. Churches have lost their identity as they become increasingly secular.   So called Christians became indistinguishable from the world.

Consequently many cannot explain what they believe or why.

I Peter 3: 14-16 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

“Studies in Christianity.” Therefore, we are embarking on a study of the fundamentals. “Studies in Christianity.” Our first observation how does one become a “New Creature.” II Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come

I. One must have faith before he can become a new creature.

Hebrews 11: 6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Faith is a response to knowledge. Faith in God and His Christ comes as a result of a message taught. I Corinthians 1: 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Acts 11: 14 And he ( Cornelius ) reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, 'Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' Romans 10: 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

I Corinthians 15: 1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

James 1: 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

II. Faith in one’s heart will motivate him to repent of his sins.

Faith that does not affect one’s life is not faith at all, only academic acceptance. James 2: 18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Jesus will saved one FROM his sins, but not IN his sins, he must turn from sin.

Luke 13: 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 24: 47 Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 17: 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness   II Corinthians 7: 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

one to turn away from sin he wants to tell others about it. III. When faith has motivated one to turn away from sin he wants to tell others about it.

Jesus wants for His follower to be proud of their relationship with him. Matthew 10: 32 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Romans 10: 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

I Peter 3: 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

will motivate one to obey it. IV. Faith in the gospel message will motivate one to obey it.

Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

I Corinthians 15: 1-4 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

One must OBEY the gospel or be separated from God. I Thessalonians 1: 8 … when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Romans 6: 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Romans 6: 1-7 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from … continued

Romans 6: 1-7 … continuation the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

To become a “new creature” one must : 1. Have faith 2. His faith must cause him to repent 3. His faith must be strong enough to motivate him to confess it, to share it with others. 4. His faith must fill his heart to the point that he will obey the gospel by being baptized.

Do you have this kind of active faith ? Have you committed your life to Christ ? Why not obey the gospel now ?

Remember His Sacrifice for us