To become a Christian, believers must come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Such knowledge of Christ is what brings into existent a relationship that changes lives, people, attitude and circumstances. The question is: who should be addressed as a Christian and what are the criteria to identify them? I trust the best source for this truth should be the scriptures. God reveals in His word certain criteria to meet to become a Christian. Some of them are:
-Must repent: Literally repent means to change, turn around from old ways and make right about turn. Repentance is a process. You may not change everything at once, but can have a repentant attitude and turn to the right direction; living a new life of overcoming which means bearing fruits worthy of repentance. Repentance means to change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner self and live for His purpose.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance [Matthew 3:8]. 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 Spirit [Acts 2:38].
Conversion: Surrendering yourself and turning your life over to God. Whosoever desires to become a Christian should be prepared to surrender fully his/her life to Christ; forsake the past and put God first. This calls for total commitment. Those who have undergone a true life’s changing process following hearing and conviction by the word of God [Acts 2:37ff]; they have had a life changing revelation with the Lord Jesus Christ and have turned around from darkness into glorious light of God.
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 [ Acts 3:19].
-Be little flocks that the Father’s good pleasure gives the kingdom. Those God had chosen and set apart before birth and has called by His grace; saw it fit and pleasing to reveal His son in them to proclaim Him as glad tidings-Gospel.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure
to give you the kingdom[Luke 12: 32].
–Be my sheep: Those who have known the voice of the Master and answered to it. A shepherd tends a sheep. The sheep depends on the shepherd to meet all its needs, whether it’s food, water, inclement weather, illness or being infested by pest. Little wonder, the Psalmist sings, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his
life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them and they follow me [John 10: 14, 27].