How does a person become a Christian? How do you answer this question? Some say that a moral life makes one a Christian. Others declare that joining a church or being baptized makes a person a Christian. Still others call for a person to "make a decision" or "pray the prayer" or "ask Jesus into your heart". While opinions may be important, the one vital think when speaking of one becoming a Christian is what does God say in His Word.

God has given His Word--the Bible--to reveal Himself, His purpose for man, and the way to know Him personally. Everything a person needs to know about becoming a Christian can be found in God's Word. As God gives a person understanding of the gospel (the good news of how God, in Christ, has provided salvation), then that person can come to genuine faith in Jesus Christ and, consequently, become a Christian.

The Way of Faith can help you on the journey to understanding the Christian faith. Each section ends with questions for personal study or group discussions.

John Gerstner writes in his work The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards, Volume III, (page 67) what Edwards believed the sinner was incapable of doing and what he with his natural powers was capable of:

  1. Making satisfaction for his sins.
  2. Earning a righteousness that makes him acceptable before

       God.
  3. Change his own heart.

The sinner suffers total moral inability to save himself or cooperate in his own regeneration.

However, there are certain things man can do without a principle of life in him:

  1. "A man can abstain from the outward gratification of his  

      lusts."
  2. "A man can in many respects keep out of the way of 

      temptation."
  3. "Persons can perform outward duties of morality towards 

      their neighbors."
  4. "Persons can search the Scriptures."
  5. "Persons can attend all ordinances."
  6. "Persons can use their tongues for the purposes of 

      religion."
  7. "Persons have in a great measure the command of their 

      thoughts."
  8. "Persons can set apart a suitable proportion of their time 

      for these things."
  9. "Persons can improve divine assistance that is given."
10. "They can lay out their strength in these things as well as 

      other things."

ADVICE FOR SEEKERS
Charles H. Spurgeon

Before a man becomes a Christian he has many false ideas about God?s way of salvation. These errors frequently prevent seekers coming to Jesus Christ and trusting him wholly.

In Advice For Seekers Spurgeon deals with these problems one by one. Before his own conversion he found many difficulties in coming to Christ, even though he had much biblical knowledge. The seeker will find a sympathetic counsellor in Spurgeon.

PUNDIT'S FOLLY
Sinclair B. Ferguson

The World is a sea of glass: a pageant of fond delight, a theatre of vanity, a labyrinth of error, a gulf of grief, a sty of filthiness, a vale of misery, a spectacle of woe, a river of tears, a stage of deceit, a cage full of devils, a den of scorpions, a wilderness of wolves, a cabin of bears, a whirlwind of passions, a feigned comedy, a delectable frenzy; where is false delight, assured grief; certain sorrow, uncertain pleasure; lasting woe, fickle wealth; long heaviness, short joy.

Sinclair B. Ferguson is minister of St. George's-Tron Church, Glasgow, Scotland. He is the author of Discovering God's Will, The Christian Life, A Heart for God, The Sermon on the Mount, Deserted by God? and other books.

AROUND THE WICKET GATE
or
A Friendly Talk with Seekers Concerning
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Charles H. Spurgeon (Phil Johnson's Spurgeon Archives)
Preface
Awakening
Jesus Only
Faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus
Faith Very Simple
Fearing to Believe
Difficulty in the Way of Believing
A Helpful Survey
A Real Hindrance
On Raising Questions
Without Faith No Salvation
To Those Who Have Believed