How can I convert to a true Christian?

How to Convert to Christianity

So you've been thinking and you want to convert to Christianity. These are a few steps to help you learn how to convert.

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   Start with exploration: visit different Christian meetings, churches in your area, and see how you feel. Conversion is a journey that you may start out with one congregation or a home Bible study group and then decide to go to another. Do not depend or rely on what others do, if you would receive Jesus Christ.
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   Get a Bible. A Bible is a universal book you can find in many places. A Bible contains both the Jewish scriptures and the Christian scriptures together.

   • The portion of the bible that you'll want to read to understand Christianity is called the New Testament. It contains the history of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of his disciples, especially of St. Paul, who explained the tenants of Christianity in great detail. You will learn about love, hope, salvation by grace, and doing good works appointed to you but not to buy grace which is free (a gift of God), and forgiving the wrongs of others and much more.
   • As you read, there may be times when you become lost or confused. If so, you can ask believers about scriptures, including teachers, priests, pastors, search the Bible, online or in Christian books. Just keep in mind that some teachings differ among different denominations, so at times, you may receive conflicting "answers" to your questions. Keep in mind that Satan is the author of confusion, but God is the author of mercy, grace and peace (choose God's way of grace).
   • The most popular English Bible for Protestants for over 400 years has been the King James Bible. It is important to consider that English speaking Roman Catholics use the Douay-Rheims Bible (with Apocrypha), whereas Protestants use Bibles with 66 books (omitting the Apocrypha by excluding several Jewish writings, of chapters and books of obscure origins such as Esdras and Maccabees, etc.).
     
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   Take the time to learn the teachings and practices of the churches you choose to visit and feel free to ask questions. A good way to examine beliefs of a church is to read the particular church's Statement of Faith, a list of basic beliefs and compare it to others.

   • There are many Christian denominations, including Anglican, Assembly of God (and other Pentecostal denominations), Baptist, Christian (denomination), Churches of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox (Eastern, Greek, Russian), Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and United Church of Christ. There are other Protestant groups, with some called "nondenominational", "not affiliated with (____)" or "independent (____)" churches of one kind or another.
   • Although all Christians share belief in Jesus Christ, each denomination has its own unique emphases on certain teachings, traditions, customs, and beliefs. Different groups form consensus on understandings of different doctrines about The Sacraments, The Triune God (versus Arian Belief concerning God), pastor, order of services, offices of bishop, presbyter and such, deacon, marriage, healing, prophesies, praying to saints, speaking unknown tongues, formalities, rituals, written prayers, or informality, pray as the Spirit of God gives utterance, etc.
   • It is wise to research organizations very carefully and thoroughly before you get involved with them too deeply. Some people have had negative experiences because they rushed into a group too quickly before finding out all about it. Don't let yourself be rushed into a commitment to a group until you feel comfortable. Beware falling under the sway of manipulative religious leaders who won't respect your right to make your own decisions or who try to control your life in an unhealthy manner.
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   Find a pastor or priest, to help you. He or she may help you find all the answers to the questions you need to know.
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   Choose a Church to fellowship and to follow Christ. Find a church near you, or one that you like. Go to that church and talk to the pastor or priest, attend church services or mass whenever you can, and visit this Church any day of the week that your soul calls you to.
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   Be willing to accept the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart. Converting to Christianity is based on your belief that Jesus is God's only begotten Son and does all manner of miracles including Salvation. Christianity starts with getting saved by trusting Christ to save you, and then entails living a good and godly life that is pleasing to God. Both are important.
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   "Be saved by believing the Christian gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This means that you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Since he paid for your sins you can be forgiven, and because he rose again he has power to give you eternal life. Believing this message you respond, "Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins and rose again, so now please save me, a sinner." That saves you and begins your Christian life.

   • A key passage describing salvation is Romans 10:9-10, "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."Romans 10:9-10"
     
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   Become Baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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   Receive Baptism and Holy Communion, rites that some churches call Ordinances, and which other churches call part of the Sacraments.
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    Learn the Christian creeds: The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.

    • Many churches have somewhat different confessions of faith and/or catechisms that are based upon their own interpretation of the Christian creeds, Holy Ordinances, system of church organization, and other matters. See, for example, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Formula of Concord, the Westminster Confession, the Anglican 39 Articles, the 1689 Baptist Confession, the 1919 Doctrinal Statement of the World Conference on Christian Fundamentals, and others.
      
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    Follow Jesus Christ and be sure you are a Christian by God's grace through faith, believing: you might not have a local church, pastor or be able to get baptized, because maybe you are in a country that does not contain any churches or not many priests, pastors, (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Libya,...). Be sure that your relationship with Jesus is not based on formalities, such as baptizing but is based on your personal belief in Him, following Him (and His teachings). Yes, be baptized by another believer, if you can, but the most important baptism for a Christian is his spiritual baptism into Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27).
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    When you receive the Holy Spirit(officially become a Christian), do anything you can to strengthen your faithand belief in Jesus.

    • Christianity is about God's love, so start showing His love that you received freely, to others such as being willing to forgive everyone and anyone who has wronged you. Jesus said, "You have heard, 'Love your neighbor', but I say to you,
      
      'Love your enemy, and do good to those who hate you and spitefully use you.' ". We may try to fail miserably -- but God's supply including grace is sufficient, for the boundless grace/mercy of God is the power of God unto salvation, not by work, lest any boast.
    • Do good deeds. This is essential for every Christian. "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. " Titus 3:8; "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17. Jesus Christ has said, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12.
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    Become committed to praising God, giving thanks for all things, acknowledging Him in all areas of life.Always pray, remaining in a spirit of prayer in every circumstance, even if to say only, "Thank you Lord." Also, in all things, glorify God by how you live your life.