i want to be a christian
"It was in Antioch that the disciples were called Christians for the first time." —Acts 11:26
What does God mean by the name "Christian"? According to Acts of the Apostles, to be a Christian means:
- to believe in Jesus and be converted to the Lord (Acts 11:21),
- to repent and be baptized into Jesus (Acts 2:38; Rm 6:3),
- to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4),
- to remain firm in our "commitment to the Lord" (Acts 11:23),
- to witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8), spread God's word (Acts 12:24), and to lead others to the Lord (see Acts 11:24),
- to be taught intensively for a year or more about our new life in Christ (Acts 11:26; Acts 2:42; Acts 19:9-10),
- to continue steadfastly in a Christian communal life (Acts 2:42),
- to center our lives on the breaking of the bread, that is, the Eucharist (Acts 2:42),
- to devote ourselves to praying together with other Christians (Acts 2:42; 1:14),
- to be submissive to the authority of the Church's leaders (see Acts 15:2ff), and
- to suffer for love of Jesus.
In Acts of the Apostles, there are many other essential aspects of being a Christian besides those just mentioned. Additionally, of course, there are many other essentials of being a Christian mentioned in other books of the Bible. Being a Christian is a new, radical, deep, free, and abundant way of life. Are you a Christian by God's standards?
Prayer: Father, I want to be a Christian.
Promise: "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." —Jn 10:27-28
Praise: Bonnie prayed for nine years for Sharon's conversion. After her conversion, Bonnie led her to receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of praising God in tongues.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, October 9, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 17, 1998