Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be Christian?
Why bother with Christianity?
What's involved in becoming a Christian?















Being Christian.

Some people think that being born in the UK, a so-called "Christian Country", makes them into a "Christian". Others think that trying to behave in an honest, upright and respectable manner makes them "Christian". Yet others may think that some outward signs like regular church attendance, saying prayers, being baptised/confirmed, wearing a crucifix or whatever, will see them right.

Christians are not, in fact, "good" people; they are all "sinners"! The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3::23); and that "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10); and even "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).

So, if we cannot become good enough by our own efforts, if even our best efforts are tainted by selfishness and hypocracy, what then must we do to be saved?

The answer is that Jesus Christ has already accepted the punishment that should rightfully have fallen on each one of us. Forgiveness is ours for the taking if only we recognise our need for it and allow Jesus to motivate our lives as a personal Saviour.






Why bother with Christianity?

The same God who created us also requires that we should be righteous as he is: "You are to be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). We hardly need to be convinced that this is not the case. Therefore we can only expect punishment from a holy God who demands a standard of righteousness that we are quite incapable of living up to.

It might seem that this is quite an unreasonable position for God to take. Nevertheless, it remains true that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4), and again "the wages of sin is death ..." (Romans 6:23). And we cannot, in all honesty, argue with the justice of it.

Fortunately however, being not only a holy and righteous Judge but also a loving heavenly Father, he has also provided the means for our reconciliation: "... but the gift of God is eternal life".






What's involved in becoming a Christian?

First of all, you need to ask the question, "What then must I do to be saved?". If you don't see yourself as you really are, and don't feel the desperate need for forgiveness in the presence of the Holy God, then you won't ask this question.

The answer given by the apostle Peter was, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38).

What exactly does that mean in practice? "Repent" means to recognise your sinful and unworthy ways, and to make a firm resolve to reject these paths for your future life. Unfortunately, you will not succeed in this endeavour however hard you try!

This is why the second part of Peter's answer is so important. By making public confession of your commitment to Jesus, and by humbly accepting his rule over all aspects of your life, you allow him to start a process whereby he undertakes to present your soul faultless on the Day of Judgement, when "everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13).

In short, can you feel in your heart, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)?