Faith & Reason Nexus

Becoming part of God’s family, the Church, is a spiritual process that is different from entering an earthly family. While the earthly family is entered through physical birth or adoption, the spiritual family is entered through spiritual birth. Below are the steps outlined in Scripture that one must take to become a member of God’s family:

1. Hear the Gospel

• Romans 1:16: The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, both Jews and Gentiles.
• Romans 10:14: Before someone can believe, they must hear the message of Christ. Hearing the Gospel is essential for coming to faith.

2. Believe

• Hebrews 11:6: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is foundational.
• Mark 16:15-16: Belief in the Gospel message is necessary for salvation. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.
• Luke 13:3, 5: Jesus emphasizes that repentance and belief are essential for salvation; without them, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God.

3. Repent of Sins

• Acts 2:38: Repentance is a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. It is necessary for forgiveness.
• Matthew 10:32-33: Confessing Christ and repenting of sin go hand in hand. A person must not deny Christ but openly declare Him in their life.

4. Confess Christ

• Acts 8:36-37: The Ethiopian eunuch confessed that he believed Jesus Christ was the Son of God before his baptism.
• Matthew 10:32-33: Jesus promises that those who confess Him before men will be confessed before God. Confession is a public acknowledgment of faith.

5. Be Baptized

• Acts 22:16: Baptism is the point at which one is washed from sin and fully enters into the spiritual family. Ananias instructed Paul to “be baptized and wash away your sins.”
• Acts 2:38: Peter told the crowd to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, marking baptism as an essential step in becoming a part of God’s family.

Summary

To become a member of God’s family, one must:

1. Hear the Gospel (Romans 1:16, Romans 10:14)
2. Believe in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16:15-16)
3. Repent of sins (Acts 2:38, Matthew 10:32-33)
4. Confess Christ (Acts 8:36-37)
5. Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38)

Through these steps, an individual is spiritually born into God’s family, receiving forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.