What Makes an Individual a Christian - Part 5b

Words of Christ in red

Verse repetition is healthy; the more you read, the sooner the Word of God becomes like an old friend

We have been studying “What Makes an Individual a Christian.” It is very simple:

FAITH makes an individual a Christian

It is through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the forgiveness of sin, and the promise of God for everlasting life.

Faith comes from being exposed to the word of God:

Romans 10:17  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Biblically, Jesus Christ is the only Way to salvation:

Acts 4:12  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

One must only believe (faith in action) on Jesus Christ for salvation:

Acts 16:30-31  “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

It is through faith one is saved:

Ephesians 2:8  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Salvation is available for anyone who believes:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

~ Short Study: Faith in Jesus’ Death ~

God has accepted Jesus’ vicarious death as the sufficient payment for everyone's sins; however, only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness are released from having to suffer their own punishment for all eternity.

~ Vicarious death means “suffered in the place of another”

John 3:16-17  “For God so loved the world {mankind}, that he gave his only begotten {to have born; brought forth} Son {Jesus Christ}, that whosoever believeth {anyone who believes} in him should not perish {eternal punishment}, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn {judge} the world; but that the world through him might be saved {rescued; born again}.”

Romans 5:8  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

“while we were yet sinners” – we are not worthy for Jesus to have died in our place; but, because of God’s great love for us Jesus died

Romans 8:34a  “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died…”

Philippians 2:8  “And being found in fashion {appearance} as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death {submitted to the will of God}, even the death of the cross.”

1 Corinthians 15:3  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

“according to the scriptures” – historically and prophetically

2 Corinthians 5:21  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Ephesians 1:7  “In whom we have redemption through his blood {the blood He shed}, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace {unmerited favor};”

1 Timothy Chapter 2:3-6  “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

~ Expanded Study:  Faith in Jesus’ Death ~

Because of Jesus’ death, your sin debt is paid in full:

John 3:16-17  “For God so loved the world {mankind}, that he gave his only begotten {to have born} Son {Jesus Christ}, that whosoever believeth {anyone who believes} in him should not perish {eternal punishment in Hell}, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn {judge} the world; but that the world through him might be saved {rescued; born again}.”

Romans 5:8  ““But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:32  “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Ephesians 2:4  “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

2 Thessalonians 2:16  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,”

1 John 4:9-10  “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

1 John 5:13  “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (This verse was written to Believers for assurance of their salvation)

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

“while we were yet sinners” – not worthy for Jesus to die for us; but, because of God’s great love for us Jesus died

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

1 Peter 3:18  “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins {paid in full on the cross}, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened {made alive} by the Spirit {Holy Spirit}:”

1 John 4:10  “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation {appeasing; atonement} for our sins.”

Romans 8:34  “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession {intercedes} for us.”

Philippians 2:8  “And being found in fashion {appearance} as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death {submitted to the will of God}, even the death of the cross.”

“death of the cross” – brutal, humiliating, excruciating, agony; the Romans and the Greeks learned this torturous practice from the Phoenicians to use in "capital punishment" cases; Jesus was absolutely sinless and not guilty of any crime, but was crucified

Matthew 26:39  “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup {wrath of God} pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Hebrews 5:8  “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

Hebrews 12:2  “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Though He suffered agony it was to Jesus a joy to provide eternal life for all who believe)

John 10:17-18  “Therefore doth my Father love me {Jesus}, because I lay down my life {voluntarily gave}, that I might take it again {rise from the dead}.” 18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again {deity of Christ and power over death}. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

Galatians 3:13  “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Perfectly sinless, Christ died as “one cursed” to save us from eternal punishment in Hell

1 Corinthians 15:3  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

“according to the scriptures” – historically and prophetically

Psalm 16:10  “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

John 20:9  “For as yet they knew {understood} not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

Acts 26:23  “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead {resurrect}, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”

Genesis 3:15  “And I will put enmity {related to the word "enemy"} between thee {Satan} and the woman, and between thy seed {Satan's people} and her seed {God's people}; it {He; Christ} shall bruise {crush} thy {Satan's} head, and thou shalt bruise his {Christ's} heel {Christ being bruised on the cross}.”

Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible; God says the enemy of the human race is none other than Satan; Redemption was promised by God and would come through "the seed of a woman" (without a man); Christ has crushed the kingdom of Satan and will cast him into the lake of fire in the future

Psalm 22:15  “My strength is dried up like a potsherd {clay pottery}; and my tongue cleaveth {sticks} to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.”

Isaiah 53:5-9  “But he was wounded {pierced through} for our transgressions {sins}, he was bruised {utterly crushed} for our iniquities {evils}: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes {blows that cut in; wounds} we are healed {made whole spiritually}.” 6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him {violently struck; God's violent wrath} the iniquity of us all.” 7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought {was led} as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” 8 “He was taken from prison {out of oppression} and from judgment {justice; illegally and illegitimately tried}: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” 9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death {buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea - wealthy man)}; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

Daniel 9:26  “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off {suffer death; crucifixion of Christ}, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Luke 24:25-27  “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:” 26 “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” 27 “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he expounded {taught} unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

1 Peter 2:24  “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree {cross}, that we, being dead to sins {spiritually dead; lost}, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes {cutting blows; wounds} ye were healed.”

2 Corinthians 5:21  “For he {God the Father} hath made him {His Son, Jesus} to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness {condition acceptable and approved of God} of God in him.”

Isaiah 53:6  “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity {evils} of us all.”

Isaiah 53:9  “And he made his grave with the wicked {between two thieves}, and with the rich in his death {buried in a rich man's tomb}; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

Galatians 3:13  “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

1 Peter 2:22  “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”

Hebrews 4:15  “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 7:26  “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

Jeremiah 23:6  “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Daniel 9:24  “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

Romans 1:17  “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Philippians 3:9  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above very name:”

Ephesians 1:7  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Romans 3:24-25  “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” 25 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation {appeasing; atonement} through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God:”

1 Corinthians 6:20  “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Colossians 1:14  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Hebrews 9:12  “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Revelation 5:9  “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”

1 Timothy Chapter 2:3 – 6  “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will {desires to} have all men {all people} to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator {redeemer; Savior} between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due {proper} time.”

“to be testified” – a testimony/proof; Jesus’ death proves God desires all to be saved

1 Corinthians 1:6  “Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:”

Romans 12:2  “And be not conformed {aligned with} to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 3:29-30  “Is he that God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:” 30 “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision {Jews} by faith, and uncircumcision {Gentiles; non-Jews} through faith.”

Isaiah 55:1  “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, by, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

Isaiah 55:7  “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Ezekiel 18:23  “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”

Ezekiel 18:32  “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

Mark 10:45  “For even the Son of man {name Jesus called Himself during His humanity} came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 17:3  “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.”

2 Peter 3:9  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance {change ones mind about Christ; turn from rejection and denial to acceptance of Whom Jesus is - Saviour}.”

Hebrews 9:15  “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament {covenant; under grace}, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament {Old Testament Law; manner of atonement (animal sacrifices)}, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Galatians 1:4  “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

Galatians 2:20  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 3:20  “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one {not only one}, but God is one.”

Galatians 4:4  “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman made under the law,”

1 Timothy 1:1  “Paul, and apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

1 Timothy 4:10  “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

2 Timothy 1:9  “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,”

2 Timothy 2:25  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”