Muslims, Let's Talk

What is a Christian?

Most simply put, a Christian is one who believes in and follows Jesus the Messiah.  We read about the origin of the name "Christian" in the Book of Acts, the account of the workings of the Lord in the early days of the Church: "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."   (Acts 11:25-26 NIV)

So the word "Christian" is a biblical word for a follower of Christ.  It occurs again in the Book of Acts when the Apostle Paul is on trial before King Agrippa:  "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?'"  (Acts 26:28 NIV)

In the context of the persecution which was common in the days of the Early Church, Simon Peter says, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."  (1 Peter 4:16 NIV)

Though there are many Christian denominations, the important thing we see in Jesus' own words is that those who truly follow His teachings are not simply followers of a religious faith but have been changed by an act of the Lord in their lives.  Jesus called this being "born again": 

 

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
                                                                                                                  (John 3:1-8 NIV)

We understand that a true Christian, then, is a person whose life has been changed by the Spirit (the Holy Spirit).  In human terms, the way to best illustrate this is the picture Jesus used: being "born again."  Because this is a creative act of the Lord, the human mind cannot fully understand it.  

How, then, does a person become a Christian?

If being born again is something the Lord does, then how does a person become a Christian?  Some Muslim people have wondered about this, especially as becoming a follower of Islam involves some very concrete acts on the part of the new Muslim.  For example, the new Muslim must give witness to his or her adopted faith through reciting the Shahadah (Muslim creed).  

There is no defined creed or prayer that a person must recite to become a Christian.  The important thing is for a person to acknowledge that he or she is a sinner who has broken God's law and is unable to remove his or her own guilt and shame.  Someone who is ready to follow Jesus the Messiah is someone who knows that their good works cannot make them right with the Lord or help them on the day of judgment.  Instead, they confess their sins to God and put their faith in Jesus as the One who died on the cross for them, rose again from the dead, and the only One who is able to remove their shame and give them the power to live a righteous life.  This confession of sins and declaration of faith is often done in the form of a prayer to the Lord in which the person asks for His forgiveness based on faith in Jesus the Messiah (see example prayer below).

How do our good works fit in?

Many people do not like the idea that our good works cannot make us acceptable to the Lord.  It seems to some people that a person could simply believe in Jesus the Messiah and then live as he or she pleases.  Why not?

The Bible makes it very clear that a person who has been changed by the Lord (born again) will live a life that demonstrates this change.  Good works are proof of what has happened to us.  Good works do not bring that change.  The change brings the good works. 

It is written in the Holy Injil that when a person is "in Christ" (another way of saying "born again") he is a "new creation":  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)  The One who created us the first time has the power to do it again!  Good works are an expression of this new life that we are given: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:9 NIV)  When we perform good works we are simply living in obedience to the plan that the Lord has for us and giving thanks for what He has already done in our lives.  Of course, the effect of our good works on the lives of others cannot even be measured!

An example prayer

The following prayer is an example of how a person can pray at the time of becoming a Christian.  It is not the only way to pray but some may find it helpful as a guide.

Almighty Lord, You who alone are worthy of all my obedience and worship.  I know in my heart that I am a sinner and that I do not deserve your forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus the Messiah died in my place, to take the punishment for sin and shame that I deserve.  I believe that He rose again from death and that He has the authority to give me new life.  I now declare my faith in Jesus the Messiah as my Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

I have prayed this prayer today.  What comes next?
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