You’re Now A Christian

by Micky Galloway

Recently, I baptized three young men. They have attended all their lives here in Lancaster. Their youth reminded me of my young age when I was baptized into Christ June 5, 1969. Shortly after I was baptized, I was given a note by a beloved brother that I have kept in my drawer for a long time. The paper has turned yellow and the folds are getting thin, but I take it out and read it every once in a while to remind me of who I am and what I became on the evening of June 5th. The thoughts of that note are sobering.

“You’re now a Christian, a member of Christ’s church.” Sometimes we forget that Christ promised to build HIS church. “Upon this rock I will build MY church” (Matthew 16:18). It is His because He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). He built only ONE, “my church” (singular). Jesus is the Savior of that spiritual body, the church (Ephesians 5:23; cf. Acts 2:47). You too, can be a member of His church.

“There is no greater step that you could have taken.” God wants all sinners to be saved (II Peter 3:9; Titus 2:11). “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All have been separated from God because of sin, therefore all are in need of salvation which is in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). We must hear, believe, and obey His commands to be saved (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47). This is exactly what the early Christians did and taught (Acts 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27). We can know we are forgiven of past sins if we will do these things. Saul of Tarsus was instructed, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). There is no greater step than the response of Saul, “… he arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18).

“There will never be any good reason why you should ever be ashamed of the confession that you made.” Paul called it the “good confession” (I Timothy 6:12). The Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip, “Behold, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:36-37). Some were ashamed to make this confession. The believing rulers of the synagogue would not confess their faith lest they be cast out of the synagogue. “They loved the glory of men more than the glory of God” (John 12:42-43). Jesus said, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and (the glory) of the Father, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). Never be ashamed that you are a Christian.

“I want to encourage you to study God’s word.” Study is essential to help our faith grow. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God …” (II Timothy 2:15 KJV). We must know what we believe and why we believe it. Peter said we are to be, “ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). We can also stand against those who would teach us error. Knowing some would pervert the Scriptures, Peter commanded that we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Some day we may be responsible for converting others. Paul said to young Timothy, “And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2).

“I want to encourage you to live a life that will be acceptable to Him.” Our desire is not to please men. We must live a different (transformed) life. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, (which is) your spiritual service” (Romans 12:1-2). We may have to suffer wrongfully to please Him. “For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully” (I Peter 2:19). Paul lived that “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20). Remember who you are and who you are trying to please.

“I admire your courage to become a Christian … Keep that same courage as you grow.” Becoming a Christian is not easy. When we are baptized into Christ for remission of past sin, we have taken a firm stand against the devil. He is described as our “adversary.” He is our enemy and he seeks to consume us as a “roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). He is called the “god of this world,” “the prince of the powers of the air …” (II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). He seeks to blind us from the glorious light of the gospel. He is now actively working “in the sons of disobedience” to destroy us and as many as he can influence. He attacks our homes, our morals, the church, etc. in every way. Let us courageously, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (I Timothy 6:12), seeking to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5).

“Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth” quoted from Ecclesiastes 12:1. Youth is a very special time. However, the writer, advanced in years, had enjoyed and suffered much. The counsel he offers to youth is based upon extensive firsthand knowledge, observations, and reflections from a lifetime of living. Many make a mess out of life during youth that costs a lifetime of sorrow. Paul warned Timothy, “But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (II Timothy 2:22). Think about who made you from your earliest days. You are not here to gratify the passions of the flesh, but you are responsible before God for the choices you make that you may serve and glorify him from your youth up.

That little piece of paper I keep in my desk drawer contains some very encouraging words. Often when I baptize a young person, I get out that very worn yellow page and copy those words I hope will be as encouraging to them they are to me. May these words be indelibly stamped on their minds. I want these young people to remember who they are: “You’re now a Christian, a member of Christ’s church.”