Part 2 – The Christian Faith: How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place (10/19/08)

NOTE: The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]

In some Christian circles it is the accepted norm to encourage fellow Christians to give their personal testimonies of the circumstances leading up to their “Conversion.” Also, gratifying to some of these groups is the acceptance of various testimonies being able to relate not only the year of one becoming a Christian, but also the very month and day, down to the particular hour and moment of the “Conversion experience.” The very “Experience” is celebrated so much so, that some Christians have developed a Christian “litmus” test for other Christians. Their contention goes like this: “If you truly are a Christian, then you should know the exact time attending your conversion experience.”

Scripture has no “litmus” test [time frame] for a Christian’s conversion experience:

Certainly there are historical recorded experiences of individual Christians that have come into the Christian Faith. There is no doubt about that, as some Christians have written through diary or journal personal practice the transformation that took them from an unbelieving state into the believing state of being what the Christian Scriptures designate, as being, “Saved.” [Note: Last week’s message dealt with the meaning of the Christian terms: Being “saved,” and, “believing]:”

PART 1 – The Christian Faith – What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?” (10/12/08)

Scripture, itself, records the immediate transformations of certain individuals who went from an unconverted [unbelieving] to a converted [believing] state. Perhaps, the most famous and familiar is that of the Apostle Paul. [Acts 9:1-22 ; Acts 26:1-19]Other well known examples are the Ethiopian eunuch and the Philippian jailer. [Acts 8:26-39 ; Acts 16:16-34]

The Christian conversion experience is not restricted to a certain time frame:

Although there are many examples of Christians knowing the time period of their personal conversion to the Christian Faith from their unconverted [unsaved / unbelieving] state; and, although there are Scriptural recorded examples – the Scripture itself testifies to the reality that coming into the Christian Faith [being converted / saved] can be an experience that can happen without the new Christian becoming aware of it. Such truth is wonderfully explained by the Lord Christ, Himself in His conversation to a religious leader, Nicodemus, who (for fear of the religious establishment) came to Christ, under the cover of darkness. [John 3:1-21] Following [for purposes of this message] is what Christ stated to Nicodemus:

“…..The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” [John 3:8]

Being “Saved” / “Believing” is totally and completely an act that issues forth from the Triune God, Himself:

The conversion process and act, whereby a person who is not a Christian, becomes, a Christian -- is of Divine origin. The Scriptures make this very clear. [Ephesians 2:1-10 ; John 1:13 ; Galatians 1:15-16] Other Scriptures reveal the same. [1 Kings 18:36-37 ; 1 Corinthians 12:3 ; Galatians 1:6 ; 1 Peter 1:3-25 -- Note: Verse, 3 ; Verses, 18-19 and Verse 23]

Note: Please read the short message: “The often overlooked aspect about the ‘New Birth’” (1/20/08):
Also, further note: The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed -- A Concise Explanation

No one or no well meaning Christian should attempt to second guess another Christian’s conversion experience:

I clearly remember a well meaning Christian family member questioning my elderly mother’s Christian Faith. He asked her: “How do you know that you are saved?” To that Mom responded: “Because I believe God’s promises.” What simplicity of response! And, what better response? Mom’s Christian faith was not based upon her own feeling or upon her own experience, but rested totally upon the merits of her Creator God! [Philippians 2:13] Her faith was based upon the Triune God’s written [Holy Scripture] revelation. There was no doubt in her heart, mind and life, but full assurance that what God had revealed, was believed and accepted by her!

The "element" of "Faith" to believe God's Word [The Holy Scriptures] is a God given gift. [Ephesians 2:8] Faith is, as the Bible declares: "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews11:1] Again, I emphasize, that faith is a Divine gift. [Romans 12:3] My mother was confident to declare her [God given] faith in God's trustworthy revelation promises as the Apostle Paul [writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit] was also confident to declare his faith:

"......I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”....... [Galatians 2:20-21]

It is so easy for we humans to “second guess” another person – and, in the arena of faith, to second guess their spiritual and eternal status. But we must remember, what the Scripture says – that “Salvation” belongs to the Lord [Psalm 3:7-8 ; Isaiah 43:11 ; Isaiah 45:21-22]
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Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"
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This Sunday’s Message, Related Scriptures:

Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures:

Psalm 25 – Especially verse 4-5 and 8-9. The “Lord” is not called “Lord” for nothing. He is the initiating force and factor in the life of a child of God.

New Testament Christian Scriptures

The Gospel of John, Chapter 3:1-21 – Christ must illuminate the needy and sinful human soul. In the Greek language, the phrase in verse 3 is: being born “from above.” This correlates with John 1:12-13. Even though a sinner is commanded to repent and believe, that process initiates from the good and gracious action of a loving Triune God. [Philippians 2:13]

The Epistle of 1st Peter 1:21 and verse 23 – The Lord’s initiating action at work in the believing soul
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The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3:

1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?

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Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Pastor Nathan Bickel – Bay City, MI

Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel