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(The purpose of this page is to offer a brief presentation of the gospel.
It tells, in brief, what one must do to become a Christian.)
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<FONT size=+1><A href="CDS.html">(This information is now available on audio
CD!)</A></FONT>
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<FONT size=+1><A href="becoming-fs.html" TARGET="_top">(If you need more
detail, please read this!)</A></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>It's possible that you are reading these
words and are a little "fuzzy" about just how one goes about becoming a
Christian.</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>Some people think that to become a Christian
they must join a church. Some believe that they must simply stop doing bad
things and start doing good things. Some believe it's a matter of having
a good attitude. Some believe that if you pray often, you must be a Christian.
Others think it is a matter of what family or nation you are born into--their
family was Christian, so they assume that they must be too.</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>Actually all these things are peripheral
matters at best. (At worst, they are dangerously incorrect!)</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>If you want to become a Christian, it's
extremely simple. If you pray a prayer along the lines of the prayer below
(these are not magic words--it's your <I>heart</I> that counts), and MEAN
what you say, as soon as you pray it, you will be a Christian! God promises
Eternal Life to all who truly believe!</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>First, here are some relevant verses
from the Bible that serve as a basis for the prayer: <I>(If you find yourself
a bit skeptical, <A href="skeptics-fs.html" TARGET="_top">you may want to
click here first</A>.)</I></FONT></FONT>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+2>Background Verses</FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish,
but have eternal life."<I> (John 3:16)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"If you confess with your mouth Jesus
as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you
shall be saved." <I>(Romans 10:9)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"But as many as received Him, to them
He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in
His name." <I>(John 1:12)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"For by grace you have been saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as
a result of works, that no one should boast." <I>(Ephesians
2:8-9)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will
dine with him, and he with Me."<I>(Revelation 3:20)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>"If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness."<I>(I John 1:9)</I></FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+2>Prayer</FONT></FONT></B>
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<B><I><FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+2>"Lord Jesus, I believe that you
are God the Son, Who became a human being like me in order to give Your life
for me. I believe that you defeated death and hell when you rose to life
from the dead. I confess that I have sinned, and I'm sorry for my sin. Come
into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. The desire of my heart
is to live my life for You. Enable me to be the person You want me to be.
Thank you for forgiving my sin, and for giving me eternal
life."</FONT></FONT></I></B>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>You see, eternal life is not something
we can earn by being good enough. It is a gift that has been purchased for
us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our response is to receive it with humility
and gratitude!</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>If you prayed that prayer for the first
time today, or if you are not quite ready to pray the prayer but have some
questions, <A href="mailto:steve@aboundingjoy.com">send us email</A> and
let us know! We'll pray for you and try to answer any questions you might
have!</FONT></FONT>
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<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>And we promise--NO PRESSURE OR
MANIPULATION!</FONT></FONT>
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<B><FONT size=+3>Need a Little More Information?</FONT></B>
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<FONT size=+1><A href="becoming-fs.html" TARGET="_top">A fuller explanation
of what the Bible teaches about receiving Eternal Life can be found
here</A></FONT>.
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<HR>
<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>Skeptical? Not quite ready to pray the
prayer, but willing to try a private experiment?
<A href="skeptics.htm#conclusion" TARGET="main">Click
here.</A></FONT></FONT>
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<P>
<FONT color="#000000"><FONT size=+1>Going through the fire?
<A href="fiery-fs.html" TARGET="_top">Click here for help from the
Scriptures!</A></FONT></FONT>
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<B><FONT size=+2><A href="index.html" TARGET="_top">Go to Abounding Joy Home
Page</A></FONT></B>
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<B><FONT size=+2><A href="mailto:steve@aboundingjoy.com">Send us
email!</A></FONT></B>
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