I want to become a Christian

[born again loading]

I am from South Africa. I attend an Assemblies of God church. We are a bit more conservative to other churches. We still sing hymns with an organ only :smile:.

For Christian discussion and learning you can't beat a site like this one. I have been a regular on sites like this for a while now and my knowledge has increased exponentially from discussions. I highly recommend you make full use of this platform for growth. It truly does work.

Reading is good, but discussion is better. You will learn different view points on a site like this. Just reading won't help you to be objective. Unless it is the bible. So if you say you want to read about Christianity I would propose you just start reading the New Testament of the Bible and then discuss what intrigues you here. Once you are more learned, there are very good Christian 'apologetic' sites to visit.

I would love to summarize the Bible for you. It such an amazing read when you read the Old testament with the New. Everything falls into place and makes such perfect sense. From God creating mankind with intelligence, knowing they would need a Savior, so planning Jesus from before He created us (1 Pet 1:20), to choosing Abraham, to life after the cross. The Bible contains all we need to know. There is so much truth to get from it. After a while one starts to better grasp God and what drives Him. How good and loving He is. Reading the NT helps shine much needed light on the OT. Grasp where mankind went wrong with religion and why. Just so much to discuss. You should really start reading the NT as soon as possible.

Ops, your words very good i think you right that discuss is better
I find این کتاب‌مقدس را به زبان فارسی - Farsi (Persian) دانلود کنید. دانلود کنید و یا آنلاین بخوانید ٪۱۰۰ رایگان and کتاب مقدس در فارسی [فارسی] زبان با داستان های صوتی - The Holy Bible in the Farsi [Persian] language with audio narration, Now is time to start reading Bible in Persian
just what is different between NT and OT ?!
why there are two version?! I cant understand!!!

 

[amadeus2]

Amen
It was a good prayer,thank you
I am looking for the true religion and I think that it is Christ.
But I need a stronger reason to believe

What you need is to be drawn by the Father to Jesus. Below are Jesus' word on this:

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. " John 6:44

Then again Jesus said this:

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

So then, "Ask" so that "a stronger reason to believe" will be given to you.

And then again:

"Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. " James 4:2-3

 

[amadeus2]

Ops, your words very good i think you right that discuss is better
I find این کتاب‌مقدس را به زبان فارسی - Farsi (Persian) دانلود کنید. دانلود کنید و یا آنلاین بخوانید ٪۱۰۰ رایگان and کتاب مقدس در فارسی [فارسی] زبان با داستان های صوتی - The Holy Bible in the Farsi [Persian] language with audio narration, Now is time to start reading Bible in Persian
just what is different between NT and OT ?!
why there are two version?! I cant understand!!!

The OT speaks of God's work with people from the time of the first sin to the time when Messiah actually arrived to make a real way out of sin and into God. While God dealt primarily with the children of Jacob the son of Isaac the son of Abraham in those older writings of the OT, it all leads to a better Way through the Messiah... if we can understand God's plan. The Jews, themselves [Israelites] for the most part do not accept that Jesus was their anticipated Messiah. We, that is Christians, believe is the Messiah prophesied throughout OT.

The NT writes first of the arrival of that Messiah declaring that He was and is Jesus. The NT provides the light to see what the OT was always saying. We need God's help to fully understand all that God is speaking to people in both the OT and the NT. God has always had a plan so that people who would could come to Him. Jesus is the most important part of that plan today.

 

[Hekuran]

I am looking for the true religion and I think that it is Christ.
But I need a stronger reason to believe

What would help you to decide whether to believe or reject Jesus?

 

[born again loading]

What would help you to decide whether to believe or reject Jesus?

Truth
Value for Humanity
Justice
Equality
...

 

[Hekuran]

Very good answer! I'll do my best with a reply, but it will take me a little time.

May God bless you

 

[Dave M]

Saeed

I hope you are doing well, know you are in my prayers. and Praise Jesus !!

 

[born again loading]

The OT speaks of God's work with people from the time of the first sin to the time when Messiah actually arrived to make a real way out of sin and into God. While God dealt primarily with the children of Jacob the son of Isaac the son of Abraham in those older writings of the OT, it all leads to a better Way through the Messiah... if we can understand God's plan. The Jews, themselves [Israelites] for the most part do not accept that Jesus was their anticipated Messiah. We, that is Christians, believe is the Messiah prophesied throughout OT.

The NT writes first of the arrival of that Messiah declaring that He was and is Jesus. The NT provides the light to see what the OT was always saying. We need God's help to fully understand all that God is speaking to people in both the OT and the NT. God has always had a plan so that people who would could come to Him. Jesus is the most important part of that plan today.

Thanks you
we can say that OT is about Moses and NT is about Jesus. So Judaism is a subset of Christianity, interesting. in other words Judaism is subreligion and this is TRUTH of Christianity
was very helpful

 

[born again loading]

What you need is to be drawn by the Father to Jesus. Below are Jesus' word on this:

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. " John 6:44

Then again Jesus said this:

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

So then, "Ask" so that "a stronger reason to believe" will be given to you.

And then again:

"Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. " James 4:2-3

Dear amadeus2
Sorry because I dont understand. whats mean "ye"?
Do you think that Father draw me?

 

[amadeus2]

Dear amadeus2
Sorry because I dont understand. whats mean "ye"?
Do you think that Father draw me?

"Ye" is an old English word meaning "you". It is the plural form of "you". In modern English we can only tell the difference between the singular "you" and the plural "you" by the context. In that respect the older English usage is similar to many other modern languages. Unfortunately, most English speaking people don't know what I just told you and do not usually read the English Bible that I read regularly [King James Version translated into English in 1611 A.D.] because it confuses them.

I read my Bible regularly in three languages so that does give me an insight that most English-speaking people do not have. Unfortunately I do not read or speak Persian.

Give God the glory!

 

[amadeus2]

Dear amadeus2
Sorry because I dont understand. whats mean "ye"?
Do you think that Father draw me?

I believe that the Father drew you here to receive help in understanding what it is that we believe. This means understanding who Jesus is and what He did for whosoever will.

That "whosoever" is like the "ye" I just explained in my other post. It is an older usage, but may be easier to understand. It simply means "anyone who is willing".

 

[Hekuran]

I am writing about valuing humanity only. I hope that this will be a good foundation point for talking about the other points.

There's a good principle in understanding the Christian faith that all questions have their answer in the cross -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That's where I will go for my answer to you.

1. The creation story in Genesis says
   
   God created humankind in his image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
   
   Humans are valuable because we are created with care, with love and in the image of God. A major part of the Bible story is our (humans) rejection of God, attempt to run things our own way and the terrible consequences. But no matter how far we fall or fail as human beings we nevertheless have something that reflects God's nature. For me, this answers the question, why should I value other people -- because everybody carries God's image.
2. As Christians we believe that God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Read the stories of Jesus' life asking, 'what do these stories tell me about how God values humans?'
3. Jesus' death on the cross shows most clearly the value God places in us. Even when faced with a corrupt trial, treachery, humiliation, torture and a cruel public death Jesus did not strike out against his oppressors. Instead, he prayed 'father forgive'. Jesus bore the very worst that the authorities of the day could throw at him -- but none of that evil could do anything to stop God's freely-given love.
4. Jesus' death restores our relationship with God. We (and all creation) are so valuable to God and he cares so much that he is willing to humble and suffer on our behalf. Every person I pass on the street today is a person that God himself loves enough to suffer on their behalf. So, how can I be indifferent to anyone?

Much, much more could be said. I hope this is enough to start with. Please let me know if anything here is unclear or confusing.

I have not give Bible references for the things I have said. Read the gospels and I think you will see many of these things on every page.

 

[born again loading]

I am writing about valuing humanity only. I hope that this will be a good foundation point for talking about the other points.

There's a good principle in understanding the Christian faith that all questions have their answer in the cross -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That's where I will go for my answer to you.

1. The creation story in Genesis says
   
   God created humankind in his image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
   
   Humans are valuable because we are created with care, with love and in the image of God. A major part of the Bible story is our (humans) rejection of God, attempt to run things our own way and the terrible consequences. But no matter how far we fall or fail as human beings we nevertheless have something that reflects God's nature. For me, this answers the question, why should I value other people -- because everybody carries God's image.
2. As Christians we believe that God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Read the stories of Jesus' life asking, 'what do these stories tell me about how God values humans?'
3. Jesus' death on the cross shows most clearly the value God places in us. Even when faced with a corrupt trial, treachery, humiliation, torture and a cruel public death Jesus did not strike out against his oppressors. Instead, he prayed 'father forgive'. Jesus bore the very worst that the authorities of the day could throw at him -- but none of that evil could do anything to stop God's freely-given love.
4. Jesus' death restores our relationship with God. We (and all creation) are so valuable to God and he cares so much that he is willing to humble and suffer on our behalf. Every person I pass on the street today is a person that God himself loves enough to suffer on their behalf. So, how can I be indifferent to anyone?

Much, much more could be said. I hope this is enough to start with. Please let me know if anything here is unclear or confusing.

I have not give Bible references for the things I have said. Read the gospels and I think you will see many of these things on every page.

your words be helpful but there are any question
What you say is true? Documented? ( Because I read similar words in Quran but there is a problem, Inconsistency)
this month is Ramadan and if i eat anything I am guilty and they punish me while in Quran said "There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion"

Surah Al-Baqarah [2:256-266] with Surah Al-Baqarah [2:183-193] in contradiction

I am weary of these contradictions.

 

[born again loading]

"Ye" is an old English word meaning "you". It is the plural form of "you". In modern English we can only tell the difference between the singular "you" and the plural "you" by the context. In that respect the older English usage is similar to many other modern languages. Unfortunately, most English speaking people don't know what I just told you and do not usually read the English Bible that I read regularly [King James Version translated into English in 1611 A.D.] because it confuses them.

I read my Bible regularly in three languages so that does give me an insight that most English-speaking people do not have. Unfortunately I do not read or speak Persian.

Give God the glory!

thank you for explanation
I am weak in English and it was useful
Persian is very rich language ( Ferdowsi , Khayyam, Hafez ) if you can read it,

 

[born again loading]

I believe that the Father drew you here to receive help in understanding what it is that we believe. This means understanding who Jesus is and what He did for whosoever will.

That "whosoever" is like the "ye" I just explained in my other post. It is an older usage, but may be easier to understand. It simply means "anyone who is willing".

I do not know that this was my lucky or destiny or Father ask!

Thanks for PS

 

[Lanolin]

Keep reading the Bible - there are persian translations...and God will show you through his son Jesus that He is real. US christians believe God is Jesus Father that is why we call him Our heavenly Father and we are adopted into His Family when we are born again.

Jesus shows us the way the truth and the life noone comes to the Father (i.e God) except by him.

We have basically two commandments to Love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our minds and all our soul and strength, and to love our neighbours as we love God. We show our love by calling God 'father' in the bible Jesus called God 'abba' which means 'daddy' in hebrew. So when we become christians we are 'born again' into his family and become his children.

Jesus did a great work for us dying on the cross and paying for our sins so that we could live eternally with God. He rose from the dead and is in Heaven now interceding for us, all we need to do is believe in Jesus and that fact to come into this relationship. Then Jesus will send us his spirit to be holy like He is. We cant do it by our own efforts, we need his holy spirit, you can ask for this when you ask Jesus to give you a new heart.

 

[Lanolin]

When christians fast we dont make a big show of it we do this to our Father in secret. He sees us.
Also we can Make the choice to do this and it doesnt have to be a set time, although some christians have a traditional time of fasting called 'lent' which is 40 days before passover (easter in some countries) when christians remember Jesus crucifiction and resurrection.

With ramadan people dont really fast because i found out they just eat at night. Thats not a fast!

When Jesus fasted he went without food for 40 days (he did drink water) and the devil (satan) tempted him but Jesus told the devil to get lost.

All the stories about Jesus are in the four gospels Mathew, Mark, Luke and John and they are found in the New Testament.

 

[born again loading]

Keep reading the Bible - there are persian translations...and God will show you through his son Jesus that He is real. US christians believe God is Jesus Father that is why we call him Our heavenly Father and we are adopted into His Family when we are born again.

Jesus shows us the way the truth and the life noone comes to the Father (i.e God) except by him.

We have basically two commandments to Love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our minds and all our soul and strength, and to love our neighbours as we love God. We show our love by calling God 'father' in the bible Jesus called God 'abba' which means 'daddy' in hebrew. So when we become christians we are 'born again' into his family and become his children.

Jesus did a great work for us dying on the cross and paying for our sins so that we could live eternally with God. He rose from the dead and is in Heaven now interceding for us, all we need to do is believe in Jesus and that fact to come into this relationship. Then Jesus will send us his spirit to be holy like He is. We cant do it by our own efforts, we need his holy spirit, you can ask for this when you ask Jesus to give you a new heart.

thank you
with your explanation I understand about "Born Again" field in profile form,
I was muslim and think that was wrong In the event that wasn't my fault but now is my decision and the consequences of that is my fault so I should deep research.

 

[Dave M]

Hey Saeed are their any other Christians around your area you can fellowship with?

 

[born again loading]

Hey Saeed are their any other Christians around your area you can fellowship with?

Hey Dave
sorry,its negative
I'm already known as an Kafir (pagan) and I am alarmed, if I connect with a Christian I do not know what comes over me.