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How to Enter and How to Live in
THE CHURCH OF THE LORD

Arranged by
Lloyd E. Ellis

This outline will assist one in understanding the Scriptures which show one how to become a Christian or follower of Christ and how to conduct oneself so as to be pleasing unto God in his life and ultimately to be with Him through eternity.

  1. HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

    1. Hear

      2. It is necessary to hear the truth, since the word of God is truth, (John 17:17) and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). These Scriptures will help one to understand that one must be taught in order that he may know God and how to obey him.

      John 6:45 Romans 2:13; 10:8-10
      Isaiah 54:13 Hebrews 8:10, 11
      Romans 10:14, 17  

    2. Believe

      3. Not only does the hearing come through the word of God, but belief, or faith results from that knowledge thus gained, and one cannot please God without believing that he exists and the he will do what he says he will.

      Romans 10:17 Ephesians 4:5
      John 17:20; 20:29-31 Hebrews 11: 1, 5, 6
      Acts 8:37; 16:31 

    3. Repent

      4. Repentance is a change of mind in respect to God and his commandments; a turning to do God's will. It is commanded and is necessary for salvation. It involves ceasing to do all evil and learning to obey what Christ has directed one to do.

      Acts 17:30 Acts 2:38
      Luke 13:3, 5 Matthew 3:8
      2 Corinthians 7:10 2 Peter 3:9

    4. Confess

      5. One must acknowledge a faith in Christ -- he is to confess Christ before men. This is done by word of mouth and by obedience to his directions.

      Romans 10:10 Luke 12:8, 9
      Acts 8:37 Romans 10:8-10
      Matthew 10:32, 33 1 Corinthians 11:26

    5. Baptism

      6. Immersion in water is necessary for the remission of sins. That a burial in water constitutes baptism is clearly stated in the Scriptures. Likewise it is at that time that one is clothed upon with the Christ.

      Acts 22:16 Colossians 2:12
      Matthew 28:18-20 Galatians 3:26, 27
      Mark 16:15, 16 Ephesians 4:5
      Acts 2:38 Hebrews 10:22
      Romans 6:4 1 Peter 3:20, 21

  2. Living the Christian Life

    3. After one has heard, believes, repents, confesses Christ and is immersed, he is to rise from this burial in water to live a new life. Living the new life involves obedience to all that Jesus has commanded his followers to observe and do.

    Romans 6:4 1 John 1:7
    Romans 6:11, 19; 8:1-4  

    The following are some of the things which one is to observe and do as he lives for Christ, or lets Christ live in him.

    1. Pray

      2. Prayer is a privilege as well as a duty and obligation. Jesus prayed often to his Father and he taught his disciples to pray.

      Ephesians 6:18, 19 1 Thessalonians 5:17
      Colossians 4:2  

    2. Put Off All Evil

      3. One is to separate himself from all evil thougths, desires and acts after he has been inducted into Christ. This is not easy and requires a great deal of self-control and effort.

      Ephesians 4:22-31 Galatians 5:16-26
      Colossians 3:5-8 1 Peter 2:11; 4:3, 4
      Romans 13:12-14 2 Peter 2:20, 21
      1 Thessalonians 4:3-9 1 John 2:15-17

    3. Put On the Good

      4. Not only must one cease to do evil, but learn to do well. He is to clothe himself with the whole armor of God and live righteously day by day.

      Romans 12:1, 2; 13:12-14 Galatians 5:22, 23
      Ephesians 4:23, 24; 6:10-17 Isaiah 1:16, 17

    4. Attend the Worship

      5. Meeting with other Christians for fellowship and worship is very essential. Not only do we thus honor and praise God, but we can be of great encouragement to each other.

      Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:25; 12:22, 23

    5. Observe the Memorial Supper

      6. Each Christian is to participate in the Lord's Supper each first day of the week. Thus do we keep his suffering for us in memory and show to the world our faith.

      Matthew 26:26, 27 Acts 20:7
      Mark 14:22 1 Corinthians 10:16
      Luke 22:19 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

    6. The Offering, or Contribution

      7. Each Christian should use a part of his means, or what the Lord has given him, directly in the work of the Lord.

      Acts 20:25 2 Corinthians 8:5, 12
      1 Corinthians 16:2 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

    7. Study the Bible

      8. One should continue to study the Bible in order to increase his knowledge and understanding of the will of God and his duties and cbligations as a follower of Christ.

      John 5:39 Acts 17:11, 12
      John 6:32 2 Timothy 2:15

    8. Grow in Grace and Truth and Christian Activity.

      9. Growth comes by learning and doing.

      Matthew 7:21-24 1 Peter 2:1-5

    9. Teaching Others

      10. By example and study with neighbors and friends, one is to help in the teaching of the Bible that others may also hear, believe and obey.

      Matthew 28:18-20 Ephesians 5:19
      Mark 16:15, 16 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:15
      Colossians 3:16 Titus 2:4

    10. Do Good

      11. A Christian is to help others.

      Galatians 6:10 Hebrews 13:16
      Romans 12:10-21; 13:7-9 James 1:27
      1 Thessalonians 5:15 1 Peter 3:9

    11. Be Steadfast

      12. One should be constant and faithful in the work of the Lord. It is the "overcomers" who will reap the eternal reward of life on the presence of God.

      Acts 2:42 1 Corinthians 15:58
      Revelation 2:10 Revelation 22:14

    12. Recognize the Authority of Christ in All Things

      13. All that the Christian says or does should be in accordance with his will, in his name, or by his authority.

      Acts 4:11, 12 1 Corinthians 10:31
      Colossians 3:17 Hebrews 13:15
      Ephesians 5:20 1 Peter 4:11