Becoming a Christian

John Stott

• Publisher: IVP
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9780830821099
• eBook ISBN: 9780830873289
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Written by John R. W. Stott, a Christian leader known worldwide for addressing the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women, this updated booklet describes the fundamental human problem, outlines the Christian answer to it and shows readers how to respond to God's truth.

THE CHRISTIAN ANSWER

Let’s allow the Bible to answer our question in its own words. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus came into the world to solve humanity’s basic problem. He came to be our Savior, which he accomplished by dying on the cross. He came to earth not to live but to die. He lived in the shadow of the cross from the beginning. He knew perfectly well that death awaited him in Jerusalem. In fact, he clearly predicted it.

On the night he was betrayed by one of his followers, when he gave his disciples bread and poured out wine, he not only predicted his death but explained its purpose. Speaking of the wine, he said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

Someone might ask, “What is the connection between his death and our forgiveness?” The real meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross is not so much about his physical and mental pain and suffering, but in the spiritual anguish he endured. From noon to three the land became dark. This was a symbol of the darkness of our sin that surrounded Jesus while he hung on the cross. To fully understand what was happening, we need some background information.

Regarding what Jesus experienced on the cross, the ancient prophet Isaiah, who lived hundreds of years before Jesus, said,

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity [sin] of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

And the apostle Paul explains, “God made him who had no sin to be sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21)....

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• The Basic Problem
• The Christian Answer
• What Must I Do?
• Some Sobering Thoughts
• A Prayer
• Some Final Suggestions
• About the Author
• More Titles from InterVarsity Press
• Copyright