INQUIRER: What is the basis of being a Christian? What are the things a real Christian must possess?

BRO. ELI F. SORIANO (EFS): First of all, being a Christian is not acquired in an instant. Being a Christian, you have to establish relationship with Christ and you have to follow Him. You have to follow Christ. You must have a relationship with Christ and follow him. Because the word “Christianos” means followers of Christ, disciples of Christ. "Christian" means a follower of Christ. There is a process; you have to undergo a process. Simple as it is, but there is a process. In Luke 9:23 -

SIS. LUZ CRUZ (LC): "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

(EFS): First of all, for you to become a Christian, you must deny yourself. Then - “…let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” according to the Bible. "...follow me." said Christ. For that to be fulfilled, it starts with listening, studying the words of Christ, accepting, following. Let us read Acts 11:26 -

(LC):  "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

(EFS): For them to become Christians, they were taught. They became disciples through the teachings. An indoctrination took place. There was an instance when they were instructed. They were instructed through the Scriptures. For a whole year, they assembled themselves with the Church, taught much people, and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. So, it is not instantaneously acquired. You have to undergo a process – you will listen, believe, accept, be subjected to baptism. After baptism you will apply the doctrines you have learned. That is the complete process of being a Christian. You cannot be a Christian without having heard anything first. You have to listen first to the doctrines of Christ. In Romans 10:17 -

(CL):  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

(EFS): For you to be a Christian, you have to believe and to have faith. You must acquire faith. Faith comes by hearing. So, you will spend some time listening to and believing on the doctrines of Christ. Afterwards, you will accept it. That alone would take you some time. Not right away, as you raise your hand you are instantly a Christian. That is not the case. You will listen, and then assess what you have heard, and then you will have faith; after you believed, you will accept it and then receive baptism. That is the sequential process of being a Christian. Now, when you are really a Christian, there is one thing noticeable that will happen to you.

(CL):  What is that?

(EFS): In II Corinthians 5:17 -

(CL):  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

(EFS): "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Old things are passed away; "...behold, all things are become new.” Upon receiving baptism, one thing that must be seen in a person who became Christian is the reformation in his life. Things that were passed away must not be seen in you anymore for you to be regarded as a real Christian. For example, what things must not be seen in you anymore, things that must have already passed away? In Ephesians 4:20-32, 5:1 -

(LC): "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;"

(EFS): If you are a Christian, you will leave your former being that is corrupt according to deceitful lusts. What is the former being? The former gambler, hooked on gambling, on vices, on illegal drugs, smoking, drinking. You are buried in those things. If you are a Christian, all of those things must disappear. the former things wherein you become corrupt. You are getting worse and worst. You are buried in such a way that you are seemingly hopeless to get out of gambling, liquor, vices, womanizing, various wicked deeds - "which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;" In Ephesians 4:20 –

(LC): "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"

(EFS): The spirit of your mind must be renewed. You will have a new perspective in life. Your perspective is not like before that were pure worldly and carnal. There will be changes. And then -

(LC): "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

(EFS): A new being created in righteousness and holiness of truth. What will happen next? Continue -

(LC): "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

(EFS): You will put away lying, and speak the truth. So, a Christian is not a liar.

(LC):  Yes.

(EFS): Christians - "...putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." In Ephesians 4:26 -

(LC):  "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

(EFS): You can be angry, but you will not sin, nor kill nor hurt someone. In verse 26 - "...let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." So, a Christian is not a devil's customer. Many people now pretend to be Christians but are customers of demon. They are fierce, liars. What else?

(LC): "Let him that stole steal no more:"

(EFS): If you are a Christian, you will not be found stealing.

(LC):  "...but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

(EFS): If you are a Christian, you will not steal anymore, you do not covet what is not yours. Then, you work, you labor and work. You are not idle. You are a person of deeds. You are not lazy, you are not slothful. You are a man of action, full of works. And what you do are the good things; not just any deed. "...working with his hands the thing which is good," In Ephesians 4:29 -

(LC):  "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,"

(EFS): He does not speak corrupt communication that must not be spoken. When he speaks, he speaks what is needed in that time. what is necessary. "...but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." He does not just speak; when he speaks, he has basis, there is wisdom in the words he says. Then -

(LC):  "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

(EFS): So, a Christian has respect for the Holy Spirit. He does not grieve the Holy Spirit. How is the Holy Spirit grieved? Let us continue -

(LC):  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, Those are things that grieve the Holy Spirit. "...bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:"

(EFS): In Ephesians 4:32 -

(LC):  "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

(EFS): Then -

(EFS): "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"

(EFS): You will take all evil away from you. That's how a Christian is. Those are the fundamentals of being a Christian.