Many people who join Eliot Church are not certain what it means to be a Christian. Very simply, it means that you depend upon Christ to bring you into favor with, God. The four steps in becoming a Christian are these: You acknowledge your sin. The Bible says that all of us have sinned and done things that displease God. (Read Romans 3:23 and I John 1:8). You acknowledge the penalty of sin. The Bible says that sin brings punishment in life and for all eternity. (Romans 6:23 and Luke 16:23) You acknowledge Christ's ability to save you. When Christ died on the Cross, he was paying the penalty for your sin. (Romans 6:8 and I Peter 2:24) You ask God to forgive and save you and you trust Him to do that. Salvation comes by asking for it, (Romans 10:13 and John 3:16) You do not become a Christian by joining Eliot Church. The reverse should be true. You should join the Church because you have already taken the four steps we have discussed. You do not become a Christian by being a good person. You become a good person once you are a Christian. In time God will help you to become more and more like Christ. The only thing God asks you to do in becoming a Christian is to follow the steps indicated above. This message is summarized in John 3:16 and Luke 23:24. Once you have become a Christian, Go d will keep you as His chi Id for ever. You have a new life within you and that life will never end, no matter what experiences may come your way, (John 10:23 and Romans 8:3S-39) You may not feel any different. You may not have had any unusual experience. However, if you have done those things God requires, you are indeed a Christian.