Being a Christian is an individual thing — a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is alive, and wants to know and be known by you. No “religion” can save you, nor can any denomination or church. Only Jesus has the power to save you and give you eternal life.
In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul writes “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Remember what happened when the disciple Thomas first encountered Jesus after he had been raised from the dead? Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
What must we believe to be so blessed?
1- Jesus is physically alive today. His body is resurrected. He guides his followers just as he has always done.
2- Jesus is Lord. We don’t use that word very much anymore, but it might be translated as “boss” or “master.” Jesus is the one who instructs us what to do, and empowers us to do it. Everything is to be done by his Spirit. God created human beings to live by his Spirit. He calls this “life.” When we were living without his Spirit, he called us “dead.”
3- Jesus is God. Thomas said it outright. “My Lord and my God.” All the disciples said it. Jesus clearly claimed it. Why? Because Jesus must be God to be a sacrifice for all creation.
Since Jesus is Lord and God, he hears our prayers and will save you if you ask him. We believe this by faith. The Holy Spirit is the sign and seal of that faith, providing the wisdom and power we need for daily living.