Perhaps you know some people who are not at all Christ—like in their life and living, but who call themselves “Christians”. Jesus said you would know His true followers “by their fruits”; and you would know the ones who were not genuine Christians “by their fruit”. (Matthew 7:15-20. John 14:23.)
So, what a person does, and the way he lives, are very important indicators of whether or not he really is a Christian; more important than what he might say about himself. (James 2:14-26.) True faith shows itself by the person’s responses to God, and to fellowmen.
On the day of Pentecost Peter’s message to the people was clear:
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38.)
Peter urged them to become true Christians, saying, “save yourselves from this corrupt generation:” “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (verses 40-41.)
These people were then different — they were God’s unusual people. People who had turned from their sins and wickedness, and through their faith in Jesus as their only Saviour, had received forgiveness of their sins. Now they had God’s Spirit within their lives. They were baptized as a demonstration of the change that had taken place in their lives; they wanted to testify that they had turned away from their sins and now wanted to live a new life pleasing unto God. (Romans 6:1-4.)
These new Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (verse 42.)
So, here are some ways to know true Christians: They will be eager to learn from “the Apostles’ teaching” — for us today that means checking up in their writings in the Holy Bible. (2ndTimothy 3:16-17. 2ndPeter 1:21.)
The Holy Bible is the only sure way to check up on the truth about God. (Acts 17:11. 10:42-43. Luke 24:44-49.) Also, the real Christians will have love and concern for other fellow—Christians, (verse 44-45. John 13:35.) and will desire to meet together with them to praise God. They will often share bread and wine together in remembrance of what Jesus did for them, by His once and for all death on the cross. (verses 46-47. 1stCorinthians 11:23-26.)
I wonder how many real Christians you know? Would you pass the test yourself? Remember, it is only “the Lord” who can add you to the number of the real Christians (verse 47. Titus 2:11-14.), and He will only do that when you, in faith, ask Him to forgive your sins and turn you from wickedness. (Acts 4:12. 1stJohn 3:5-10.)
Read Acts chapter 2, verses 40-47 and see that these are some of things that mark out God’s unusual people., the true Christians. (Ephesians 2:1-10.)
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