What is the minimum
I have to believe
to be a Christian?
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
Sometimes, well-meaning
Christians include in the
“package” everything that they
believe.
This can cause problems for some
people sincerely seeking Jesus!
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
On the other hand, Church
history shows us that not
everyone who declares that
they “follow Jesus” is helpful to
the Kingdom.
Some essentials are valuable!
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
Stating the basics clearly helps
guard against those who make
optional ideas a requirement of
faith –
e.g. “speaking in tongues”, no alcohol
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
While “creeds” are
important in defining faith,
they often include far more
than the earliest church
required for belief!
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
Sorting out the “essentials”
in our own minds helps
Christians explain their faith
to others.
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Why ask?
For many people today,
the language we use to
talk about following Jesus
needs to be made more
accessible.
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Change of purpose
“… come, follow me …”
Mark 1 17
Jesus focussed
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
God’s
authoritative rule
Change the
direction of
your life
“… The time has come: the kingdom
of God has come near.
Repent and believe the Good News”
Mark 1 15
Put your trust in
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Public affirmation
Put your trust in
Resurrection of
Jesus accepted
Acknowledged
authority;
God
“ … you will be saved, if you
honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if
you believe with all your heart that
God raised him from death.”
Romans 10 9
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
The “kerygma”
The “kerygma”
(The Good News preached to Jews)
God’s promises have been fulfilled …
… in Jesus’ birth’ life, ministry, death and
resurrection …
… after which Jesus returned to the
Father …
… His work is now evidenced by the Holy
Spirit.
Jesus will return at the end of the age.
(The Good News preached
to non-Jews)
You are seeking …
God is not an idol …
Change direction …
There will be judgement …
… by the one raised from
the dead.
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
What should we do?
Acts 2
(Implied) accept the message
“Repent” (= change direction)
Be baptised
You will receive the Holy Spirit
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
What should we do?
Acts 2
(Implied) accept the message
“Repent” (= change direction)
Be baptised
You will receive the Holy Spirit
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#1 There is a God, who cares about me




one God …
… as in the Bible
loving us, as described by Jesus
Jesus is God
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#1 There is a God, who cares about me




you don’t have to believe that everything the Bible says
about God is literally true
you don’t have to believe that science is wrong about the
big bang & evolution
you don’t have to believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, or
understand the Trinity
you don’t have to have a perfect answer to the problem of
suffering
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#1 There is a God, who cares about me
Fundamentalist
Fred
Conservative
Charlie
Evangelical Eve
Tough Questions
Liberal
Larry
Postmodern
Pippa
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
 my choices have not been God’s best for me
 I have not been what I feel I should be
 I cannot get my life straight on my own
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
 you don’t have to believe that you are a wholly bad
person
 you don’t have to deny the good in you, or the good
you have achieved
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
What about the
“sinner’s prayer”?
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that
I am a sinner, and I ask for
Your forgiveness. I believe
You died for my sins and
rose from the dead. I turn
from my sins and invite You to come
into my heart and life. I want to trust
and follow You as my Lord and
Saviour. In Your Name. Amen.
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that
I am a sinner, and I ask for
Your forgiveness. I believe
You died for my sins and
Jesus didn’t ask for this! We rose from the dead. I turn
need to understand that we from my sins and invite You to come
have fallen short – but the
into my heart and life. I want to trust
word “sinner” may carry
and follow You as my Lord and
unhelpful ideas.
Saviour. In Your Name. Amen.
What about the
“sinner’s prayer”?
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#3 God took the initiative - in the death and
resurrection of Jesus - to rescue me
 I am welcomed back into God’s family through the
death and resurrection of Jesus
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#3 God took the initiative - in the death and
resurrection of Jesus - to rescue me
 you don’t have to believe that your wrong-doing
deserves the death penalty
 you don’t have to believe that God’s greatest
characteristic is punishment
 you don’t have to believe that God had to punish
someone for your wrong-doing
 you don’t have to be “good enough” to qualify
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#3 God took the initiative - in the death and
resurrection of Jesus - to rescue me







a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins
the punishment taken by Jesus
victory over sin and death
repaying the honour denied to God
a necessary fulfilling of the demands of justice
the way God draws us to ask forgiveness
reconciliation of broken relationship
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#4 I must change course – God’s direction, not mine
 a decision to trust
 you don’t have to promise to be perfect from now on.
That won’t happen. But you must be willing to change,
and to be changed.
 you don’t have to have deep feelings of regret –
simply to recognise where you are.
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
#1
There is a God, who cares about me
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
#3 God took the initiative - in the death and
resurrection of Jesus - to rescue me
#4 I must change course – God’s direction, not mine
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to be a Christian?
After you become a Christian …
 you find out more!
 God gives you His Holy Spirit - who will oversee
your process of growth and change
 you are invited to be baptised
 you embark on life-long learning
Tough Questions
What is the minimum I have to
believe to become a Christian?
There is a God, who cares about me
#2 I have been off course – my direction, not God’s
#3 God took the initiative - in the death and
resurrection of Jesus - to rescue me
#1
#4 I must change course – God’s direction, not mine
Tough Questions