What is a Christian?

A Christian is someone who, coming to know God, and recognizing themselves to have rebelled against God, either by a lack of faith in God or by choices that oppose His perfect righteousness, rejects sin for its opposition against God, and exercises faith in God.

God Who, in the person of Jesus Christ has paid the penalty of our sin by Christ’s death on the cross, brings the transaction to completion by applying that payment to our account. We who turn from sin to God will by faith in Jesus Christ and His death for our sins, receive the benefit of it – our sentence commuted so we may have eternal life.

Upon God’s application of Christ’s death to the payment of our sentence, He also restores us to fellowship with Himself by providing the Holy Spirit, so that by His continual presence we may be able to withstand the temptations of the flesh and be strengthened and encouraged in our walk with Him.