The Gospel is:
- We are sinners deserving eternal damnation (Romans 3:9-12)
- Christ died for our sins, He was buried, He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
A simple prayer to come to Christ:
Dear Lord,
I am a sinner deserving of death. I ask for your forgiveness and pray that you will come into my life to rescue me from my sinful nature. Please Lord, grant me entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
In Jesus name, Amen
Comment on the above prayer:
There is nothing special about the wording of the above prayer. In order to come to Christ, you have to believe you’re a sinner and you have to ask for forgiveness. Period. That’s it. The key here is your belief in the above facts. No special wording, no additional manmade action, not even being a member of a specific denomination, just belief.
Common Misconceptions:
I have often heard people say that they believe everyone goes to heaven or that there are so many religions in the world that they can't be sure that Christianity is the right one. Since so many of the religions today believe everyone goes to heaven, I have to bring up John 14:6 where Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." OK, let's say that you've read all this and still don't believe, I urge you to take time to read the below chapters and books of the Bible. The Bible is God's word to us. Teach yourself the truth, His answers lie within.
Proverb 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.
John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 3:9-12 (NIV)
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
