TITLE: How Much MUST We Know?

TEXT: Acts 2:41

PROPOSITION: Some delay becoming a Christian because they claim they do not know enough.

QUESTION: What?

KEY WORD: Facts

Introduction:

1. Some think that they must have the Bible memorized before they can obey the Gospel

2. In the book of Acts –

   1. EVERY case of conversion recorded

   2. They heard ONE sermon

   3. ONE time

3. How much does one need to know and understand to become a Christian?

WE MUST KNOW - - -

1. We need to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the World.

   1. John 8:24

   2. John 3:16

2. That He died for our sins, rose from the dead and returned to heaven. And that His blood will continue to cleanse us from our sins.

   1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

   2. 1 John 1:7

3. We need to know that we are saved by the grace of God and not because we have "earned" salvation.

   1. Ephesians 2:8-10

4. We need to know that heaven will be for the righteous and hell for the unrighteous. And that they are eternal.

   1. Matthew 7:21

   2. Revelation 21:8

   3. Revelation 22:14

5. We need to know what sin is and its consequences.

   1. There are a lot of complexities of this subject that will have to come later. But, for the purposes of becoming a Christian, we need to understand what sin is and what it does to us spiritually.

   2. Isaiah 59:1-2

   3. Romans 3:23

6. We need to know that by becoming a Christian we will become a part of the Lord's body, the Church of Christ.

   1. Acts 2:47

   2. Ephesians 5:23

7. We need to know that by becoming a Christian we are committing ourselves to a lifetime of discipleship to Jesus.

   1. That we must put Christ first in everything.

   2. He will be more important than anyone in our lives.

   3. Revelation 2:10 – faithful unto death

   4. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I kept the faith – crown of righteousness