Here’s something I drew up a few years ago. It actually came from some materials Randy Mayeux gave me years ago. It’s a simple explanation of how to talk to someone about becoming a Christian, based on Acts 2. Tell me what you think:

If someone were to come to you and ask how to become a Christian, what would you say? There are many ways to explain God’s plan of salvation. One of the easiest is to use the first sermon that Jesus’ followers preached after his ascension.

Let’s look at Acts, Chapter 2. The apostles were in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as Jesus had promised. When the crowd began to question what had happened, Peter stood up and preached the first Christian sermon (Acts 2:14ff). From examining that sermon, we can learn what we must do to be saved.

(1) We must accept certain facts about Jesus(2:14-35):

(a) He lived on earth and did wonders by the power of God.
(b) He was crucified.
(c) He died and was buried.
(d) He rose again.
(e) He went to sit at the right hand of God.

(2) We must recognize Jesus as Lord and Christ. (2:36)

(a) Lord—the owner of a slave; we must be fully obedient to everything that Jesus tells us.
(b) Christ—the anointed one; Jesus was the one chosen by God for our salvation. Salvation is through him and him alone.
(Other passages show that there should be a public confession of this belief)

(3) We must admit our need for salvation. (2:37)

(4) We must repent. (2:38)
Repent = completely change our lives to live under the rule of Christ

(5) We must be baptized (2:38)

(a) This baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. It is at this time that God washes away our sins.
(b) This baptism is to receive the Holy Spirit. We are baptized into Christ, and He will live in us.

(6) We must live in accordance with this change of life.(2:42-47)

(a) We dedicate ourselves to studying God’s word.
(b) We dedicate ourselves to prayer.
(c) We dedicate ourselves to fellowship.
(d) We dedicate ourselves to sharing food with our brothers (especially the Lord’s supper).