What do I need to do to convert to Christianity?

TL;DR:

Converting to Christianity is about personally placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift received by trusting in Him, leading to a transformed life now and for eternity.

Converting to Christianity is not about changing religions but about placing your faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. It is not about changing religions or performing rituals but about trusting in Jesus for forgiveness and new life. Conversion involves recognizing our sinfulness and receiving God’s forgiveness through trusting in Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8). This decision leads to forgiveness and a transformed life. Anyone can choose to place their faith in Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, and start living in the freedom and hope He provides.

from the old testament

Converting to Christianity is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

Jesus clearly provided an answer for those who sought to come to faith in Him. On one occasion, He spoke with a religious teacher about being born again (John 3). When this man asked what Jesus meant, part of His answer included John 3:16, which reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Converting to Christianity involves believing in Jesus Christ as God's risen Son. How can you believe in Jesus? Acts 16:31 says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that believing comes by faith: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." God provides His salvation as a gift. We do not earn it; we simply accept it.
To place our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, however, is not just an intellectual assent. It also involves recognizing that we are imperfect and sinful (Romans 3:23). Only God can forgive all of our sins, no matter how bad they might be, and provide a new life free from guilt (Romans 8:1). While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) to provide the forgiveness we need to have a relationship with God.
To "convert" simply means to turn or change. A person who converts to Christianity is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as God's risen Son. His or her life has been changed to a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17), one that includes abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life with the Lord in heaven (John 3:16).

implications for today

Choosing to follow Jesus is about personally trusting Him for salvation. Converting to Christianity means turning from self-reliance and all else, placing full faith in Jesus as the Son of God who died and rose again to forgive sin and give new life. This decision is a response of the heart, accepting God’s free gift of grace and beginning a transformed life in relationship with Him.

If you would like to place your faith in Jesus Christ, you can do so right now. There is no special prayer you must say. Salvation is about accepting Christ, not earning God's favor. Though the words will not save you, the following is a prayer you might use to express your faith in Jesus and tell God you believe in Jesus as your Savior:

"Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.

understand

Converting to Christianity is about personally placing your faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins.
Salvation is a gift from God received by faith, not by works or rituals.
Conversion involves recognizing our sinfulness and accepting God’s free gift of grace, resulting in a relationship with Him and eternal life.

reflect

How do you understand and explain what it means to convert to Christianity?
How has your life changed as a result of accepting God’s gift of salvation?
How do you personally acknowledge your need for God’s grace in your life?

engage

How does recognizing our sinfulness shape the way we understand and accept God’s gift of salvation?
Why is faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection the central requirement for conversion, rather than works or rituals, and how does that differ from other religions?
How can we encourage each other to live out the transformed life that comes from personally trusting Jesus?