Become A Christian

BECOME A
CHRISTIAN
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Immersion baptism of Christ, 13th century,
cathedral baptistery at Florence, Italy
a scripture guide
with messianic prophecies fulfilled

Prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, Canada.
No rights reserved. Print and distribute freely.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture references
are from the New International Version.
Date of Publication: October 28, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1479389957
ISBN-10: 1479389951
Printed in the United States of America.

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Want to learn more? Visit www.wbschool.org
Dedicated to
The Author of Life

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CONTENTS
How To Use This Guide 7
Foretold 9
God With Us 9
Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ 10
The Lamb Sacrificed For Our Sins 11
What Jesus Wants Everyone To Do 12
Forgiveness of Sins 13
Crucified With Him 15
How To Be Happy 16
Why Be Baptized 17
Encouraging Words 18
Shall We Go On Sinning After Baptism? 20
What About Little Children? 24
Can One Be Forgiven After Baptism? 25
How To Stay Faithful To God 27
A Final Question 28

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Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled 31
What People Say About This Book 45
Steps To Prevent Suicide 54
Counseling for Depression 58
The Angel View for Healing Depression 66
How To Help People Follow Jesus 68

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How To Use This Guide
If you want to help someone decide to become
a Christian, ask the person to read the
scriptures aloud from this guide book or from
the Bible. Then ask them to read and answer
the questions aloud. Then ask the person if
they believe what they have read.
Another approach is to refer to the guide while
inviting the person to read the scripture verses
from their Bible. Then after each reading, ask
the corresponding questions from the guide.
If you are not yet a Christian, simply read the
scriptures and answer the questions for
yourself. If you decide you want to become a
Christian as described in this guide, contact the
person who gave you this booklet or find a
Christian community by doing searches on the
internet.
God bless you as you seek the peace that only
God can give.

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FORETOLD
Read Isaiah 53 (written in the 8th century
before Christ)
Question: Who is this chapter speaking about?
GOD WITH US
Read Matthew 1:21-23 She will give birth to a
son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their
sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord
had said through the prophet: “The virgin will
conceive and give birth to a son, and they will
call him Immanuel (which means “God with
us”).
Question: According to the verses above, who
is Jesus and what was he to save people from?
Do you believe it?
Read John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was with God in the
beginning. Through him all things were made;

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without him nothing was made that has been
made.... The Word became flesh and lived
among us.
was the Word?
Do you believe it?
Read John 20:28-29 Thomas said to him, “My
Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him,
“Because you have seen me, you have
believed; blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have believed.”
is Jesus?
Do you believe it?
DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now, brothers and
sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I
preached to you, which you received and on
which you have taken your stand. By this
gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the
word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have

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believed in vain. 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....
Question: According to the verses above, what
must we believe that is of first importance?
Do you believe it?
THE LAMB SACRIFICED FOR OUR SINS
Read John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb
of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Read 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we
loved God, but that he loved us and sent his
Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
did Jesus do?
Do you believe it?

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WHAT JESUS WANTS EVERYONE TO DO
Read Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to
them and said, All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the
age.
Read Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, Go into
all the world and preach the gospel to all
creation. Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved, but whoever does not believe
will be condemned.
does Jesus want everyone to believe and do to
be saved?
Do you believe it?

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FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Read Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is
what is written: The Messiah will suffer and
rise from the dead on the third day, and
repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be
preached in his name to all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these
things. I am going to send you what my Father
has promised; but stay in the city until you
have been clothed with power from on high.”
Question: According to the verses above,
where would forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name
begin to be preached to all nations?
Do you believe it?
Several days after the above words were
spoken, the disciples were in Jerusalem.
Read Acts 2:14,36-41 Then Peter stood up
with the Eleven (apostles), raised his voice and
addressed the crowd.... “Therefore let all Israel
be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to

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the heart and said to Peter and the other
apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter
replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for
you and your children and for all who are far
off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and
he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from
this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted
his message were baptized, and about three
thousand were added to their number that
day.
two things were the people told to do to
receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit?
Is the same promise also for us today? What
did people do when they accepted the
message?
Do you believe it?

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CRUCIFIED WITH HIM
Read Romans 6:1-4,6 What shall we say, then?
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may
increase? By no means! We are those who
have died to sin; how can we live in it any
longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who
were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized
into his death? We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order
that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life.... 6 For we know that our old
self was crucified with him so that the body
ruled by sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves to sin...
Questions: According to the verses above, how
do we enter into Christ and his death, in order
to live a new life? When is a person crucified
with Christ, to give up sin?
Do you believe it?

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HOW TO BE HAPPY
Read Acts 8:32-39 This is the passage of
Scripture (Isaiah 53) the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and
as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did
not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was
deprived of justice. Who can speak of his
descendants? For his life was taken from the
earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who
is the prophet talking about, himself or
someone else?” Then Philip began with that
very passage of Scripture and told him the
good news about Jesus. As they traveled along
the road, they came to some water and the
eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can
stand in the way of my being baptized?” And
he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both
Philip and the eunuch went down into the
water and Philip baptized him. When they
came up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the
eunuch did not see him again, but went on his
way rejoicing.

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does the eunuch want to do immediately after
he was told the good news about Jesus? When
does the eunuch rejoice? Why do you think he
was so happy?
Do you believe it?
WHY BE BAPTIZED?
Read Acts 22:16 And now what are you
waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash
your sins away, calling on his name.
Question: According to the verse above, why
should one be baptized?
Do you believe it?
I wonder if you have thought about being
baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and to
start a new life following the teaching of
Christ.

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ENCOURAGING WORDS
Read 2 Timothy 1:10 ...it has now been
revealed through the appearing of our Savior,
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has
brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel.
Read 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow
cleverly devised stories when we told you
about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in
power, but we were eyewitnesses of his
majesty.
Read 1 Peter 1:3-6 Praise be to the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great
mercy he has given us new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, and into an inheritance that
can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance
is kept in heaven for you, who through faith
are shielded by God’s power until the coming
of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in
the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while you may have had
to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

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Question: Do you want to be happy knowing
your sins are forgiven and hopeful that you will
go to heaven when you die? What will you do?
Sixth century immersion baptismal basin at
Nocera Superiore, Italy

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Crucified with Christ
Fourth century immersion baptismal basin in the shape
of a cross, San Pedro Alcantara, southern Spain
SHALL WE GO ON SINNING AFTER BAPTISM?
Read Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say, then?
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may
increase? By no means! We are those who
have died to sin; how can we live in it any
longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who
were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized
into his death? We were therefore buried

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with him through baptism into death in order
that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death
like his, we will certainly also be united with
him in a resurrection like his.
Read Romans 6:6-13 For we know that our old
self was crucified with him so that the body
ruled by sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves to sin— because
anyone who has died has been set free from
sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we
will also live with him. For we know that since
Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die
again; death no longer has mastery over him.
The death he died, he died to sin once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin
but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do
not let sin reign in your mortal body so that
you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part

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of yourself to sin as an instrument of
wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God
as those who have been brought from death to
life; and offer every part of yourself to him as
an instrument of righteousness.
Read Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me. The life I now live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me.
Read Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried
with him in baptism, in which you were also
raised with him through your faith in the
working of God, who raised him from the
dead. When you were dead in your sins and in
the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made
you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our
sins...
Questions: According to the verses above,
when is one done with sin, crucified with
Christ, made alive with Christ, and forgiven of
sins?

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Read 1 Peter 3:20-21 ...in the days of Noah
while the ark was being built. In it only a few
people, eight in all, were saved through water,
and this water symbolizes baptism that now
saves you also—not the removal of dirt from
the body but the pledge of a clear conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ...
saves you? What is our pledge to keep a clear
conscience before God?
Do you believe it?

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Immersion baptism of Christ, depicted by Paolo
Veneziano, artist of the 14th
century, Venice, Italy
WHAT ABOUT LITTLE CHILDREN?
Read Matthew 18:2-5 He called a little child to
him, and placed the child among them. And he
said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and
become like little children, you will never

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enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore,
whoever takes the lowly position of this child is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoever welcomes one such child in my
name welcomes me.”
Question: According to verses above, what is
the spiritual condition of little children?
Read Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip
as he proclaimed the good news of the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized, both men and women.
Question: According to the verse above, what
did people do when they heard the good news
of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus
Christ? Were little children baptized?
Do you believe it? What will you do?
CAN ONE BE FORGIVEN AFTER BAPTISM?
Read Acts 8:13,18-23 Simon himself believed
and was baptized.... When Simon saw that the
Spirit was given at the laying on of the
apostles’ hands, he offered them money and

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said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone
on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy
Spirit.”
Peter answered: “May your money perish with
you, because you thought you could buy the
gift of God with money! You have no part or
share in this ministry, because your heart is
not right before God. Repent of this
wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope
that he may forgive you for having such a
thought in your heart. For I see that you are
full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
was Simon told to do to be forgiven when he
sinned after being baptized?
Do you believe it?
Read 1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without
sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not
in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.
Read 1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this
to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody

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does sin, we have an advocate with the
Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Question: According to the verses above, how
can we be forgiven of sins committed after
baptism?
Do you believe it?
HOW TO STAY FAITHFUL TO GOD
Read Hebrews 3:12-14 See to it, brothers and
sisters, that none of you has a sinful,
unbelieving heart that turns away from the
living God. But encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of
you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we
hold our original conviction firmly to the very
end.
Read Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider
how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds, not giving up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the
more as you see the Day approaching.

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can help us stay faithful to the end?
Do you believe it? What will you do?
A FINAL QUESTION:
HOW SOON WERE PEOPLE BAPTIZED?
Read Acts 2:40-41 With many other words he
warned them; and he pleaded with them,
“Save yourselves from this corrupt
generation.” Those who accepted his message
were baptized, and about three thousand
were added to their number that day.
Read Acts 8: 35-38 Then Philip began with that
very passage of Scripture (Isaiah 53) and told
him the good news about Jesus. As they
traveled along the road, they came to some
water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is
water. What can stand in the way of my being
baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the
chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went
down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Read Acts 16: 32-33 Then they spoke the word
of the Lord to him and to all the others in his

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house. At that hour of the night the jailer took
them and washed their wounds; then
immediately he and all his household were
baptized.
Question: According to the verses above, how
soon were people baptized after they heard
the message or good news about Jesus? Why
do you think they wanted to be baptized so
soon?
What will you do?
Are you thinking of being baptized
to receive the forgiveness of your
sins, new life, and the Holy Spirit?
To find someone to assist you to be
baptized, email Daniel at
collegemhc@gmail.com
Or phone 1-778-433-1547

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Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled
HOW CAN WE KNOW JESUS IS THE ONE WHO
WAS PROMISED TO SAVE THE WORLD?
"As to this salvation, the prophets who
prophesied of the grace that would come to
you made careful searches and inquiries,
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit
of Christ within them was indicating as He
predicted the sufferings of Christ and the
glories to follow. It was revealed to them that
they were not serving themselves, but you, in
these things which now have been announced
to you through those who preached the gospel
to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--
things into which angels long to look."
- 1 Peter 1:10-12

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Given the eyewitness accounts of the life of
Jesus of Nazareth are accurate, the following
details selected below out of hundreds
contained in ancient Hebrew writings (Old
Testament) that pre-date Jesus, appear to
confirm his identity as the Messiah, the
promised one who would save Israel as well as
the Gentiles who turn to God.
1. He would be born in the town of
Bethlehem. - Micah 5:2 (700 BC) fulfilled in
Matthew 2:1-6
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of
Judah, out of you will come for me one who
will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times.
Matthew 2:1-5 After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King
Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

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and asked, “Where is the one who has been
born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it
rose and have come to worship him.” When
King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all
Jerusalem with him. When he had called
together all the people’s chief priests and
teachers of the law, he asked them where the
Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in
Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the
prophet has written…”
2. He would be born of a virgin. - Isaiah 7:14
(700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-25
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give
you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus
the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was
pledged to be married to Joseph, but before

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they came together, she was found to be
pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
3. He would perform miracles. – Isaiah 35:5-6
(700 BC) fulfilled in all the gospel accounts
Isaiah 35:5-6 Then will the eyes of the blind be
opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the
mute tongue shout for joy.
4. He would calm the storm.- Psalm 107:29
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Mark 4:39
Psalm 107:29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and
said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the
wind died down and it was completely calm.
5. He would speak in parables. – Psalm 78:2
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Mark 4:34

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Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth with a
parable; I will utter hidden things, things from
of old.
Mark 4:34 He did not say anything to them
without using a parable. But when he was
alone with his own disciples, he explained
everything.
6. He would enter Jerusalem as a lowly king,
riding on a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9 (500 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 21:6-9
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king
comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.
Matthew 21:6-8 The disciples went and did as
Jesus had instructed them. They brought the
donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on

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them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd
spread their cloaks on the road, while others
cut branches from the trees and spread them
on the road.
7. The price of his betrayal would be thirty
pieces of silver. – Zechariah 11:12-13 (500 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15 and Matthew
27:3-10
Zechariah 11:12-13 I told them, “If you think it
best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So
they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the
Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the
handsome price at which they valued me! So I
took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them
to the potter at the house of the Lord.
Matthew 26:14-15 Then one of the Twelve—
the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the
chief priests and asked, “What are you willing

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to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So
they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:3-10 When Judas, who had
betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned,
he was seized with remorse and returned the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and
the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have
betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your
responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into
the temple and left. Then he went away and
hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the
coins and said, “It is against the law to put this
into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So
they decided to use the money to buy the
potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.
8. His death would be as a sacrificial lamb. –
Isaiah 53:5-8,10-11 (700 BC) fulfilled in John
1:29

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Isaiah 53:5-8 But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was on him, and by his wounds we are
healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way; and the
Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He
was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not
open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is
silent, so he did not open his mouth. By
oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested? For he
was cut off from the land of the living; for the
transgression of my people he was punished.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!”
9. Lots would be cast for his garment. – Psalm
22:18 (1000 BC) fulfilled in John 19:23-24

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Psalm 22:18 They divide my clothes among
them and cast lots for my garment.
John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified
Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into
four shares, one for each of them, with the
undergarment remaining. This garment was
seamless, woven in one piece from top to
bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one
another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be
fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes
among them and cast lots for my garment.” So
this is what the soldiers did.
10. His manner of death (crucifixion): hands
and feet pierced. – Psalm 22:16 (1000 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 27:38 (see nail marks in
his hands in John 20:25)

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Psalm 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of
villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and
my feet.
John 20:25 So the other disciples told him,
“We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them,
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and
put my finger where the nails were, and put
my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
11. Specific words would be spoken by those
mocking him at his death. – Psalm 22:7,8
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Matthew 27:42-43
Psalm 22:7,8 All who see me mock me; they
hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in
the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
Matthew 27:42-43 “He saved others,” they
said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king
of Israel! Let him come down now from the

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cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in
God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him,
for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
12. He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb.
– Isaiah 53:9 (700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew
27:57-60
Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death, though
he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in
his mouth.
Matthew 27:57-60 As evening approached,
there came a rich man from Arimathea, named
Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of
Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body,
and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean
linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb
that he had cut out of the rock.

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13. After his death, he would return to life. –
Isaiah 53:10-11 (700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew
28:5-6
Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it was the Lord’s will to
crush him and cause him to suffer, and though
the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he
will see his offspring and prolong his days, and
the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of
life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my
righteous servant will justify many, and he will
bear their iniquities.
Matthew 28:5-6 The angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not
here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and
see the place where he lay.”

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14. He would be Light to the Gentiles. – Isaiah
42:1; Isaiah 49:6 (700 BC) fulfilled in
Luke 2:29-32
Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I
uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will
put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice
to the nations.”
Isaiah 49:6 he says: “It is too small a thing for
you to be my servant to restore the tribes of
Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have
kept. I will also make you a light for the
Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the
ends of the earth.”
Luke 2:29-32 “Sovereign Lord, as you have
promised, you may now dismiss your servant
in peace. For my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared in the sight
of all nations: a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

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15. He would bring a new testament or
covenant. – Jeremiah 31:31 (600 BC) fulfilled
in Luke 22:20
Jeremiah 31:31 “The days are coming,”
declares the Lord, “when I will make a new
covenant with the people of Israel and with
the people of Judah.”
Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper
he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you.”
Do you believe Jesus of Nazareth is the one
who was foretold by the ancient Hebrew
prophets; the divine son of God who came to
earth, died for the sins of the world, and rose
to life again?

45
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Phyllis B. (Oklahoma-Catholic) “It is so
inspirational! Just the little I've read, brought me to
God's dwelling place, and I can see how it'd be very
effective! Very beautiful, Daniel!”
Cherylyn Roddenberry (Florida – Mennonite)
“I believe there is great potential for effectiveness.
It is well written and the questions are thought
provoking. I think it would be a great witnessing
tool.”
Febin John (Bangalore – YWAM) “It's really
fantastic, Mr. Daniel. Awesome..... Explained well
too... God Bless you....”
Miguel Abaunza (El Paso – Catholic) “I believe that
this would be an excellent and effective tool to
evangelize.”
Sean St. Jean (Vancouver- Church of Christ) “I just
read through your booklet and I really like it.
Specifically, I like that it is Jesus-focused, built on

46
scripture references, and generally keeps to the
essentials.... Of course one could argue that there
are many additional points that ought to be
communicated when leading someone to Christ,
but I think you do a fine job of communicating the
fundamentals. I hope that helps, and good luck! I
am sure that God is already blessing your efforts.”
Deanna Magistad (British Columbia) “Sir, I have
read your booklet. It was easy to open and read. I
do believe it has potential and can be effective.”
Donna Saumell Golder (California - Catholic) “I very
much like your booklet. It is to the point and
contains all of the important elements addressed
to adults. Thank you for this wonderful booklet.
Our Lord desires each soul He created to know and
love Him.”
Peter Tucker (New York – Anglican) “Well done
from a road-to-Damascus (Bible) perspective.”
Sam Lalonde (Victoria, British Columbia – Church of
Christ) “Hey Dan, I just scrolled through the
booklet you sent me. I definitely like the simplicity,
yet effectiveness of the message the booklet is

47
trying to send to the reader. The format is good. I
give it a thumbs up! Thanks for sending it to me.”
Nathaniel Ogden Kidd (Wisconsin – Anglican)
“Without question, to the extent it IS effective, it is
a very clear testament to the Scriptures as the core
and foundation of Christian faith and theology. I
appreciate that emphasis -- whatever ways we win
people to Christ, this certainly needs to be
emphasized, and the sooner we can get people
thinking this way, the better.”
Suzanne Gyles (New York – Catholic) “Good
morning, Daniel. Thank you for the booklet. I
appreciate it and had no trouble downloading on
my tablet. I will print it and give it to my family.”
Victoria Patricia (Philadelphia – Catholic) “You did
an excellent job as always, Daniel! I enjoyed
reading this! I think it may be helpful to those who
choose to read it.”
Barry Leonard (Kentucky – Methodist) “I think this
would be a very effective tool for evangelism,
especially in a discipling situation, One-on-one or in
a group. I like the logical progression of the

48
material and the way it is laid out. Thanks for
allowing me to preview this and to comment on it.”
Shawn Paden (Texas – Church of Christ) “It looks
good to me. Keep up the good work” (1 Cor.
15:58).
West Nigeria Christian College: “The booklet is
definitely a solid potential and very effective
means of evangelism. It has a general link of better
understanding of salvation. God bless you.”
Diana Cooper (California - Baptist) “Hello Daniel, I
very much enjoyed your booklet, and I think that it
has the potential for effectiveness in the very best
of ways. I understood it; in fact it was very well
understood. I personally liked the layout, and being
a child of God is a very special place. Yes we ask for
forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but we also need
to be baptized. I would enjoy reading some other
books, God Bless.”
Roger L. Leonard (Georgia - Church of Christ) “I
think the booklet is clear and straightforward. Well
done. Do you mind sharing the program used to
make this electronic book?”

49
Towers Chelsea (Tennessee) “I enjoy reading and
found it very interesting from the start. It started
off well. The time flow was well designed. I was
very impressed with the visual pictures that were
added. I was trying also to figure out what
particular audience of readers you were or maybe
applying to in this book. Could you have been
writing to someone who backslide and need a
refresher or a person who do not know Christ at all
who needs a starter? But according to your title
the answer is well enough said. I say thank you for
writing such material and hope to see you continue
to share God's words. Thanks.”
Denise Gansmann (Illinois – Pentecostal) “Well it
seemed OK to me....a person new to Christianity
needs simple basics to receive ....had some nice
pics to it to help it be interesting...is simple so I like
it.”
Katherine Mary Martin Osb (Alabama – Anglican)
“Daniel, several thoughts and questions: Who is
the intended reader? Your Denomination only?
Looks like a booklet to be discussed with someone
who has knowledge. Not sure it is a stand-alone

50
booklet without a mentor. But would be a good
"structure" for a 1 on 1 discussion set. Thanks for
allowing me the privilege of reading and the gift of
time to respond.”
Christa Smith (British Columbia – Church of Christ)
“First of all, I really appreciate you made a resource
to this end. I think this is important. One thing I've
learned over the past few years in ministry is the
need for breaking things down for people, helping
them interpret what is going on in their lives. I
really like the part on baptism, particularly how
you've incorporated the photos of the baptismals
you came across while in Europe. Visuals are great
tools, so I wonder if you would insert more
throughout the booklet? I think my main piece of
feedback is this: I like the walking through the
many aspects of coming to understand the person
of Jesus and His mission, and really believe it's
important for us to proclaim our belief in Him and
His work.”
Adaeze Emilia Mbakwe (Nigeria – Catholic)
“Viewed it on Academia and consider it a good
medium for spreading the Gospel. This simple

51
booklet contains basic truths about our faith which
every Christian should know and answers certain
questions which the curiosity of a new believer
may raise. The questions you ask after each Bible
Verse makes one think deeply about what the
verse says and come to their own decision about it.
Keep up the good work.”
Karen Songe (Louisiana – Catholic) “I find this guide
How to Become a Christian, to be very well laid out
for the person discerning becoming a Christian, but
more than that, it gives basic answers to many
Catholics who were not properly catechized in their
formative years. This of course has been the cause
of a number of Catholics turning away from the
Church or even turning to another religion. This
Guide reminds me of the Baltimore Catechism,
which was the way many of us learned about the
Catholic faith. I am on our RCIA team and believe it
to be one effective tool to those Catholics who
were baptized, but never were catechized and did
not receive the other Sacraments of the Church. I
believe you did a great job in putting this together
and offering it at no cost, showing us where your

52
heart is. Hopefully this will lead to other material
to help many in their journey to follow the narrow
path to the Father.”
James D. Suiter (Tennessee – Church of Christ) “I
have read, posted and sent to many! Great book!!”

53
Steps To Prevent Suicide
By Daniel Keeran, MSW, RSW
The College of Mental Health Counseling at
www.collegemhc.com urges the general public
to learn and distribute these steps to prevent
the suicide of friends and family members.
Please print or distribute this report
throughout the internet and send it to all
your contacts and friends.
This procedure is adapted by permission from
Effective Counseling Skills written by Daniel
Keeran, MSW, for counselors and for the
general public found here
http://www.amazon.com/Effective-
Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-
statements/dp/1442177993
Just as CPR has been promoted to save lives, it
is vital that the general public knows how to
recognize suicide risk and prevent suicide.
Here are the steps:

54
1. Notice if the person appears quiet and
withdrawn, oversleeps, has crying episodes,
has loss of appetite and energy, appears
dishevelled, the gaze is downward, the voice
tone is flat, consistently negative comments,
irritability, or says things like, "Life's not worth
living," or "I hate my life," etc.
2. Ask: "How would you rate your mood right
now on a scale of zero to ten with zero
meaning life's not worth living and ten
meaning life is great?"
3. If the person rates the mood as 5 or under,
ask: "Have you had any thoughts of suicide or
of harming yourself?" *
4. If the person indicates yes, go to the next
step. If the person says, "I don't know," hear
this as a "yes" to the question in #3.
5. Ask: "Have you thought about how you
might end your life?" If the person says yes,
the risk is increased.
6. Ask: "What have you thought about as how
you might do it?" If the means is ineffective or
non-lethal, such as cutting wrists, risk is lower.

55
If the means is lethal such as using a gun or
jumping from a bridge, etc., risk is higher.
7. Regardless of the means, ask: "Can we
agree together that if you have thoughts of
killing yourself, you will speak to me personally
(not my voice mail) before carrying out a plan
to harm yourself?"
8. If the person says "no" or "I don't know," to
the question in #7, say: "What I am hearing is
that you are in a lot of pain right now and
thinking of ending your life, so I am wanting
you to go to the emergency room right now
and get some help to feel better right away.
Will you go? I will make sure you get there
safely. Is there a family member or someone I
can call to go with you?" Or tell the person you
will go with them yourself.
9. Arrange for the person to be accompanied
to the emergency room, and call ahead to tell
emergency staff you are coming.
10. If the person refuses, then ask the person
to wait there with someone while you call
police in another room to report that the

56
person has threatened suicide with lethal
means. Ask the police to come and accompany
the person to the emergency room.
*Note: If the person rates the mood as 6 or
over, after feeling consistently depressed, and
he now reports life is great (perhaps smiling),
the risk may be increased because he has
decided to end his life and has made all
arrangements.
More practical counseling skills are available
through online courses at
http://www.collegemhc.com

57
Counseling for Depression
All rights reserved. Daniel Keeran, MSW, RSW
Daniel Keeran, MSW, has been a professional
counselor and therapist for over 30 years. He
has provided counseling and training to
thousands of professionals and the public
through his private practice, seminars, and
training courses.
Depression can be caused by chemical changes
in the body, physical illness, and different
types of loss. Very often, depression and
anxiety are the result of self-defeating life
patterns forming unhealthy neural pathways
that can be healed by incorporating caring self-
talk and by supporting self-worth and
assertiveness. We tend to do to ourselves and
to others that which was done to us in
childhood. Now as adults we must give to
For deeper understanding and healing childhood
experiences affecting adult life and relationships with
self and others, see the reader-friendly
http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-
therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

58
ourselves all the healthy things we needed
from healthy parents. Here are some things to
do to change the inner-dialogue foundations of
depression and anxiety:
Step 1. Write down the negative things you
think about yourself, others, and your
circumstances.
This activity will bring to your conscious
awareness the negative thinking and self-talk
that is common to many kinds of depression
and anxiety. The negative and self-critical self-
talk demoralizes the ego and manifests as
feeling down, blue, sad, anxious, fearful and
self-doubting. This low mood and anxiety then
affect sleeping, eating, and low energy.
Common examples of negative self-talk are: I
am incapable, I can't do it, I am unlovable, I am
a failure, I failed again, I can't do it, No one
wants to talk to me, No one cares about me,
etc.

59
Step 2. Write down statements that are self-
caring, nurturing, reassuring, supportive, and
validating.
This exercise helps to identify the opposites of
the negative self-talk: I can do it, I have
strengths and abilities, I am caring and kind, I
can get what I need and want, I deserve to be
happy, I can succeed, I am just as important
and valuable as anyone else, My pain is normal
for what I have been through, etc.
Step 3. Write down negative things parents
said or communicated to you when you were
growing up.
Here you can write down what you thought
parents felt about you by what they said or did
such as: I wish you were never born, I do not
like you, I do not care about you, I care about
alcohol more than I care about you, I do not
want to be around you, You are in the way,
You are a bother, You should be seen but not
heard, You can’t do that, You could have done

60
better, You will never amount to anything,
Don’t cry, etc.
Step 4. Write down things you needed or
wanted parents to say to you as a child.
Here you can write the things you wanted or
needed parents to say or do such as: I love you
no matter what happens, I am so glad you are
in my life, You can succeed, It's OK to cry when
you're hurt, Everything will be OK, I felt the
same as you sometimes, Imagine the
possibilities. You are good at that, You are so
helpful, You are so kind and caring, etc.
Step 5. Write down what you would do or say
if you saw another child being treated the
way you were treated in #3.
If you heard someone say mean things to a
child or slap a child, what would you say?
Maybe you would say things like: You have no
right to say that, Be nice to the child, The child
needs your love, You need to support your
child and be reassuring and caring and loving

61
and affectionate, You need to be encouraging,
etc.
Step 6. If you had all the positive things as a
child that you needed from healthy parents,
how do you imagine your life might be
different today?
If your parents had said encouraging, caring,
and supportive things to you as a child, how do
you imagine your life might be different today?
This step helps you formulate and create a
vision for how your life can be different in a
healthy way. Depression that comes from
negative self-talk is a form of self-
abandonment and self-abuse. The ultimate
self-abuse and self-abandonment is self-harm
and suicidal thinking. Conversely, hope,
optimism, self-worth, and self-confidence form
the basis of a stable mood and sense of
security, safety, confidence, well-being, inner
peace, personal power, and happiness.
Step 7. Now you must be for yourself all the
things that you needed your parents to be for

62
you: encouraging, nurturing, loving, caring,
supportive, and reassuring.
This means you need to say to yourself and be
for yourself all the positive things you needed
from healthy parents. If no one else can give
you the caring that you need, who does that
leave? Ultimately, you are the one who must
care for you. So this means you must choose
healthy people to be in your life, and you must
be supportive of yourself and of that other
healthy caring person you have chosen to be in
your life. In this way you will be caring of
yourself. Another important piece is to stand
up for yourself and support yourself when you
are treated badly by others.
Step 8. You must be assertive.
Stand up for yourself by saying things like: I
don't like your tone, I deserve more respect
than that, I deserve a raise in salary, I feel
annoyed when...., etc. Take care of that little
boy or girl who was abused and mistreated.
That little boy or girl is still inside you and

63
needs your protection. Be for yourself now
what you needed then as a child. Will you
stand up for him or her? When will you start?
The reader can acquire in-depth understanding
and healing of childhood experiences affecting
adult life and relationships, through a
professional and confidential online course by
the author at the College of Mental Health
Counseling.

64

65
The Angel View for
Healing Depression
By Daniel Keeran, MSW, RSW
When depressed some years ago because of a
painful loss, I was sinking and stuck in despair.
Then I thought that the angels are watching,
looking down from above, and able to see my
life from beginning to end. They can see the
valleys and mountains of my life, and they are
wondering how I will face the present
challenge. Will I be stopped and give up,
defeated? Or will I move forward and on to the
next challenge?
On realizing this, being raised to the level of
the angel view, and seeing my life from
beginning to end, I understood that life is an
adventure with obstacles and opportunities,
mountains and valleys. I concluded that my life
will improve if I can persevere. I saw that the

66
sense of loss and depression were only
temporary and that other challenges await.
When I saw the angel view my depression
lifted, and I felt free to go forward in my life
knowing that I am able to move through the
momentary difficulties and challenges of life.
No loss or difficulty, no matter how painful,
has to be the end.
I consider this angel view understanding to be
a gift of God, and I give thanks for this gift and
share it now with you the reader.
The foundation of my hope and conviction are
the declarations of Jesus of Nazareth:
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father but by me.
I came so that everyone would have life, and
have it in its fullest.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let

67
your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid....
I have told you these things, so that in me you
may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.
Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
work upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls. For my work is easy and my
burden is light.

68
How To Help People Follow Jesus
1. Build trust by being supportive and empathic
as they tell you their personal story.
2. Ask and discuss with them how they find
meaning and hope.
3. Say, “Imagine you saw a man raise someone
from the dead and then command a violent
storm to be calm, and you saw it happen. What
would you think, feel and do? Would you
follow the man to see what else he does and
what he might say?” If the person says, they
would follow the man, you can say, “You have
just joined the largest following on earth of
anyone, and this was a homeless man who
started life on the run from people who wanted
to kill him.”
4. Ask them if they would like to learn more
about the amazing homeless man, named Jesus,
and his teachings.

69

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