Basic Beliefs in Christianity

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6

Believers in Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) in the first century A.D. Christianity is unique among all of the religions of the world. First, all of the other world religions are based on what you have to do for God. Christianity is based on what God has done for you. Second, it is not a religion. It is based on having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is a set of rules that are put into place to try and get to God. In Christianity, God reached out and offers a personal relationship with Himself. Let us look at the basic beliefs of Christianity. This is meant to be a brief overview and not a full detailed theological discussion on each of these beliefs. I will write a hub about each one in more depth to discuss it on a deeper level.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is either all true or Christianity falls apart because it fits together like a glove. The Bible is the inerrant Word of God. The Old Testament starts out with the creation of the universe and describes how sin enters the world. It also describes how God views sin and how He cannot tolerate to look at it. Beginning in Genesis 3, God weaves in His plan of salvation that leads to specific prophecies concerning a future Messiah who would be a sacrificial lamb. The New Testament begins with the coming of Jesus and it describes how Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies that were foretold about him. It also follows Jesus during his earthly ministry all the way through his death and resurrection. The New Testament then goes on to tell about the early church and ends with the Book of Revelation, which tells about the last days.

Christians believe in one God who is made up of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The idea of God being three in one is a difficult concept to fully understand on this side of eternity. God is all powerful, all knowing, present everywhere, eternal, and in control of everything. Now let us take a look at some of the attributes of God.

God is Holy

“There is no one holy like the Lord.” 1 Samuel 2:2

God is the definition of holiness. He is absolutely perfect. If God shows up the place He is at becomes holy as Moses found out when God appeared to him at the burning bush. Holiness is also God’s standard for us.

God is Love

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God is also the definition of love. He made the ultimate sacrifice that none of the rest of us would ever make. He sacrificed Jesus on the cross so that we may be forgiven of our sins if we place our faith in him. I would not sacrifice any of my children for you because I do not love you enough. God does love us enough to be brutally beaten and crucified so that we could spend eternity with Him.

God is Just

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

God’s character is the definition of what it means to be just. He is holy, perfect, and a righteous judge. We are all guilty of breaking God’s law. His justice will not allow one sin to go unpunished. If we choose to stand before Him on our own behalf, we will face Him as judge and be punished for all of our sins, an eternity in hell. We do not have to face God on our own, He sent Jesus to die in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. The alternative to facing God as our judge is to embrace Him as our Savior.

Modern culture is obsessed with angels, ghosts, spirit guides, psychics, and all things new age. The Bible confirms the existence of angels and demons, which are nothing more than fallen angels. The Bible teaches that one third of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God and are free until the time of their judgment at the end of the age. The other two-thirds of the angels serve God. Angels and demons look nothing like Hollywood portrays them. First, angels do not look like babies or peaceful creatures. Every time that they show up in the Bible, people are terrified. They are powerful beings. Second, Satan and his followers do not have horns and carry around pitchforks. Many times, he disguises himself as an angel of light. People that contact spirit guides are not talking to God’s angels, they are in contact with demons.

“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3

The Bible teaches that God is the creator of everything. He created the universe out of nothing. He literally spoke everything into existence. Logically, this makes more sense than atheistic evolution because no matter how they try to lay it out, something had to come from nothing, which is a violation of the scientific law of cause and effect.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37-38

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up to David, a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelations 19:11-16

The Bible is clear that Jesus will return again to this earth. This time he will not come as an innocent baby, He will come as a conquering King. Christians disagree on the order of events in the end times. Some say that Jesus will rapture the church before the Tribulation. Others say that He will come at the midpoint of the Tribulation. And yet others believe that He will come at the end of the Tribulation. The main point is that He is coming again.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

“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.” Romans 3:11-12

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:10

The Bible teaches that mankind is fallen and sinful. Sin is any word, thought, or deed that is contrary to the will of God. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but they did not listen. They wanted to be like God, knowing right and wrong. Ever since, we have been under the curse of sin. The penalty of sin is an eternity separated from God in hell. The Old Testament shows example after example of man’s inability to meet God’s standard. Think about the Israelites who saw God part the Red Sea and how fast that they complained and grumbled against God. Another great example is David. God called him a man after his own heart, and yet, David committed adultery and then murder to try to cover it up. I know that I fall way short of God’s standard. I agree with the Apostle Paul in what he wrote below:

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15

Here is a test to see if you are in fact a sinner:

• Have you ever told a lie?
• Have you ever taken anything without permission?
• Have you ever used God’s name as a swear word?
• Have you ever lusted for someone or something?
• Have you ever dishonored your parents?

These are just five of the Ten Commandments. If you are honest, none of us passes the test. We all fall short. Remember that if we stumble at just one point, we are guilty of breaking all of the law. Our “good works” cannot get us into heaven that is why we all need Jesus.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23

Since we are separated from God because of our sin, the big question becomes is there any hope or are we all destined to be punished for eternity? Praise God that He sent Jesus to take our punishment upon him. He lived a perfect life on earth, was beaten, crucified, and rose again three days later as a sign of God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. God offers salvation to all, but will not force anyone to accept His free gift of salvation. It is our choice to make. All we need to do is to admit that we are sinners, repent (turn from) our sins, and place our trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection and we will be saved. Tom Harmon, who I heard speak at Camp Barakel, said that “Heaven is not for those who hope they are good enough, it is for those who know that they are not.”

Christianity is the Good News (Gospel) of what God did for us through Jesus Christ. The Gospel has the power to change your life. We are all desperately lost and in need of a Savior. I urge anyone reading this who has not put their faith in Jesus Christ to do so before they step into eternity. If you want make that choice, pray a prayer like this:

“Lord, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner and believe that Jesus died for my sins. I repent of my sins and ask Jesus to come into my life and save me. Be my Lord and my God. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Feel free to leave a comment or email me with any questions or to let me know that you decided to accept Jesus as your Savior.