|
|
||
|
What makes Christianity different?
|
Christianity Defined: A faith based on the belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God, sent to earth to save mankind from the punishment of sin. It is also the belief that every person has been given an opportunity through Jesus’ death and resurrection to enter into a personal relationship with God on earth and for eternity. The result of making a commitment to Christ is a changed life. Believing that the Bible is the living breathing Word of God and without error, Christians use it as a guide book to instruct the way to live. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One – that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (HSB) 1. It is a spiritual belief system open to all, regardless of age, religion, sex, or economic status. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NAS) 2. It is a religion that answers the problem of sin. Freedom from sin is not based on our works, but on our acceptance of God’s grace. Other faiths believe that salvation is based on good deeds or keeping certain laws. Christianity recognizes that "There is none righteous, not even one" Romans 3:10 (NAS). The Bible clearly says that “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy.” Titus 3:5 (NAS) 3. Unlike Buddha, Mohammad, and other religious leaders, Christianity accepts that its Messiah, Jesus Christ, is still alive today. Jesus died for our sins, and was resurrected after 3 days. His resurrection was witnessed by many, and proves His victory over sin and death. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34 (NIV) Christianity is faith that Jesus Christ paid the price for sin in our stead. It is an acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God, and the practice of love and obedience that follows. Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ. – Blaise PascalEssential
Christianity. We hear a lot of discussion about essentials and
non-essentials, but what are the essentials of Christianity? Sin God is not against us because of our sin. He is with us against our sin. – Author Unknown Sin Defined: Sin translated from the original Greek literally means “to miss the mark,” commonly referring to transgressing against, disobeying or wandering from God. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV)Sin can take many forms, from lustful thoughts to angry words to selfish actions, and not one of us is immune to sin. Maybe “missing the mark” doesn’t seem like such a bad thing, but biblically speaking, sin separates us from God. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden (His) face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2 (NAS)The Bible tells us that there is a dire penalty for sin – death. Death means eternal separation from God – not just on this earth, but in the life after our physical bodies die. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NAS) As humans, always imperfect, we will forever “miss the mark.” Thankfully, through Christ, we have been provided a way to have our sins wiped away completely. God loves us so much that He sent His son to die so that we do not have to face separation from Him for eternity. But we must acknowledge our sinful natures. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) All God asks, in exchange for salvation and eternal life with Him, is that we ask Him for forgiveness, turn away from sin, and turn toward Him. Sin is a serious problem with a serious penalty. Not believing that sin against God and man must ultimately be paid for is gambling with your soul. But God has provided a way out! God led Jesus to a cross, not a crown, and yet that cross ultimately proved to be the gateway to freedom and forgiveness for every sinner in the world.– Bill Hybels Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Defined: The coming of a Messiah, one who would save mankind from sin, was clearly foretold in early Scripture. Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophecies. As promised Isaiah 7:14 Jesus was born to a virgin. As promised Isaiah 53:10 : Hosea 6:1, Jesus lived a sinless life, and died nailed to a cross, a cruel Roman method of capital punishment held for only the vilest of offenses. As promised Hosea 6:2, Jesus came back from the dead after three days.John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus is God’s son, and therefore, fully God. So, why did Jesus need to become man, live among us, and die? For an eternal sacrifice to really work and fully cover the sin of humanity, the sacrifice had to be perfect, sinless, spotless. But, there is not a single person on earth without sin. Jesus Christ, the son of God, who is perfect, came in the flesh to be that sacrifice for us. 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 (NIV) By becoming human, Jesus experienced everything we experience. Jesus knew pain, hunger, thirst, and all the limitation of the physical human body. He was also tempted; however, through all of this, He remained sinless. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NAS)Being acquainted with the things that grieve and trouble us, His sacrifice – being beaten, tortured, and killed on a cross – was the perfect substitution for ours. Because He died, we can live. Because He rose again, we can be confident in our eternity with Him in heaven. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6 (NIV)The entire Christian faith rests on the life, death, and resurrection of one man. He was able to conquer death because He was also the Son of God. Without the victory of the resurrection, the death of Jesus would have been in vain. For death by itself is no victory, no matter how well-meaning the sacrificial lamb, no matter how noble the cause. Through His resurrection, Christ broke the power of death once and for all time. Salvation was not completed only because of the cross. It was completed by the victory of the empty tomb. – Katherine Walden Redemption Defined: To be set free from captivity or slavery. In Old Testament times, it was required that sacrifices be made to cover the penalty of sin. This temporary redemption involved offering food and animal sacrifices as a substitution for the sin of the people in the tabernacle. The Jewish people were waiting for the promised Messiah who would provide one final blood sacrifice for all sins. The animal sacrifices covered sins temporarily, but the Messiah would take away sin permanently. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130:7-8 (NIV) And in Jesus, the promise of the Messiah was fulfilled. His substitution for our sins has redeemed us - set us free from sin. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NAS) “The central theme of redemption in Scripture is that God has taken the initiative to act compassionately on behalf of those who are powerless to help themselves. The New Testament makes clear that divine redemption includes God's identification with humanity in its plight, and the securing of liberation of humankind through the obedience, suffering, death, and resurrection of the incarnate Son.” (Excerpted from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology) Salvation Defined: Biblically, salvation refers to the act of being saved from the eternal consequences of sin. Did you know that the name “Jesus” in Hebrew means “salvation?” … And you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 (NIV) "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17b (NIV) Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10. Through the redemption provided by His death and resurrection, Jesus gave each of us a way to be cleansed of our sins, offering us the chance to spend eternity with Him in heaven. All we have to do is take Him up on the offer. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 (NIV)Salvation and redemption are tremendously important concepts in Christianity. We are free from the penalty of sin, because Jesus Christ paid the price in our stead. The words “faith” and
“grace” are frequently used when discussing Christianity. What do they
mean? For by grace You have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NAS) Have you ever heard, “life’s not fair!” Well, that’s true. If life were fair, we would be condemned to death as a result of our sin. We don’t deserve the love and compassion of our Creator, but as this verse explains, God wanted to give us the gift of salvation. He created us, He loves us, and He has saved us! Faith Defined: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV). Faith is the assurance that God will do what He said He would do.The Bible is filled with God’s promises; both promises fulfilled, and promises yet to be completed. God never breaks a promise and that means we never have to doubt His love for us. When we choose to believe, we apply our faith by living a life in accordance to this assurance and following His instructions as described in His Word. Eternal Life Defined: Eternal life is, in simple terms, a life that doesn’t end. “Eternity” refers to the life – in heaven or hell – after this present one on the created earth.Our sin condemned us to an eternal death of pain and suffering. Those who accept Christ’s gift of salvation are granted an eternal life with Him. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36 (NAS) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV) Did you know that in Psalm 136 alone, “His love endures forever” is repeated twenty-six times? “Forever” is often used to describe many things about God including His reign, His throne, His protection, His faithfulness, and His name. God gives us a “forever” choice. As the verses above explain, one who believes in Christ has eternal life, but he who does not faces an eternal death. What does eternity look like? Many people have questions about what Heaven will be like. The book of Revelation tells us that God will be among His people there, and the that “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-5 (NAS) Eternal life in Heaven with God is the promise to all who accept salvation from Christ, believe, and follow Him on earth. And heaven sounds like a pretty amazing place. There is a spiritual law of choosing, believing, abiding, and holding steady in our walk with God, which is essential to the working of the Holy Spirit either in our sanctification or healing. – Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I'm not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things - things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. – Oswald ChambersChristian Living Defined: A Christian life is one that seeks to honor and glorify God in all things; a life of obedience to His will. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NAS) How does a Christian live and become the person that God intended them to be? By seeking God’s will through prayer and studying His Word, we learn how to imitate Him and walk in His precepts. Knowing the Word will help us recognize our God-given gifts and use them in obedience to God’s call. Living as a person saved by the grace of Jesus Christ can be difficult. There are temptations to stumble, and other people might taunt you or persecute you for your beliefs. But God has left us a guidebook, and the Holy Spirit. And He promises to be available to those who seek Him. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 (NAS) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NAS) Christian living is the daily practice of faith. When, each day, you thank God for saving you, and choose to be obedient to His call on your life, and crave opportunities to share the goodness of God’s grace, you are making the most of your own salvation. I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes we are the church together. The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.– Song, “We are the Church”– written by Richard K Avery and Donald S. March The Church Defined: The New Testament Church refers to body of believers associated by common faith in Jesus Christ.For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. I Corinthians: 12:12-14 (NAS) Though we are many, we are one body in Christ! God gives every believer unique gifts to help build the body of Christ. What can you do? Join a local body of worship and find a community of believers to fellowship with on Christianity.com forums. Explore your gifts and see how you can use them to help accomplish His purpose. The Church is the community of believers. The Church community offers many of the things that help you get along as a Christian – fellowship, corporate worship, and Bible teaching. Each member of the body is unique and special, and adds immeasurably to the community… Obedience and Worship Obedience is the burial of the will and the resurrection of humility. – John Climacus Obedience Defined: In the Old Testament the word for obedience means to "hear and do." In the New Testament it is defined as compliance or submission – the obedience shown in observing the requirements of God.What are we to “hear and do”? God's Word is our authority, so by it, we are to obey what God teaches us to do and live in the way He instructs. Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? Romans 6:16 (NAS) We can’t make God love us any more or any less than He already does. We can’t earn our salvation. What can we do? God’s Word is the authority, so we can study His precepts and learn what He requires of us.First, we should recognize that each person has different gifts. Practicing those gifts for the glory of God is a key component of an obedient life of faith. Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NAS)Next, God calls us to love. In fact, He instructs us that loving Him and loving those around us are the greatest commandments. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39 (NAS)“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34Worship Defined: Worship means to show reverence, adoration and/or homage to someone by bowing down or prostrating oneself.God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 (NAS)Worship is a natural response for those who have experienced God’s mercy and grace. When we are walking in obedience and studying His word, we can’t help but bow down before Him in reverence with praise and thanksgiving for who He is. When you realize that you’ve been saved from sin and death, a very natural response is to want praise Him endlessly, and to “take up one’s cross” and follow Jesus. That is exactly what He calls us to do, each and every day. So – what can you do to gain eternity from Christ? It’s simple … Recognize that you are a sinner and confess your sin No matter how good we try to be, we have all lived sinful lives. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ALL of us. That means you. It also tells us that the penalty for sin is death. So the starting point is to admit your sin and sinful nature. Acknowledge that you can’t save yourself Is there hope? Is there a way to become clean in the sight of God? As we just read, all have sinned. Thankfully, God has provided a blessed alternative to death! John 3:16 says that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but eternal life.” But, salvation doesn’t come as a result of your efforts, good deeds, or stellar personality. There is nothing you can do to gain salvation – it’s a gift from God based on His love and mercy. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (NAS) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NAS) Recognize Christ’s Payment So, you can’t save yourself but Jesus can! Jesus Christ, God’s son, was the perfect sacrifice. He came to earth, lived as a man, died on the cross, and conquered death by being raised from the grave on third day. His death was payment for our sins. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8(NAS)The next step is believing – not just that Christ died, but that He died for YOU. Accept Christ as Your Personal Savior His death was the payment, but you must believe in Him and accept His forgiveness. They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NAS) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NAS)By accepting these truths and who Jesus Christ is, you can find eternal security. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior by sincerely praying … Jesus, I know I am a sinner and that there is nothing I can do to gain my own salvation. I believe you died for me personally, and that through faith in what you did for me on the cross and through your resurrection, I am saved. I want to turn from my sin and I ask you to become Lord and savior of my life. From this day forward, I will follow You. Thank You, Father, for saving me. Amen. If you just prayed this prayer, you now have the Holy Spirit living in you! You can be sure that Christ has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NAS)Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (NAS)The next step: Put your faith into action! Tell someone about your decision to follow Christ and get involved in a local church. Spend time with God by praying and reading your Bible. The book of John and the book of Romans, both in the New Testament, are great places to start reading in new journey of faith.
|
|
|
Believers Fellowship |
||
