Are you curious about what Christians believe? Do you see people trekking off to church every Sunday and wonder how the draw is stronger than the desire to sleep in? Have you heard that Christians believe a fairy tale but are questioning if maybe there is some substance to their worldview? Have you considered whether negative stereotypes are accurate? Do you want to pull back the curtain and get an inside view into the mind of a Christian (and, dare I say, maybe even figure out if they're using their minds)?
Whether you are on a personal faith journey or simply want to understand the Christians in your life, this article will help.
[If you're already a Christian and want a clearer understanding of the foundations of your faith and ways to explain it, I think you will find value in how the key points of the gospel are presented in this outlined format.]
Sometimes, what the Bible says and what individual Christians say don't always match. While this is usually due to difficulty in articulating their beliefs, oftentimes, Christians aren't really sure about all the details of what it is they believe. You might be asking, "How can they devote their lives to something they can't explain?" It is a good question.
Go with me for a moment. The answer comes down to the mystery of relationships. The crux of Christianity is a personal relationship with God. Think of it this way, when you met your significant other or clicked right away with someone who has become one of your closest friends, how did that happen? Before deciding to grow closer to the special people in your life, did you first sit down and learn everything about them? The reality is that lacking knowledge of personal details is not a deal-breaker when it comes to relationship building; cultivating friendships is an ongoing process in which, over time, more and more is learned about each other.
It is true, however, that once an unbeliever is awakened to God's love and chooses to receive salvation and reconciliation with God, many do not invest time learning how to explain their faith. Becoming a Christian is the most powerful thing that can happen in a person's life; and that experience provides them enough convincing proof that God is real and the Bible is true.
To bridge the gap in understanding exactly what it is that Christians believe, in simple, straightforward terms, this article provides the core gospel message. After reading it, I hope you will vet what I have said by looking into the Scriptures yourself. I'd love to hear from you if you have questions, or if you take issue with anything presented here. As a former atheist, I respect inquisitiveness and would love to have a mutually beneficial discussion with anyone searching for truth...or questioning if there even is such a thing.
Who is God? Is He good? Does He see you? Does He care?
These are age-old questions. Anyone attuned to their surroundings is wise to ask. The beauty of nature. The complexities of the human body. The existence of evil. The desire for significance and belonging. All these elements and more direct the brain and heart to seek answers.
(If you're unsure or don't believe that God exists or if the Bible is reliable, ooh, I would to talk with you more about that! Part of my journey to Jesus included doubts like this. Reach out or comment below if you're interested in discussing it.)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!” - Isaiah 6:3
Throughout history, God has revealed Himself through signs and wonders. His holiness is so great that Moses needed God's protective covering when He showed Moses His back. God's light reflecting off Moses was exceedingly piercing, requiring that he wear a veil so the Hebrew people could look at him.
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." - Psalm 86:15
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." - 1 John 4:16
As powerful and perfectly holy God is, He is also personal and more loving than our minds can wholly comprehend. You are fully known and fully loved by Him.
Who are you? Are you just a ball of matter or something more? What will happen when you die?
Most of us resonate with these questions. Getting answers is invaluable because knowing how we fit into the world brings a deeper sense of meaning and groundedness to life.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" - Genesis 1:26
You matter! Whatever you have been told about your identity or your value, you need to know that God created you...and He doesn't make mistakes. In fact, you are wonderfully made!
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23
"We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment..." - Isaiah 64:6
Anyone who is honest with themselves can admit that they have sinned. Conversely, some tell themselves that right and wrong is a human construct. If this is you and you are unable to see your own actions through this lens, you may find clarity by looking at the behaviors of others. Have you ever felt that someone treated you unfairly or unkindly? While the mind can present what at first appears to be a reasonable argument, the heart cannot accept the falsehood that sin isn't a thing.
Recognizing the truth of the matter, it is essential to realize the sober reality that the wages of sin is death. The question is, "what can be done about it?"
Humanistically, there's nothing you can do about it.
But God can! Not only can He, but He throws open the door for you to walk into salvation from sin's penalty.
Are you good enough to go to heaven? Is there a way to know what will happen when you die? Does God still love you when you do wrong?
As much as we can justify our actions by comparing ourselves with others, it is normal to wonder if we've done enough good to outweigh the bad. Nobody can do enough good; but through Jesus, you can have full assurance that you will go to heaven, and you will experience an abundant, soul-satisfying life that begins right away.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus is the only One who can save you from sin. Why? While in bodily form, Jesus was fully human and fully God. By taking on the nature of man, He submitted Himself to God and assumed the position of humankind. Because He was sinless, He was the only One qualified to pay the penalty for sin. Prior to Jesus, God's people made animal sacrifices to atone for their sin. Like Jesus, the animals were not guilty of sinning, so they were able be a substitute for people by dying in their place. Because animals are finite, the atonement was temporary; therefore, sacrifices needed to be repeated. Scripture refers to Jesus as the perfect Lamb of God who, because He is infinite, could pay for sin once and for all.
"More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." - Romans 5:11
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Sin cannot dwell with God. He will not tolerate sin. Some may think He will, telling themselves that they are getting away with sin or that a loving God would not condemn people. While it may appear that sin won't be punished, the truth is that, in time, it will. Any delay one may observe is a function of God's grace - He is being patient because He wants everyone to escape eternal separation from Him by repenting. You might wonder why it matters if you are eternally separated from God. Since everything that is good comes from God, to be separated from God also means being separated from good. God's desire is that everyone will be saved from evil's consequences.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'" - John 3:5-6
Through Christ, you are given an opportunity to have a transformed life - what Scripture calls, becoming a new creation. Gone are past guilts and bondage to destructive ways of life. Upon becoming born again, the Holy Spirit indwells Christians, strengthening their inner being and empowering them to experience full contentment that is not based on circumstances.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people." - Titus 2:11
"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." - Ephesians 2:8-9
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" - John 11:25-26
Nothing can disqualify you from receiving salvation through faith in Christ. Sometimes I hear people jokingly say that they can't go to church for fear that their sinfulness would make the building catch fire. They laugh it off but underneath the jest is the truth that they consider themselves unforgiveable. No matter what you have done, Jesus died for your sins too. He loves you and wants you to be set free from guilt and shame.
Do you want to know God personally? Do you want to receive His Spirit who will help you experience all the fullness of life God offers you? Are you ready to ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life?
Everyone makes their own choice whether to repent and believe. Even if you were born into a Christian home, that does not automatically make you a Christian. Once you have heard the gospel, you are accountable for your response. It is a decision of the utmost importance.
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'" - Romans 10:9-11
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
" In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14
Receiving salvation is as simple as confessing to God that you have sinned and believing that Jesus died and rose again so you can be forgiven and live eternally in His presence. If you would like to receive this gift, pray right now. You don't need to recite a scripted prayer; just talk naturally - admitting you have sinned, asking for forgiveness, and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life. If you're feeling a tug but are still unsure whether He is real, ask Him to reveal the truth.
Once you have received Christ as Savior and Lord, you are a Christian. You immediately receive the Holy Spirit who will guide, sanctify, comfort, encourage and empower you in living for God.
There's a reason you're asking what Christians believe. Perhaps you're just trying to understand them. Or, maybe you're looking inwardly and trying to find meaning and purpose. Either way, I hope the Scriptures and explanations in this article have piqued your interest and touched your soul. Becoming a Christian is the best thing that has ever happened in my life; and I hope that you can now - or someday - say the same.
I encourage you to talk with a devoted Christ-follower about your spiritual journey - whether with questions, or to share that you have decided you want to be a Christian.
If you were already a Christian before reading this article, I hope it will help equip you to lovingly and effectively share Christ with unbelievers by adding to your personal testimony the Scriptural basis for your faith.
Are you interested in visiting a church? If you live in the Concord, NH area, we'd love for you to join us at 542 Pembroke Street in Pembroke, NH. If you live elsewhere, you can listen online or visit a place in your area. The articles listed below will help you find a church that is a good fit for you: