What does a Christian Believe? Part one.

What does a Christian Believe? Part one. Matthew 7.28-29 

The year was 1979, and I was a student at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. One night, a group of us went to hear someone speak about the truth of Christianity. He was articulate, passionate, intelligent, very well read and studied, and I found my mouth hanging open a few times at the authority and power with which he spoke—his name, Josh McDowell. 

Why do I describe his teaching as having authority? He backed up his talk on Christianity with evidence for its veracity with archaeological proofs, fulfilled prophecies, and the miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and more. His message was more than compelling. Since that time, I have read and reread his More Than a Carpenter and given it away to many people. 

Take a look at Matthew’s account: “When Jesus had finished this sermon, [the Sermon on the Mount], the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching like One who had authority and not like their scribes.” 7.28-29 

Something about this really strikes me. Why were the people astonished? Because Jesus spoke with authority, not like their scribes who primarily just cited rabbinical thought and teaching—no, Jesus taught with authority because he was God. He did not have to quote anyone, [though he did reference Old Testament prophecies as he was the fulfillment of them], because he was setting forth a new way. His miraculous works, never-before-seen authentic, humble manner, yet unwavering claim that he was the only way to God both astonished the people and convinced them that he was not just another rabbi. 

He said it himself, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, but by me.2 The first apostles and those who tried to live for Jesus were called ‘Followers of the Way.’ It was not until after Paul came to Christ, in the city of Antioch, where they began to be called ‘Christians,’ and it was first meant to be a rather derogatory term. 

Today many people call themselves ‘Christian’ but there is a broad use (or is it abuse?) of that term. I believe there are 11 distinctive beliefs of a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, based upon Scripture. 

Essentials of the Christian Faith. 

1. In the beginning, God . . . God always existed because he is eternal. He was not created. God had no beginning, and he has no end. Revelation 4.11; Genesis 1.1; Revelation 22.13 

2. The Godhead is triune – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. 

You will not find the word "trinity" in the Bible; however, it is a description of both a biblical and a present reality. I have grown to love the three-in-one, aware of the way each seems to minister to me at different times--aware of the plan of God-the-Creator for me in the vastness of time, space and history; aware of the redeeming, personal work of God-the-Son, both in his ministry on earth and in Heaven; and the comforting, quickening, wooing, convicting, inspiring, sweet Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness. John 1.1-3; Colossians 1.15,16; Genesis 1.2; Romans 8.26,27 

3. God is the Creator. Genesis 1.1 through Genesis 2.33 

God created the Heavens and the earth ~ Genesis 1.1 

God created man in his image* ~ Genesis 1.26 

*Created in God’s image vs. the incredible leap that evolutionary origins propose, that we evolved from what?? Seriously. More on this?4 

4. Sin changed everything. Mankind was separated from God by sin. Genesis 3. What is sin? Rebellion against God, choosing our way over his way; pride, self-absorption. Teen-aged students regularly say to me, ‘but I don’t sin.’ because they think the definition of sin is restricted to the ‘big’ things—murder, rape, stealing, etc. Frankly, because so many folks can make a case for white lies, as in the instance of protecting someone’s feelings, lying does not even make most people’s mental sin list anymore. Hence the reason that finite, imperfect beings do not set the standard for morality—the holiness of God does. 

Because God loved us, the crown of his creation, he gave us free will--free will to choose to love him ~ to choose evil, (rebellion) . . . or good (obedience). 

Romans 5.12 - One man-Adam, one woman-Eve: given everything to enjoy in the Garden of Eden, with the exception of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil-- 

Of that, they were forbidden. From the beginning, God required obedience of his children. 

5. Grace ~ God's way of redemption. We were separated, but pursued by our loving God. He provided a way of escape for punishment of our sin. Ephesians 2.8 – For by grace are you saved by faith. It is the gift of God . . . as with all gifts, we must take hold of grace for ourselves to experience it. Salvation, being saved from ourselves and from separation from God now and forever, cannot be earned by maintaining a code or being a certain percentage holy. God does not grade on a curve. 

Check out these essentials, backed up with the supporting Scripture references; there will be six more to follow! 

Christine 

PastorWoman.com

– John 14.6  2 - Your Bible—need to know more about why it is the Standard? You can check out: What are you Holding in your Hands? http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1127 ; 3 – The Creation Story - http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/creationstor...; 3 – Intelligent Design - http://www.intelligentdesign.org/whatisid.php