Basic Beliefs of Christianity

I’ve found an alarming trend that is on the increase. If you ask professed Christians to name the basic tenets of Christianity, most will not be able to do it. They are unable to verbalize what they believe or why they believe it. I’ve watched interviews with a well known pastor who admits to not knowing the Bible or anything about theology. In one interview, when asked about a well known cult that claims to be Christian, he said that if they claimed to be Christian, that was good enough for him. Exasperated, the secular interviewer attempted to point out doctrine while he just smiled and shrugged. Satan has entered the church in the form of fear and indifference.

Applying the label, “Christian,” to yourself and saying you believe in God is not proof positive of being one. Christianity was a term that was applied to “Christ followers”. The very essence of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as your personal savior. So many people seem to miss this point. If living a good life and professing a belief in God is all it takes, Muslims could refer to themselves as Christians, yet they don’t because they know that they are not. (It should be noted that Allah is also different than our God). Although they recognize Jesus as a prophet, He is not their Messiah. So, too, God’s chosen people, the Jewish, while believing in God, deny Jesus as the Christ.

Before delving into cults and world religions, it is important that we first examine the basic tenets of Christianity so that you can begin to recognize false doctrines. Let me begin by stating, differences in procedures and customs are not what defines a cult. You will find many differences and disagreements over liturgical matters from one denomination to another, however, the core beliefs are not in dispute. Cults form when Christian doctrine is altered. The Bible is clear that neither are we to add nor detract from God’s word. “Every word of God is PURE: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. ADD YOU NOT unto His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar" (Prov. 30:5-6).

In case you’ve ever wondered, the basic tenets of Christianity can be traced back to Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. An oversimplified explanation for the council is that it was ordered by the emperor Constantine to settle the divisions within the church that were caused by the faulty doctrines being taught by the eastern church (Arianism: denied deity of Jesus saying he was made by God and was fully human). (For a simple, yet more detailed, explanation of the Council of Nicea see http://www.gotquestions.org/council-of-Nicea.html ). The 300 Bishops met, voted and affirmed that Jesus was divine and fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures. It is important to note, the Council did not make up the Trinity or the doctrines surrounding Jesus. They gave official recognition to the Old Testament doctrines and confirmed that Jesus fulfilled them. The term, trinity, though not referred to with that word, is in the Bible. The writings, in 160 A.D., of Theophilus, the Bishop of Antioch, are the first written example we have of the use of “trinity.”

So, what do Christians believe?

1. There is one God (Isaiah 43:10) who is eternally existent in 3 individuals (not three separate gods): Father, Son and Holy Spirit (refer to Matthew 28:19, Colossians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2)

---Jesus is fully God, begotten not made (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9)

---the Holy Spirit is God (spirit—not flesh and bones, is not a “force” but is alive) (Acts 5:3—4. 13:2, Luke 24:39)


2. The Bible is the infallible word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) and is not to be added to or detracted from (Deuteronomy 12:32, Galatians 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 11:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22: 18-19)


3. The ONLY way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ and is not through works or obedience to the 10 commandments (John 3:16—18, John 14:16, Matthew 7:13, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:21, 1 John 2:23, 1 John 5:11, Romans 3:20)*****obedience and works are outward signs that will follow faith and becoming a Christian


4. That believers are commanded to be baptized as a sign of their new birth and regeneration through Jesus (Acts 2:38, John 3:7)


5. Upon death, all will face judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10)


6. Existence of Hell (Matthew 23:33, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 12:5, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 14:10-11, Revelation 20:10)


7. Existence of Heaven (Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:20, Mark 16:19, Luke 15:7, John 14:2—3, 1 Thessalonians 4:17)


8. Those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior are guaranteed eternal life while everyone else will be condemned to hell (Romans 5:21, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:1, Romans 10:9, John 3:17—18, John 3:36, Acts 4:12, 1 John 2:23, 1 John 3:17—18, 1 John 5:11)

If we were doing a more in-depth study, there are several other beliefs that could be presented; however, these are the basic beliefs that need to be understood prior to a study of world religions and cults. There are several Bible verses that could have been used for each point. These verses provide a nice starting point to understanding each. As always, questions and comments are welcome, either on this blog or by email to sedminaministries@gmail.com