THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

The Christian Faith has been in existence since the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:17-22, Hebrews 10). This makes Christianity the oldest established religion. Since the time of Cain and Abel, people have known about the coming Messiah, who would defeat the Devil's power (Genesis 3:15). Though people in ancient history knew about the coming Messiah, they did not know the specifics of Jesus' future ministry (Matthew 13:34-35,Psalms 78:2). Jesus' ministry started around 27 A.D. and continued for three years. During His ministry he taught scripture, preached the good news, healed the sick, prophesied, and wrought many miracles (Matthew 4:23, John 2:18-22). Near the end of His earthly ministry He fulfilled many prophecies, including some of His own, by dying on a cross for the sins of the world (Matthew 27:27-61, John 2:18-22). Three days later He rose from the grave, conquering sin and spoiling the Devil's kingdom (Matthew 28:1-20, Colossians2:14-15). Jesus' death on the cross means new life for those who have faith--total belief and commitment--in Him and His death atonement (John 3:2-8, 2 Corinthians 5:17). A person who has this faith has entered into a covenant with God.

Throughout the Bible many covenants between God and men were established (Genesis 15:9-21, Romans 11:25-29). A covenant is an agreement between two parties binding them mutually to agreed upon obligations (Genesis 24:1-10). All of these biblical covenants were made in the light of commitment made by both parties. Also, blood had to be shed for the sins of the people entering into the covenant (Hebrews 10:10, Genesis 4:3-5, etc). The reason: God couldn't have a relationship with a sin-filled person, since He is Holy. This is why in the New Covenant Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins (Hebrews 9:22). This New and Final Testament is the ultimate covenant God has introduced to the human race (Hebrew 12:24). Now every person on this planet can enter into the New Covenant with God and receive all of the glorious blessings that God loves to give, just by having a living faith in Jesus Christ and believing on His death on the cross for the payment of sin (1 John 2:2, John 3:16-17).

Many sins are mentioned within scripture (Revelation 21:8). These sins include adultery, sexual immorality, lust, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, wrath, envying, murders, drunkenness, and fighting (Galatians 5:19-21). The end result of a person still having unforgiven sin is death. This death results in people going to the lower place of the dead (Sheol/Hades), which has a lower and upper level (Hell and Paradise), which is a temporary place of wait until everyone is brought before the Judgement Seat of Christ. From there, God separates the righteous and unrighteous. The righteous to life and the unrighteous to corrective punishment (Revelation 20:14). This corrective punishment is in God's presence (God is a consuming fire, hence the term "Lake of Fire"). It is a corrective place, similar to a prison, until many can be restored back to God or in some cases cases there is potentially capital punishment. It is a place where one experiences the result of their sin on earth (Matthew 8:11-12, 22:2-13). It is a place of corrective punishment originally designed for only the Devil and his demonic army (Jude 6 & Matthew 25:41). Any person who has sinned can be restored through faith in Christ (as only a few are saved in this physical age, while many have to suffer before being delivered).

The blessings of a covenant relationship with the Godhead are innumerable (Ephesians 1:3). After entering into a covenant with Jesus Christ--who is, Himself, God--you inherit new friends, eternal life, the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:4), physical benefits, and spiritual benefits (Matthew 7:7-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Galatians 5:22-23), and an everlasting relationship with God (Hebrews 10:35-37). The blessings received in Christ far outweigh the persecution & difficulties of this finite physical life (Matthew 5:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-6). This is just one of reasons why I am a Christian.

God has manifested Himself to the human race in three persons (Matthew 28:19). These three persons (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit) together are commonly called the Godhead (Matthew 28:19, Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9)). All three comprise God's triune identity to the human race. It is God's way of perfectly showing Himself to His creation (Matthew 5:48).

The commandments laid out in the New Covenant by Jesus and the Apostles are summed up in two commandments. The first commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30). If you fear, love, serve, obey, and follow God, you are fulfilling the first commandment (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). The equivalent of this second commandment is found in Romans 13:9. By obeying these commandments, a person demonstrates his loyalty to Christ (John 14:15).

If you are interested in becoming a Christian and would like to enter into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ, you should first take the step of praying to God. When praying to Him you should tell Him you are sorry for the sinful things that you have done against Him and how you want to be in right standing before God (1 John 1:9, Acts 20:21). Next, by faith, you should ask Him to forgive your sins through His death payment on the cross (Colossians 2:10-14). Last, pledge your faith in God that you will follow Jesus and believe on Him, with the help of His Holy Spirit (John 14:15). Congratulations, you are a Christian (John 8:32)! You have become a new person, and you will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:14-17 ). Now, God will come into your heart and live with you (Revelation 3:20). This is so you can be close to Him, receive His power, and understand His Word (1 John 3:16, Acts 1:8, John 14:26).

If you just prayed the prayer above, there are some important things you need to learn. To make sure your faith gets grounded, you need to contact a good Christian church and tell them of your newfound relationship with Christ (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Then, you need to attended this church or some other good church regularly. Next, you will need to have someone baptize you (Acts 2:38). Baptism is a demonstration of your new birth into the Body of Christ, which is God's church. To keep yourself in good standing with God, you should make Christian friends, read the Bible, and practice the truth contained therein (Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Proverbs 27:17).

NOTE: A few so-called "churches" to stay away from are Unity, Uniformitarian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mason, and Mormons. These groups are CULTS. They lead people on a wrong path--a path that leads to destruction (Titus 1:10-14).

Gospel Messages:

BELIEVE FIRST, THEN SEE

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