Who is or was Jesus? And what is Christianity?
What do you know about or believe about Jesus?
Simply put, Christianity is based on the belief that the A.D. 1st century Jewish figure named Jesus of Nazareth was (and, in fact, is) the "Anointed One" (which the word "Christ" means). The central point of Christianity is that Jesus of Nazareth is "the Christ," the Son of God -- literally God in the flesh!
Yet Christianity - true Christianity - is more than simply a set of beliefs. It's about a relationship! A relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and give their hearts to Him are assured of an abiding relationship with Jesus in this life and eternity with God in the next.
To a seeker or skeptic, this may be a bit much to take right away. That's understandable. After all, the Apostle Paul told the church in Thessalonica to "test everything" (I Thessalonians 5:21). So, allow us to briefly lay out the questions you should be asking as you consider whether Christianity is for you.
Does God Exist?
In order for Christianity to be true, God must exist. Christianity, after all, is a monotheistic faith. And the miracles attributed to Jesus, not to mention the apostles and prophets of the Bible, are only really possible -- at least as miracles -- if God exists. So, before one can embrace Christ, one must believe in God. Indeed, before one can even please God, one must have faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith in God need not be blind faith, however. The Bible doesn't call people to fantasies or fables. Christianity isn't supposed to be an exercise of wish fulfillment. So, while God may be veiling Himself somewhat (and thus leaving us with a faith challenge), there are solid arguments for God's existence, including these four classic ones:
Who Was Jesus?
Very few people today question the existence of Jesus as a 1st century Jewish leader. Within the context of ancient history, the evidence for Jesus is staggering. One can essentially prove his existence without even resorting to the Bible. Scholar R.T. France writes: “Non-Christian evidence…substantiates the fact of Jesus’ existence, his popular following, his execution and the rough date.”
Of course, when you add the Bible to the mix (even looking at it simply as a collection of ancient documents), it becomes absolutely ludicrous to deny that Jesus really lived.
Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?
We also know that the Bible claims Jesus to be God, and moreover, the historical record (including documents outside the Bible) tell us that people worshipped Jesus as God. Those claims might be dismissed, except for Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead validate all his declarations and miracles -- and tell us that the core claims of Christianity are true.
What Jesus Means to You
Ultimately, Christianity is meant to be more than an intellectual exercise. You have to make a choice. Christ wants a relationship. Are you willing to make Jesus your Lord and your Savior?
At this point in your journey, I strongly recommend you read the following from the Bible: Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-2; Romans 3:10, 23; John 3; Romans 5:8,12; Romans 10:9-13. From these passages, you will understand how God loves us and desires a relationship with us. You will also see how sin forms a barrier between a holy God and a corrupt creation. It is only through accepting God's offer of salvation, as extended through Jesus Christ, that we can overcome that barrier, find peace and purpose in this life, and enjoy eternity with God in the life to come.
If you live in our area, visit Olney Baptist Church on a Sunday at 11am or call us at 301-774-5433 to make an appointment to discuss these issues.
If you do not live in our area, then contact a church that's close to you. Call the church and ask them two questions: 1) Do you believe Jesus is God? and 2) Do you believe the Bible is the authoritative, inspired Word of God? If they answer "no" to either question, keep looking until you find a church that says "yes" to both. Once you do, then set up an appointment with one of the pastors at that church to discuss your faith and your relationship with Jesus Christ.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the most exciting thing that can happen to you, and I will be praying for you on your spiritual journey to that reality! God bless you!
Simply put, Christianity is based on the belief that the A.D. 1st century Jewish figure named Jesus of Nazareth was (and, in fact, is) the "Anointed One" (which the word "Christ" means). The central point of Christianity is that Jesus of Nazareth is "the Christ," the Son of God -- literally God in the flesh!
Yet Christianity - true Christianity - is more than simply a set of beliefs. It's about a relationship! A relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and give their hearts to Him are assured of an abiding relationship with Jesus in this life and eternity with God in the next.
To a seeker or skeptic, this may be a bit much to take right away. That's understandable. After all, the Apostle Paul told the church in Thessalonica to "test everything" (I Thessalonians 5:21). So, allow us to briefly lay out the questions you should be asking as you consider whether Christianity is for you.
Does God Exist?
In order for Christianity to be true, God must exist. Christianity, after all, is a monotheistic faith. And the miracles attributed to Jesus, not to mention the apostles and prophets of the Bible, are only really possible -- at least as miracles -- if God exists. So, before one can embrace Christ, one must believe in God. Indeed, before one can even please God, one must have faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith in God need not be blind faith, however. The Bible doesn't call people to fantasies or fables. Christianity isn't supposed to be an exercise of wish fulfillment. So, while God may be veiling Himself somewhat (and thus leaving us with a faith challenge), there are solid arguments for God's existence, including these four classic ones:
- Argument from Motion- There is motion in the universe. Since an object cannot move itself, something or someone had to initiate the motion. This can either be accomplished by an external force acting on the object or by an outside force placing within the object the internal means to initiate motion. Once a person acknowledges this fact, he or she has admitted into the equation the existence of an external, supernatural force – i.e., the "Prime Mover," as Aristotle posited.
- Cosmological Argument - For every effect, there is a cause. Though refined and popularized by famous Christian thinker, Thomas Aquinas, this argument (also called the "First Cause" argument) goes back to Plato and Aristotle. It is based on the scientific and (frankly) common sense observation that the origin of the universe, expansion of the universe, origin of life, origin of consciousness, etc. are all "effects" and these effects require a cause. Such a cause would, of necessity, have to be outside of nature. It would thus be supernatural.
- Argument from Design- As with the cosmological argument, aspects of the design argument (also known as the teleological argument) were inspired by Plato and Aristotle. Later picked up by Christian thinkers Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the teleological argument holds that there is an observable order or design in the universe (albeit the order is not always perfect or flawless). The presence of such design demands the existence of a Designer.
- Moral Argument- Made famous by philosopher Immanuel Kant, this argument centers on the summum bonum ("Highest Good"). The Highest Good is where moral virtue and happiness coincide at their fullest. Humanity, it is observed, always strives for this higher plane of existence, and yet is never able to achieve it. According to Kant, the desire human beings have for happiness as well as moral fairness and justice proves that someone (namely God) planted this desire in their soul. Kant's argument echoes similar claims made by the Apostle Paul (see Romans 1-2).
Who Was Jesus?
Very few people today question the existence of Jesus as a 1st century Jewish leader. Within the context of ancient history, the evidence for Jesus is staggering. One can essentially prove his existence without even resorting to the Bible. Scholar R.T. France writes: “Non-Christian evidence…substantiates the fact of Jesus’ existence, his popular following, his execution and the rough date.”
Of course, when you add the Bible to the mix (even looking at it simply as a collection of ancient documents), it becomes absolutely ludicrous to deny that Jesus really lived.
Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?
We also know that the Bible claims Jesus to be God, and moreover, the historical record (including documents outside the Bible) tell us that people worshipped Jesus as God. Those claims might be dismissed, except for Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead validate all his declarations and miracles -- and tell us that the core claims of Christianity are true.
What Jesus Means to You
Ultimately, Christianity is meant to be more than an intellectual exercise. You have to make a choice. Christ wants a relationship. Are you willing to make Jesus your Lord and your Savior?
At this point in your journey, I strongly recommend you read the following from the Bible: Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-2; Romans 3:10, 23; John 3; Romans 5:8,12; Romans 10:9-13. From these passages, you will understand how God loves us and desires a relationship with us. You will also see how sin forms a barrier between a holy God and a corrupt creation. It is only through accepting God's offer of salvation, as extended through Jesus Christ, that we can overcome that barrier, find peace and purpose in this life, and enjoy eternity with God in the life to come.
If you live in our area, visit Olney Baptist Church on a Sunday at 11am or call us at 301-774-5433 to make an appointment to discuss these issues.
If you do not live in our area, then contact a church that's close to you. Call the church and ask them two questions: 1) Do you believe Jesus is God? and 2) Do you believe the Bible is the authoritative, inspired Word of God? If they answer "no" to either question, keep looking until you find a church that says "yes" to both. Once you do, then set up an appointment with one of the pastors at that church to discuss your faith and your relationship with Jesus Christ.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the most exciting thing that can happen to you, and I will be praying for you on your spiritual journey to that reality! God bless you!
