Christianity, Part 1

Christianity (Part 1)

“The One and Only True Religion”

Intro

In the past two months we have looked at a few of the cults and sects that are currently operating in the world today. We have seen their miss teachings and false doctrines, and some were just completely baffled by how someone could fall for these teachings that just seemed to be so obscure. But to know if something is truly obscure and false, means that we must know what it is right. So what do you believe? If someone was to walk up to you today and ask you as a Christian, what you believe. Would you be able to clearly explain it to them? Would you be able to point to the scriptures in the Bible that support your beliefs?

It is important to know about the cults and sects of the world and know what they believe, in order for us to properly minister and witness to them. But what is even more important is to know what we believe ourselves. Satan knows the scriptures and can twist and torque them in a way that could cause most young Christians to go astray thinking that are following the word of God, when truthfully they have been misled.

So tonight I want us to look at the basic beliefs of Christianity. You will notice in the handouts that I have provided for you, the basic outline of today’s message and the supporting verses.

I. The Scriptures

a. The Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God

b. It is the revelation of God himself.

c. It is the perfect treasure of instructions

i. It has God for its author

ii. Salvation for its end

iii. Truth, without error for its matter.

d. Scriptures are totally true and trustworthy

e. It serves as the standard by which we should conduct ourselves.

Supporting Verses: Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalm 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

II. God

a. There is one and only living and true God.

b. He is intelligent, spiritual, and personal.

c. He is infinite in holiness and all other perfections

d. God is all powerful and all knowing

e. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

i. God the Father

1. God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creation, and the flow of the stream of history according to His purpose.

2. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.

Supporting Verses: Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11, 20:1; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3, Isaiah 43:3, 15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5;26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.

ii. God the Son

1. Christ is the eternal Son of God

2. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary

3. He took upon himself human nature with all its demands and necessities and identified Himself completely with mankind yet without sin.

4. His death on the cross made the provision for the redemption of men from sin.

5. He was raised from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God the father, being fully man and fully God, our one and only mediator.

Supporting Verses: Genesis 18:1; Psalm 2:7; 110:1; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27; 17:5, 27; 28:1-6, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16, 28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20, 28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5, 20; Romans 1:3-4, 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3, 34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8, 24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1;1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15, 24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.

iii. God the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of God, being fully divine.

2. He inspired holy men of old to write the scriptures

3. Through illumination he enables men to understand truth.

4. He exalts Christ.

5. He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

6. At the moment of conversion, he baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ.

7. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which we are to serve God through the church.