The Promise That Founded Christianity's Faith

The foundation of the Christian faith is the promise of salvation and resurrection through the death of Christ on the cross. Christians believe that through Christ's sacrifice, they are saved from sin and will, after death, be resurrected to a new life in Christ. This promise is recorded in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, which also includes the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The death and resurrection of Jesus are historical events that form the basis of Christian faith and salvation.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to earth at a specific point in history. His death and resurrection are central to the Christian narrative and are recorded in the Bible. The Old Testament predicts the coming of Jesus, sets the stage for the significance of His sacrifice, and reveals humanity's need for a savior. The New Testament, on the other hand, describes Jesus' coming, His death, and His resurrection, bringing salvation to a sinful world.

The death and resurrection of Jesus are also closely linked to the Scriptures. While some Christians focus their faith solely on Jesus, the Bible provides the foundation for understanding Jesus' identity and mission. The apostles' witness to Jesus Christ and the written prophetic revelation of God in Scripture form the basis of Christian faith. The Bible points to Jesus and leads believers to understand salvation.

Jesus' death and resurrection are not just historical events but hold profound theological significance for Christians. They are the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing the means for salvation and the basis for understanding God's plan of redemption. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the promises made by God, offering eternal life and salvation to those who believe in Him.

The Bible as a source of truth

The Bible is the sacred text of Christianity, comprising the Old and New Testaments, which serve as the foundation of the Christian faith. It is through the Bible that Christians come to know God, understand His plan of salvation, and learn about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings but is believed by Christians to be the divinely inspired Word of God, providing spiritual guidance and revealing God's will for humanity.

The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the Hebrew Scriptures, including historical books, prophetic books, wisdom literature, and the Psalms. It tells the story of God's creation of the world, the history of ancient Israel, and the establishment of God's covenant with the Israelites. It also contains moral and ethical teachings, laws, and prophecies that are foundational to the Christian faith.

The New Testament, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. It includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which provide accounts of Jesus' birth, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection. The New Testament also contains the Acts of the Apostles, various letters written by the Apostles to early Christian communities, and the Book of Revelation, which offers a prophetic vision of the end times.

One of the key teachings of the Bible is the concept of God's promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, and his death and resurrection are seen as the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God. Through faith in Jesus, Christians believe they can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. This promise of salvation is a central tenet of Christian doctrine and forms the basis of Christian hope.

Additionally, the Bible serves as a source of moral and ethical guidance for Christians. It provides teachings on how to live a righteous life, promoting values such as love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. The Ten Commandments, for example, offer a set of moral guidelines that form the basis of Christian ethics. The Bible also contains wisdom literature, such as the Book of Proverbs, which offers practical advice and guidance on various aspects of life.

Moreover, the Bible provides a historical and theological framework for understanding God's relationship with humanity. It reveals God's character, His plan for salvation, and His desire for a personal relationship with His creation. The Bible also chronicles the history of God's people, from the Israelites in the Old Testament to the early Christian communities in the New Testament. This historical narrative highlights God's faithfulness and His ongoing work in the world.

In conclusion, the Bible is a source of truth and spiritual guidance for Christians. It reveals God's promises, teaches moral principles, and provides a record of God's interaction with humanity. Through the Bible, Christians gain a deeper understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the path to salvation. While interpretations of specific passages may vary among Christian denominations, the Bible remains the authoritative text that forms the foundation of Christian belief and practice.

The divinity of Jesus Christ

The Pre-Existence of Jesus Christ

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is referred to as "the Word", and his pre-existence is described: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him, nothing was made that was made." (John 1:1-3)

The idea of Christ's pre-existence is also found in the writings of Paul, who speaks of Christ's pre-existence and identifies him as "Kyrios" (Lord).

The Divinity of Jesus

Jesus himself claimed to be divine, stating, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). This assertion was so unambiguous that his Jewish listeners, understanding his implication of divinity, attempted to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus also referred to God as his Father, further asserting his divine status and equality with God (John 5:17-18).

Jesus accepted worship, something that angels and holy men refused, as only God should be worshiped (Matthew 2:11, John 9:35-38, Matthew 14:25-33).

The Role of Jesus in Salvation

Jesus' divinity is integral to the Christian concept of salvation. As God, Jesus has the power to save humanity from sin, Satan, death, hell, and the wrath of God. His death and resurrection are the foundation of Christianity, and through these acts, Christians believe they are saved from sin and will be resurrected to a new life in Christ (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus' divinity is further evidenced by his miracles, which demonstrated his divine power and supported his claims of messiahship. These included healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming storms.

The Second Coming

Jesus also promised to return, and this promise is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith. His second coming is expected to be a glorious and terrible event, bringing salvation to the righteous and judgment to the wicked.

The apostolic witness to Jesus Christ

The foundation of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Bible. The Bible is considered the primary witness to the apostolic preaching, or kerygma, which proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the saviour of humanity.

The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, records the first Christian sermon, which focused on the fact of Christ's resurrection. The Apostles, led by Peter, served as witnesses to Christ's resurrection, testifying to what they had seen with their own eyes. They proclaimed that Jesus had died and rose again, and that this was a fulfilment of Scripture.

The Apostle Paul's letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, written within 25 years of Christ's resurrection, also attest to the resurrection. Paul states that Christ's resurrection is central to his preaching and that Christ appeared to individuals and multitudes, including over 500 people.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is considered proof of His divinity and the completion of His work of redemption. It demonstrates that His death was not just a martyr's death but a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, offering the promise of salvation and eternal life to those who believe.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, though presenting diverse perspectives, are seen as complementary rather than contradictory. They provide the fullest apostolic record of Jesus' teachings, life, and identity as the Son of God.

The New Testament epistles reflect on the significance of Christ's resurrection for salvation, emphasising the importance of faith in the Incarnation and the love of God and humanity.

The early Church recognised the apostolic nature of these writings, and by the 4th century, the New Testament canon was established, providing a permanent record of "the faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

The promises of God

The foundation of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Bible. Jesus, being the Son of God, is the object of faith for Christians. The Bible, thus, becomes the foundation of faith as it leads to an understanding of salvation and the plan of God.

Paul, in Hebrews 11, establishes the critical relationship between promises and faith in Jesus Christ. He highlights that the faith of several well-known scriptural characters was strengthened by the promises made by God. For instance, the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah was empowered by their belief in the promises made by God.

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