Christian Belief

Christian Belief
The Gospel of Luke records the actions of Simeon a man called righteous and devout who was in the temple when Jesus was brought in to be dedicated to God.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32.
Luke believed this account otherwise he wouldn’t have written it down. If such a story was untrue then all of what Christians believe about Jesus is wrong.
Note Simeon said of Jesus,
 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The writer of Hebrews speaking of Jesus tells us,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3.
Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate. That he died for the sins of all who would believe in Him. That He will one day judge the world.
All Christians believe this. Christians believe the words of the apostle John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
Christians believe the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28.
The apostle Paul also wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
We Christians believe you cannot work your way to heaven. You must accept the grace of God that comes through Christ Jesus. You must accept that Jesus is the Son of God and that he paid the price for your sin, that you may enter Heaven.
Thus the choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it.    

Christian Belief

Christian Belief
Here for the non-Christian is what I as a Christian believe.
The apostles Creed while not written by any of Christ’s apostles gives a brief overview of basic Christian belief it reads,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
The Gospel of John records this,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.
Jesus makes it clear he and God are one. Jesus is the Son of God.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Note the writer states that God in the past spoke through the Jewish prophets. But now he speaks through the Son (Jesus) who is the exact representation of God.
Note that Jesus provided purification for sins. The sins of each individual.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
What I have said I know is hard for non-Christians to believe in but it is what we Christians believe in.
If you have never done so. Why not take some time to read at the very least the New Testament.
Perhaps even visit a Church and talk to the pastor about what he believes.
As this blog is read around the world it’s hard to recommend a specific church. However I recommend Baptist churches as they tend to be secure in what they believe.
You don’t necessarily have to go to a Church service at first. You can go anytime and ask to speak to the pastor about what he believes and why. Any dedicated pastor will take time to speak to you.
Please think about it.

An Amazing Christian Belief

An Amazing Christian Belief
The book of Genesis states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
We Christians however take things one step further the apostle John stating,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
We Christians believe the God that created the heavens and the earth actually entered his creation in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3.
I as a Christian believe there was several reasons in God entering the world. One was to point man to God and show mankind how far He would go to reconcile His creation to Himself. To provide purification for our sins.
The other was I believe just as necessary. I believe God had to enter the world and acted nothing more than a man in order to be able to justly judge man.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
In order to judge man justly, God had to experience everything it is to be a man. In entering the world in the form of Jesus. God experienced all there was to be a man. Everything from the mundane things like the sun on his face. The rain. Having friends and enemies. Going to events like weddings.
Through Jesus God experienced both the best in man and the worst in man. He was loved by friends and family and was beaten and crucified by his enemies.
Thus when we stand before God on judgement day we cannot say you don’t understand what it is to be human, because he does.
In coming into the world God made it as easy for man to get to heaven as he could. The apostle Paul said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.
We Christians believe one must have faith in Christ to enter heaven. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Our faith in Jesus, in God saves us. Not our works. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Please think about it.