Biblical Foundation
The primary source of Christian beliefs comes from the Bible – both the Old and New Testaments – which offers a comprehensive set of foundational guidelines for living a successful and faithful life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether a person is a believer, seeking to discover what faith has to offer, the Bible offers clear instructions, important examples, and direct answers to their questions. The Bible’s teachings offer a concrete basis to what Christianity believes.
Trinity
One of the central beliefs of Christianity is in the Trinity – the belief that one God exists in multiple persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Divine yet distinct, each with its own role in the plan of salvation, this doctrine of the Holy Trinity is foundational in the teachings of Christianity. God the Father is the creator, Jesus Christ is the redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is the guide and the comforter.
Jesus Christ
The belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is also core to Christianity. Jesus was more than just a prophet – he was fully human and fully God, and died on the cross to provide a pathway to salvation. Christians believe Jesus was supernatural because of the miracles he performed and his resurrection and that faith in Jesus is necessary to gain salvation.
Salvation
Salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity teaches that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers can have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven, and receive eternal life with God. Christians believe that by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, they are saved from the bondage of sin, and through the Holy Spirit, can maintain faith in God, and achieve spiritual unity with Him throughout their lives.
Baptism
Baptism is another belief that is foundational in Christianity. Baptism is the act of being submerged in water, or having water poured over the head to symbolize washing away of sins and rebirth in the faith. Baptism is a sign of true repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ and the redemptive power of his sacrifice.
Love
Finally, Christ’s most fundamental teaching is that of love. Christians are called to imitate Jesus’ love and display it in all their actions, by loving God and their neighbor. Far from being a banal act of kindness, Jesus said that these two laws encompass all commands in the bible, forming the core beliefs of Christianity.
Church Leadership
Christians also believe that members of the Church should be people of wisdom, dedication, and a high standard of moral and ethical conduct. Christians believe that the Church should be led by godly men and women, who are examples of the highest moral standards, and that these leaders should help direct the Church in serving God, supporting members of the congregation, and aiding in the spread of the gospel. Furthermore, Christian leadership should promote unity honoring different denominations and leveraging diversity.
Sacraments
Sacraments are also viewed as important in Christianity. Within different denominations, there are varying interpretations of the sacraments, such as Communion and Confirmation, with some churches viewing them as symbols and others viewing them as providing grace or holiness. However, one common theme among all churches is that they teach Christians to remember the holy and redemptive acts of God, and are seen as physical reminders of Christ’s provision of salvation.
Communion
Communion is one of the most common sacraments in Christianity, where believers remember the Last Supper, a meal shared between Jesus and his 12 apostles. During Communion, the bread and the wine are generally regarded as symbols of Christ’s body and blood, and represent a fresh reminder of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, and of the forgiveness of sins, now given to all who come to God through faith in Jesus.
Confirmation
Confirmation is another important sacrament, where believers demonstrate that they understand the commitments they have made in their faith and to God and will continue to faithfully follow Him. During the confirmation ceremony, a representative from a church and, sometimes, the larger denomination, bestows a blessing and acknowledgement of a godly commitment upon the individual.
Bible Study & Prayer
Lastly, the practice of Bible study and prayer are staples of Christian faith. As believers study the words and messages of the Bible, they come to understand what God expects of them and how they can build closer and more meaningful relationships with Him. Similarly, prayer provides a way to communicate with God and to seek his help and guidance in life’s decisions and circumstances. Both of these practices are essential to wholly dedicating one’s self to Christ.
