Belief in God as Trinity
Christianity holds a core belief that there is one God who is triune – that is, he is three persons in one Godhead. This is known as the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and its formative nature in Christian faith is best stated in the Nicene Creed, “We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.”
Belief in the Trinity is a cornerstone of Christian faith. It means that God is infinitely powerful and that He is also a triune being comprising of three actual persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity has its own distinctive role in the relationship between the Creator and creation. In terms of the Father, he is the initiator of all things and the ultimate ruler of the universe; in regards to the Son, He is the one who died for humankind’s sins and was resurrected, thus providing an example to be followed; the role of the Holy Spirit is to bring God’s love, power and forgiveness into the lives of the faithful.
Belief in Jesus Christ as Savior
Central to Christian faith is the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to salvation. This belief is heavily embedded in the Christian Scriptures, primarily through the four Gospels. Christianity claims Jesus as God’s only Son and as the only one who can deliver people from the consequences of their sins.
Beyond His status as the divine son of God, Christianity also holds the belief that Jesus was born into the human race in a miraculous way. He was born of a virgin, Mary, and was fully man, in all aspects, yet also fully God. He lived an exemplary life on earth and gave his life to be crucified for the sins of mankind. As an act of redemption, Jesus was subsequently resurrected and ascended into Heaven where He now reigns in glory and stands as the only mediator between God and man.
Belief in Salvation by God’s Grace
According to Christian doctrine, only God can provide salvation, and it is only through His grace that all people can come to him and find forgiveness. Christians accept that no one can be saved by anything they do but only by what God has done in salvation. This is known as the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.
This faith is necessary to receive the gift of eternal life. All people have sinned and are in need of grace. The belief is that God made a way to provide it through sending His son to die for the sins of the world. God’s grace is the only means by which a person can be saved and taken into eternity. By faith, believers enter into a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus as their savior and trusting in Him as the only one who can provide them with forgiveness and eternal life.
Belief in the Sanctity of Scripture
Christians also hold a strong belief in the sanctity of Scripture, more particularly the Bible. The Bible is composed of two vital parts – the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament narrates the history of the Jewish people and their relationship with God, while the New Testament deals with the ministry of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Church. Christians hold that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the authoritative source by which one can learn the truth about God.
The Bible is also held to be practical and applicable in one’s daily life. Likewise, it contains the teachings and principles that can be used to discern right from wrong and guide us in living a life that is pleasing to God. Consequently, Christians practice a devoted and dedicated study and reverence of the Word of God. They believe it is the source of God’s instruction, and it also serves as the prime source from which spiritual knowledge is obtained.
Belief in the Church as the Body of Christ
The Church is a very important aspect of Christianity and the faith includes a strong belief in its significance. The Church is seen as the Body of Christ and the collective of God’s called-out ones – those chosen to join Him in His mission to bring in the kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Every believer is united to the body of Christ and is assigned a role within the body. Together they complete the spiritual mission of Jesus – to bring in the Kingdom of God.
The Church is seen as a community of believers who have consecrated themselves to a common purpose – to serve God through worship, care for one another, spread the gospel, and do the work of God in the world. Consequently, the church is not seen as a building but rather as a spiritual entity. As such, the Christian faith places much emphasis on the importance of the Church, its community, fellowship and unity.
Belief of Last Judgment and the Afterlife
Christianity is a faith based on the belief of an afterlife, where good or bad deeds done in this life will be rewarded or punished in judgment. It is believed that after death, every human will be judged according to their deeds, and their souls will be sent either to Heaven or Hell according to God’s justice. The belief of a future judgment is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.
In addition to this, the faith also teaches that after death, souls will live on in eternity and experience either everlasting bliss in Heaven or punishment in Hell. The judgment is seen as an act of mercy and justice by God to determine our status in eternity. Christians believe the judgment will be unbiased and just, as God has no partiality and is not swayed by any power or influence.
Belief of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming
Central to Christian faith is the belief that Jesus Christ will come again to establish His kingdom upon the earth. This belief is known as the Second Coming and is expressed as a certainty throughout the Christian Scriptures. It is believed that Jesus will personally return in glory to judge the world and establish His rule.
The time of His coming is unknown, thus the Second Coming is seen as a reminder that everyone should be living in expectation and readiness of His coming. It is a call to the Church to live a life of holiness and dedication, free from the love of material things and the temptation of sin, while they wait in anticipation for the return of the King who will bring justice and glory to His people.
Belief of a Tripartite view of Humankind
The Christian faith includes a strong belief in the tripartite view of humankind. This view is based on the biblical account that man is composed of three parts – the body, the soul, and the spirit.
The body is the physical form of man – the physical manifestation of God’s creative work. The soul is the immaterial part of man, containing the thoughts and feelings, and the seat of personality. It is through the soul that humans understand and relate to each other and to God. The spirit is the highest part of man, connecting him to God, allowing for communication and transformation. The spirit is seen as the life-giving principle of man and is the source of faith, hope and love.
The tripartite view of man is a reminder of the importance of the human spirit, and that we are not just physical creatures but creatures of the spirit, with an eternal connection to our Creator.
Belief in Humanity’s Need of Redemption
Lastly, Christianity holds the belief that humanity is in need of redemption. This originates from the belief that all have sinned and are fallen spiritually, as evidenced through death and suffering.
Therefore, the faith includes the teaching of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ – the sole source of redemption for the human race. Redemption is therefore seen as the act of God by which He forgives the sins of those who believe in Him and gives them the possibility to be reconciled to Himself. It is also a reminder that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and only Jesus is the one who can provide salvation.
