Foundations of Our Beliefs: An In-Depth Exploration

The Christian faith is built on an unshakeable foundation of divine truths and principles. This article will delve into the core tenets of Christianity, reflecting upon the essential elements of our faith. Let’s journey together through the sacred scriptures, exploring the very foundations of our belief.

I. The Bible: The Breath of God

One of the primary pillars of our faith is the Bible, revered as the inspired Word of God. The term “inspiration” is derived from the Greek word Theopneustos, found only once in the entire Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16. It means “God-breathed” or “breathed out by God.” The Bible is not just a product of human understanding; it is the divine breath of God, the profound revelation of His will.

A. Divine Inspiration

The Bible is entirely God-breathed ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ). This divine inspiration came through visions, direct divine guidance, and the influence of the Holy Spirit ( 2 Peter 1:21 ). God used human authors, with their unique personalities and life contexts, to pen His Word. As written in their original languages, the original scriptures are inerrant, containing no mistakes or falsehoods ( Psalm 19:7-9 ).

B. Authority of the Scripture

The scriptures hold ultimate authority as they are the divine words of God. They are not just historical documents or moral guides. They are God’s authoritative commands, guiding us in the path of righteousness ( Isaiah 66:1-2 ). The Bible is the supreme authority on earth, revealing God’s will and purpose for humanity ( Isaiah 46:9-11 ).

C. Sufficiency of the Scripture

The Bible alone is sufficient to reveal the nature of God, the need for salvation, and the principles for living a righteous life ( Romans 1:19-20, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:20-21, 1 Peter 3:8-12 ). It provides everything we need to understand and know God intimately. The scriptures do not leave us groping in the dark but illuminate our path, leading us toward the truth.

D. The Canon of the Bible

The Bible consists of 66 books – 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. These books form the entire revelation that God has given to humanity. They have been carefully vetted and accepted as the authoritative Word of God, forming the canon of the Bible.

II. The Trinity: The Triune God

The Bible teaches us about the concept of the Trinity: One God existing in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ( Matthews 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14 ). Each person of the Godhead is equal in essence, fully divine, and worthy of worship and obedience ( Philippians 2:8 ). They have always existed and will continue to exist eternally ( John 5:18, John 5:23, John 8:16, John 14:9, John 17:10, Philippians 2:9, Colossians 2:9, Romans 1:7, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Matthew 13:21, 2 Peter 3:18, Revelations 7:10 ).

A. The Father: The First Person of the Trinity

The Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is the Creator of all things and rules over His creation with absolute power and authority ( John 6:27, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Corinthians 8:6, GenesIs:1-31, Ephesians 3:9, Psalm 103:19, Romans 11:36, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 8:14, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Ephesians 1:11, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Habakkuk 1:13, John 8:38-47, 1 Peter 1:17, Ephesians 1:4-6, John 1:12, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, Hebrews 12:5-9 ). He is sovereign, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and immutable.

B. The Son: The Second Person of the Trinity

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the second person of the Trinity. He is fully God and fully man, having two natures in perfect union ( John 1:1, John 1:14, Galatians 4:4, 1 Timothy 3:16 ). He has always existed, even before Abraham ( John 8:58 ). He is the creator of all things and holds all authority in Heaven and on earth ( John 1:3, Colossians 1:17, Matthew 28:18, Revelations 1:8 ). He is our sacrifice, High Priest, Intercessor, Judge, and King ( James 5:9, 1 Timothy 6:15 ).

C. The Holy Spirit: The Third Person of the Trinity

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and life-giving ( 1 Corinthians 2:10, Psalms 139:7, John 3:5-6,8, Job 33:4, Romans 15:18-19, Hebrews 9:14, Romans 8:10-11 ). He plays a crucial role in our regeneration, sanctification, and spiritual growth.

III. Monotheism: The Oneness of God

Monotheism is the belief in one God, a fundamental tenet of Christianity. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that only one God exists ( Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:57, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Exodus 20:3, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 ). Even though some people worship other ‘gods’, these ‘gods’ are not real as they do not originate from the same divine source as our God.

IV. The Deity of Christ: The Divinity of Jesus

The Bible unequivocally declares that Jesus is God. He is the Word who was with God in the beginning and who is God ( John 1:1-3 ). Jesus is fully divine and fully human, the unique God-man who walked among us ( Colossians 2:9 ). Anyone who denies this truth misrepresents Jesus’ identity and contradicts the Bible’s teachings.

V. Salvation by Grace: The Gift of God

Salvation is a divine gift given freely by God’s grace. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). It is not a reward for our good works or efforts. Instead, it is a manifestation of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and favor toward us. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, making salvation possible for all who believe in Him.

VI. Salvation through Jesus Christ Alone: The Way, The Truth, The Life

Jesus declared, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ ( John 14:6 ). Jesus is the only path to salvation. He became human, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We can receive forgiveness for our sins and eternal life with God by believing in Him.

VII. The Resurrection of Christ: The Victory over Death

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of our faith. After dying on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, defeating sin and death once and for all ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ). This event is not just a historical fact; it is the cornerstone of our hope and the guarantee of our own resurrection to eternal life.

VIII. The Gospel: The Good News of Salvation

The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of humanity ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ). It is the message of God’s love, mercy, and grace toward us. Through the Gospel, we are invited to repent of our sins, believe in Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of eternal life.

IX. Faith: The Assurance of Things Hoped For

Faith is the confident assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see ( Hebrews 11:1 ). It is the trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation and the obedience to His commands. Faith is more than mere intellectual assent; it involves a personal commitment to follow Jesus in all areas of life.

X. The Living Out of Our Beliefs: The Call to Love and Serve

Finally, our beliefs are not meant to be merely intellectual or theoretical. They are meant to be lived out in our daily lives. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves ( Mark 12:30-31 ). We are called to serve others, following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve ( Mark 10:45 ).

Conclusion

In conclusion, these foundational beliefs anchor our faith, guiding us in our relationship with God and our interactions with others. They paint a beautiful picture of God’s love, grace, and mercy toward us. They offer us hope, comfort, and assurance in our faith journey. As we deepen our understanding of these truths, may our love for God and our commitment to follow Jesus grow stronger each day.

 

 

 

About the Author

Bruce Mitchell is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who loves to share God’s Word in everyday life. He has studied at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary. His blog (Allelon.us) is all about the principles of Agapao Allelon (Loving One Another) and God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness and how it applies to our daily lives as Christ-Followers. (1 Peter 4:8)

Check out more of his work here