Many of the world’s religions will begin with instructions about the history of the founder and his interpretation of humanity’s problems and needs. These teachings are recommended as a kind of supreme wisdom desired to be so impressive that the affiliate should not even question them. But this foundation is the classic fatal flaw. The conclusion, the final result, becomes the product of a human effort by the designer and his followers, and nothing at all of divine origin or defensible evidence. What a weak foundation! What is needed to be authoritative are genuine historic documents of a convincing nature that they are clearly divine in character, of literary quality, completely logical and of noble morality, and practical when applied for betterment to human life. Essential also must be the answer for a full restitution to the favor of the one holy God.
Christianity offers a guidebook, a holy Scripture which is the incomparable Bible. It commends itself fully by close study due to its intimate connection with verifiable history and its effect upon humanity.
True religion must come from God himself. He has to be the sole authority for truth in his universe and the only legitimate claimant to reverence and obedience. The New Testament demonstrates the life and teachings of the great healer Jesus Christ sent from heaven and his appointed apostles as the manifestation of the way of life for all men. Believing what Jesus said about himself is key to becoming a Christian.
Prophecy from God preceded the appearance of the Redeemer Jesus Christ by hundreds of years, being revealed to the chosen Hebrew people. He never had a human father but came to us through an appointed Jewish mother by divine working. Through these people the prophet Moses was given who taught the law of commandments to reveal the sins which separated them from their God. A temple was established and a priesthood to offer animal blood sacrifices to atone for the forgiveness of the sins of faithful believers.
2 Peter 3:9 declares ‘The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise…but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’
Hebrews 9:11,12,25,26 ‘But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come…he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. As it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.’
History records for us the details of the crucifixion of the Savior in Mathew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.
Ephesians 1:7 ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.’
Titus 3:4,5 ‘When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.’
John 3:3 ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’
John 14:6 ‘Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
John 1:11,12. ‘He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.’ It is this personal commitment of repentance and faith in sincere prayer for forgiveness which brings entrance into God’s family and kingdom.