When seeking to understand what Christianity is all about we tend to look at the life of the people around us who claim they are Christians. And rightly so, but this can be a common mistake because in reality people can claim anything, and just because someone claims something doesn’t always make it true.
This has led to many people to not want to get involved with Christianity. The reason being is when they look at the life of those who go to church on Sunday they see that their life isn’t all that different, and even worse, then the person who never went to church. They have just as many problems, more complaints, and more character issues than the unbeliever.
This is an issue. But my proposal to those who want to know what Christianity is all about is take a look at Jesus. Don’t get your eyes focused on the people who say one thing and then do another. Those scenario’s are a dime a dozen. Instead, look at what the Bible says Christianity is all about, and follow that.
Christianity is all about following Jesus. The word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” Christianity is not about attending church on Sunday, it is all about following Jesus in our daily life. Having a vibrant relationship with Him and acting as He would in our day-to-day tasks.
What is Christianity According to the Bible?
Christianity, according to the Bible, is all about God redeeming the created purpose of mankind.
You see, at the beginning of the Bible God made mankind in His image (Genesis 1:27), meaning His nature. So, He made you and me with intention and purpose.
That purpose was twofold: (1) to have a relationship with God, and (2) to bear the image of God to the world around us (Genesis 1:27, 3:8). When Adam and Eve sinned, by disobeying God, God’s nature was no longer on the inside of them. Instead, they were bearing the nature of sin. And every single one of us has been born into that sinful nature.
“Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save THAT which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10).
Notice how Jesus worded that statement. He didn’t say, “I’ve come to seek and to save those who were lost.” No, He said, “THAT which was lost.”
So, what was lost?
The nature of God in man, and the relationship between God and man. Jesus came to restore the image back inside of us, and to bring us back into relationship with the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“Put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (Colossians 3:9-10)
This is what true Christianity is all about. Jesus fulfilled what Adam failed. Restored us back to His image through His death and resurrection. And now He is telling everyone to turn away from sin and follow Him. (Related Article: What is the Gospel?)
It’s important to mention that it isn’t about going to church on Sunday, paying your tithes, or even singing worship songs with your hands lifted high. All of those things are good, and even important, but that isn’t the goal of Christianity.
The goal of Christianity is to become more like Christ through having a living, breathing relationship with Him.
You begin this relationship by turning away from your sin, getting baptized in water, receiving the Holy Spirit, and living your life in a relationship with God. (Related Articles: Water Baptism (Complete Study) & Baptism in the Holy Spirit (In-Depth Study).
How to Follow Jesus
Since following Jesus is what Christianity is all about, how do we do it?
Following Jesus is simple. It is looking at the Bible and discovering how He lived and following His example.
In reality, everything that Jesus did can be summed up in one thing: He lived in continual fellowship with God. Here are some verses that reveal this.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
These verses reveal that Christ did everything from one place: relationship with God. He healed the sick, He walked in love and kindness, He taught the multitudes, He rebuked hypocrites, and He multiplied a few pieces of fish and bread to feed thousands of people. He did all of this and more from one place, intimacy with His Father.
He has called us to do the same. The Bible is filled with verses that call all those who desire to follow Him to follow His example in developing a relationship with God.
“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21)
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:5-6)
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
There are many many more, but I think you get the point. Following Jesus is all about living in relationship with the Father.
It is also important to mention that following Jesus is about obedience. I did not mention this right away because Jesus said that if you love Him you will obey Him.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
So, live your life in continual pursuit of knowing Him every day, and you will obey Him (Galatians 5:16, John 14:15).
What do Christians Believe?
Christianity is very simple. It is all centered around one Person, and that is Christ as He is revealed in the Bible. There are many doctrines that the Bible reveals to us about God, ourselves, and how to live a holy life. Here are a few of the basic doctrines.
The Gospel. The Gospel is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and how we should respond to Him now that He has died and risen again. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, He was buried for three days, and then rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Now He is calling everyone to repent, turn away from their sins, and follow Him (Acts 17:30). One day He will return and will judge the whole world (Romans 2:6-16). Those who have repented will go to Heaven and live forever with Him, those who have not repented will go to Hell forever (Mark 9:47-48).
The Bible is the Word of God. The Bible is God’s Word to us. It is the revelation of who God is and who we are meant to be in Him. The Bible is a history book, a lesson book, a love letter, a prophetic book, and God’s inspired Word to man all in one. The Holy Spirit moved upon the men of God who wrote it, it was not written out of man’s imagination. (2 Peter 1:20-21). If you ever read for yourself with an open heart, you will see that.
One God. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” (Dueteronomy 6:4). God is One who is found in three distinct Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Every time we mention something like this people get really confused, and rightly so. They wonder, “how can one be three?” Let me explain this briefly.
The Bible says that we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). And just as God is Three in One, so you are also three in one.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Did you catch that? You are made up of spirit, soul, and body. Your spirit is your inner man. Your soul is your mind, will, and emotions. Your body is your physical features. They are separate, but they are the same person. For example, if someone says something mean to you and you say, “that hurt me.” You aren’t saying they hurt you physically. You are saying they hurt your emotions, your soul, but they still hurt you.
It is similar with God. He made us in His image, and He is Three in One. To speak in human terms, it goes like this: Jesus is like our body. He is the visible image of the invisible God, when you see Him you see the Father (John 1:18, 14:9, Hebrews 1:2-3). The Father is like our soul, He is the will and the ultimate decision-maker. The Holy Spirit is like our spirit, He is the inner Person of God. This is why Holy Spirit is called The Father’s Spirit, and Jesus’ Spirit (Romans 8:9).
I know that was a lot of information, but hopefully that shed some light on the subject.
The Church. The Church is what the Bible calls the Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5). It is meant to be a family of believers who are all following Jesus. They are brothers and sisters in Christ who are children to God the Father. We love and encourage each other to continue to follow Jesus in the midst of the trials of life.
Final Words
In conclusion, Christianity is all about Jesus. Jesus offering salvation to all people, people deciding to have a relationship with Him and following Him, and Jesus returning one day.
Christianity is the way true Christians live their lives; like Christ.
I pray this article helped you get to know who Jesus is a little more. Please check out my articles on the Gospel, Water Baptism, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and walking in the Spirit if you are new to Christianity.
