What should I know about Christianity ?

While reading an article about Christianity some time ago, I noticed some things that didn’t seat well with me. I couldn’t help but decide that the article may have been based on ignorance.

It’s time to put Christianity forward in a new light and clear up any misconceptions or questions that you may have encountered in the past or still have.

In the process of planning how this article should span out, I realised that it might be a lengthy read. This is why I ask for your permission to indulge you in a lengthy article. Shall we begin?

Christianity(Religion)

I have sorted through the most important points and come up with 10 things to know about Christianity. Watch out for the key words in the headings.

1.What’s the origin?

According to the Bible in Acts 11:26, It was first used in Antioch. The religion involves following Christ and being Christ like. If you check my post about Jesus Christ, I put in detail about who he was. While you go through this post, you will find more information about who he was.

‘… So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.’ Acts 11:26

2. Religion isn’t equal to a relationship with God

It’s quite unfortunate that many people cannot differentiate between religion and a relationship with God.

Religion is going to church because you are expected to go on Sundays. It is proclaiming God in church and doing your own things outside of God when you are away from the premises of the church. It can be a lot of things that you do because you are expected to do it.

A relationship with God is realising that God is the main dish that you really want. It is the point you get to that you trade the things you did before as a result of expectation for total surrender to God and his word.

‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ‘ Romans 8:14

The Trinity

3. 1 God in 3 Forms

It’s a common thing to hear someone say there are 3 gods in Christianity. Except, this is not the case because we have 1 God in 3 forms not the other way around.

‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.’ II Corinthians 13:14

The symbol of Christianity is the cross, which symbolises the price that Jesus paid for our sins and also the trinity. When we pray, we symbolise the cross as : the Father(Head), the Son(Bottom) and Holy Spirit(sides)

‘For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. ‘ I John 5:7

Jesus Christ

4. Our saviour

When Jesus came to earth, he had one purpose which was to save us from sin and establish the way to the Father by dying on the cross .

‘And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ‘ Philippians 2:8

Read my other post about Jesus Christ here !

‘And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ‘ I John 5:11-12

‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ John 14:6

5. The name of Jesus is powerful

When you pray, I will assume you pray in the name of Jesus. Do you know why? The name of Jesus has authority that no one else has.

‘Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ‘ Philippians 2:9-10

The word of God

6. God honours his word more than his name

‘I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your loving kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.’ Psalms 138:2

7. The Bible consists of two relevant testaments

Once, I went to a church where they gave out Bibles that had one testament instead of two. I was appalled because I grew up learning a lot from both testaments.

The old testament (Genesis to Malachi) details the creation and sojourn of man without direct access to God. While the new testament (Matthew to Revelation) details the life, works and death of Christ with the works of his disciples. It is essential, that we hold in high esteem both testaments as there is a lot to learn from them.

‘For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ‘ Romans 15:4

Church

8. Fellowship with the Brethren is key

In the last article I wrote about why I was planning to do a Christian Student series (Check it out here), I pointed out why it is necessary to go to church. The Bible points out the fact that:

The essence of the fellowship is to encourage one another as stated here:

‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:25

Another important thing to note is that : You must not fellowship in a magnificent building or have a lot of people in your midst for God to be there.

‘“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:’ Acts 7:48

‘For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”’ Matthew 18:20

Individuality

9. Growth is essential in Christ

Being a christian means yearning for growth each day because if you stop growing, you stop learning and you become stagnant.

‘as new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ‘ I Peter 2:2

You need to continuously renew your mind with the word of God each day in order to live above the things of this world.

‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’ Romans 12:2

10. Endurance and Patience are very important virtues

Being a Christian is wonderful. Although, it teaches you to be patient and to endure things that come your way.

‘Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ‘ Hebrews 12:1

It teaches you how to discipline yourself and accept chastening from God.

‘For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”’ Hebrews 12:6

Truly, being a Christian comes with persecutions, trials and temptations but the Bible tells you before-hand that you are not alone and God will see you through it all.

‘For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.’ Hebrews 2:18

Conclusion

I have shown you 10 things to know about Christianity in this article. I hope they answer your questions or clear up any misconceptions you or your friends may have come across on the internet.

Please bear in mind that there are a lot more things to know about Christianity, I have only summed up the things I know about and can relate to in my everyday life.

I would like to share this Bible verse with you as I wrap up this article:

‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ II Timothy 1:7

Read the previous article: Christian Student Series