10 Reasons To Believe In The Christian Faith
1. The Credibility of Its Founder: Christ said He came from heaven to die for our sins, and to bring to His Father all who believe in Him. Logic says that He was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of heaven. His followers saw His miracles, heard His teachings, examined His blameless life, witnessed His terrible death, and saw Him alive again. They concluded, “We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:69)
2. The Reliability Of Its Book: Written over a period of about 1,600 years by 40 different authors, the Bible tells one story that begins with creation and concludes on the threshold of eternity. The integrity of its historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The accuracy with which it has been copied and handed down to us has been confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran.
3. Its Explanations For Life: All religious systems attempt to give meaning to our existence, to explain our thirst for significance, the problem of pain, and the inevitability of death. All religions attempt to apply the design of the cosmos to our individual lives. It is Christ who reveals a Father who takes note of every sparrow that falls, a Father who numbers even the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:29-31), a God who shows how much He cares for all that He has created. It is Christ who clothed Himself in our humanity to feel what we feel, and then to suffer and die in our place.
4. Its Continuity With the Past: Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, Sarah, and Solomon. The Christian faith is not new with Christ. From Genesis to Revelation it is one story. It is His story – and ours. (Acts 2:22-39, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8) “I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you . . . For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses who risked their lives to tell the world that they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously resurrected 3 days later (Acts 5:17-42). They testified that Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. His body was buried and sealed in a borrowed tomb. Click here to seal the garden tomb and the iron seal which is still embedded in the rock. Guards were posted to prevent grave tampering. Yet after 3 days the tomb was empty and witnesses were risking their lives to declare that He was alive.
6. Its Power To Change Lives: The first disciples were not the only ones who were dramatically changed. Paul, one of their worst enemies, was transformed from a Christian killer into one of their chief advocates. (Galatians 1:11-24) Later Paul wrote about this power to change lives, “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, not homosexual, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. Buy you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
7. It Analysis Of Human Nature: Many want to believe that our problems are rooted in ignorance, diet, and government. But Jesus pointed to sin in the heart. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.” (Matthew 15:19-20)
8. Its View Of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We fought wars that would end all wars. We developed educational theories that would produce enlightened, non-violent children. We conceived technologies that would make life easier for ourselves. In spite of mankind’s high hopes and efforts, this world is approaching a terrible end-time predicted by the Bible (Matthew 24:5-31, 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
9. Its Impact On Society: A carpenter from Nazareth changed the world. Calendars and dated documents bear silent witness to His birth. Basic Christian values have been foundational to social morality, work ethic, and social relief efforts.
10. Its Offer Of Salvation: The Christian faith offers forgiveness and adoption into God’s family by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior (Romans 10:9-13). The salvation that Jesus offers does not depend on what we have done for Him, but on our acceptance of what He has done for us. This salvation requires an admission of our sins and a confession of failure (Ephesians 2:8-10).
You’re Not Alone: You’re not alone if you are still unconvinced about the reasonableness of faith in Christ. But keep in mind Jesus’ claim that we don’t have to resolve our doubts on our own. He said, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.” (John 7:17 NIV)
If you do see the reasonableness of faith in Christ, the Bible offers to you this reassuring promise: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for effort, but a gift to all who put their trust in Him.
For Further Reading: “Why Did Christ Have To Die?” Read it online at www.discoveryseries.org/q0202 or request a printed copy by writing to Radio Bible Class, USA P.O. Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI, 49501-2222 or CANADA: Box 1622, Windsor, ON N9A 6Z7
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