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The
central figure in Christianity is Jesus Christ. As the Son of God, he came to
earth to teach about love and fellowship. He represents the person that all
Christians must strive to be. Christians believe that he is the only one that
ever lived on earth that can be called perfect from all worldly sins. The
important thing to understand was that Jesus was God. He was here on earth
to teach of God’s plan for all of humanity and to save the people of the world
from their transgressions.
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
Being a Christian is more than just attending a church or trying to live a good life. Christian life begins when you personally commit yourself to Christ by praying a prayer in which you confess your sins, accept His forgiveness, and give Him control of your life. Then follow Christ in baptism and church membership. Christ's grace is given freely to anyone who will accept it. Nor will sin leave your life. You will still face the same temptations as before, and sometimes you will fall. The difference is that now you are a forgiven sinner. Not only that, but you are empowered to overcome sin, although the fruits of victory will not be immediate. Share your faith with others. "Fly your flag." Make sure the world knows you're a Christian.
Jesus was born about 7 BC in Bethlehem in Judea, by the Mary. With his miraculous birth, he is considered the Son of God and God himself. Most texts begin with Jesus’ ministry after his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and of his fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. During the final day of his fast, the Devil tried to tempt him, but failed. After his encounter with the Devil, Jesus moved to Capernaum to begin his teaching. As the numbers of his followers increased, Jesus began training disciples to work with him. Once trained, he and his disciples traveled to nearby towns to preach the word of God. Much of what he taught challenged the authority of religious and civil leaders. Jesus gained as many enemies as followers.
As their ministry grew, it was reveled to his disciples that Jesus was the Messiah. This revelation also led to the death of Jesus. Threatened by Jesus growth in popularity, the leaders devised a plan to kill him. With the aid of one of the twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot, Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death.
After being found guilty for blasphemy and other charges, he was sentenced to death. Jesus was executed by crucifixion. Three days after his death, Jesus arose from his tomb and appeared to his disciples. After a brief time with his disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven.
BAPTISM
Christian churches use baptism as a symbol for a person’s declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to the repentance of sins. Churches regard this as a sacred ritual ordained by God. Water has always represented purification in any religion. In Christianity, a new believer often is baptized with water in front of the congregation to declare their faith in God. Even Jesus was baptized before the start of his public ministry to the world. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commanded all his disciples to baptize all the nations for the glory of God.
BIBLE
Next to Jesus, the Bible is the foundation of Christianity. It holds the teachings and expectations for Christians. It is his written word through his servants for his people. The Bible consists of 39 books from the Old Testament and 27 books from the New Testament. The Old Testament describes the old covenant God made with Israel while the New Testament is about the new covenant through Jesus Christ and God’s people. The entire book includes personal stories, poetic works, prophetic stories, God’s laws for his people, and apocalyptic works.
RESURRECTION
All Christians’ faith rests on Christ's resurrection from the dead. The resurrection of Christ concluded his public ministry here on earth, by proving that he was God. His death and resurrection paved the path for the redemption of all of humanity that believed. In Christian beliefs, all who have died will be resurrected from their earthly bodies and judged by God.
EUCHARIST
Eucharist or communion is practiced to remember Jesus. In this practice, bread and wine are symbolically used or transformed by an ordained minister and taken by the minister and members of the congregation. By performing this ritual, Christians are following Jesus' command at the Last Supper, "Do this in remembrance of me." The bread represents his body that was broken for humanity. The wine represents the blood that he shed for all.
Bible study is a key element to the spiritual growth of a Christian. The Bible is God's written communication to us. Apart from it, we cannot know the Lord or how to live for Him. If you want to grow in your faith in Jesus Christ, then you must read and study the Bible.
The doctrine of the Trinity: there is but one living and true God who exists in three persons:
God The Father - We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:48; Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:2-3; Psalm 103:19; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Kings 8:27; and Psalm 90:2)
The Son - We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in His life, and making atonement for the sin of the world by His shed blood and death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and His high priestly intercession for His people. We believe in His personal, visible and triumphant return to the world according to His promise. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14; Hebrews 10:9; John 1:29; 1 John 2:1-2; John 14:3;1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; and Acts 1:11)
The Holy Spirit - We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came
forth from God to convict the world of sin, to convince the world of
righteousness, and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and comfort those
who believe in Jesus Christ. (John 15:26; John 16:8-11; Romans 6:3-6; 1
Corinthians 12:13;
2 Thessalonians 2:13; and 1 Peter 1:1-3)