What is Christianity all about?
The gospel explains how we can be forgiven of sin and how we can have eternal life in heaven. It tells us about God’s righteous expectations, man’s hopeless condition, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, and our necessary response.
God’s Righteous Expectations
The Bible begins by telling us that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24–27). He is therefore the rightful ruler of all things (1 Timothy 6:15), meaning that He alone deserves the heartfelt worship and obedience of every person (Exodus 20:3).
God’s Righteous Expectations
The Bible begins by telling us that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24–27). He is therefore the rightful ruler of all things (1 Timothy 6:15), meaning that He alone deserves the heartfelt worship and obedience of every person (Exodus 20:3).
In fact, the reason God created human beings was so they would lovingly serve Him and bring Him glory as the caretakers of this earth (Genesis 1:28; Isaiah 43:7), and so that as a result they might find perfect fulfillment and joy in their loving fellowship with Him (cf. Revelation 21:2–3; 22:3–4).
The Scriptures go on to teach that God is completely righteous and holy (Deuteronomy 32:4). Both His character and His Word are absolutely perfect (Psalm 19:7–11). As the just Judge of the universe, He knows and evaluates the thoughts and actions of every person (Psalm 139:1–4; Proverbs 15:3). Each man and woman will one day stand before Him to give an account for how he or she lived (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
Man’s Hopeless Condition
The universe was originally created perfect, until Adam and Eve (the first man and woman) directly disobeyed their Creator (Genesis 1:1–3:6). Their disobedience or “sin” introduced evil, suffering, and death into the world (Genesis 3:7–19).
The Scriptures go on to teach that God is completely righteous and holy (Deuteronomy 32:4). Both His character and His Word are absolutely perfect (Psalm 19:7–11). As the just Judge of the universe, He knows and evaluates the thoughts and actions of every person (Psalm 139:1–4; Proverbs 15:3). Each man and woman will one day stand before Him to give an account for how he or she lived (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
Man’s Hopeless Condition
The universe was originally created perfect, until Adam and Eve (the first man and woman) directly disobeyed their Creator (Genesis 1:1–3:6). Their disobedience or “sin” introduced evil, suffering, and death into the world (Genesis 3:7–19).
It also permanently stained the moral fiber of mankind, not only for Adam and Eve but also for their descendants (Romans 5:12). As a result, every person who has ever lived (with the exception of Jesus Christ) is a sinner—both by nature and by choice (Romans 3:23). Because no one perfectly worships God or follows His commands (Mark 12:30; James 2:10), we are all sinners who deserve to be punished.
The Bible teaches that the consequence for our sin is twofold: physical death in this life and spiritual death in the next (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death is described in Scripture as eternal separation from God in a place called hell (Revelation 20:11–15). The Bible also explains that, like convicted criminals on death row, there is nothing we can do in our own efforts to erase our guilt (Romans 3:10–18). Though we might consider ourselves to be “good” people, God’s standard is perfection—and there are no perfect people. We all therefore stand hopelessly condemned before the divine Judge, God Himself.
Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice
Thankfully, in His infinite mercy and love, God has offered us a pardon for our sin. He knew that we could not save ourselves, so He sent us His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Jesus, who as God took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14), was born in Israel some two thousand years ago.
The Bible teaches that the consequence for our sin is twofold: physical death in this life and spiritual death in the next (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death is described in Scripture as eternal separation from God in a place called hell (Revelation 20:11–15). The Bible also explains that, like convicted criminals on death row, there is nothing we can do in our own efforts to erase our guilt (Romans 3:10–18). Though we might consider ourselves to be “good” people, God’s standard is perfection—and there are no perfect people. We all therefore stand hopelessly condemned before the divine Judge, God Himself.
Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice
Thankfully, in His infinite mercy and love, God has offered us a pardon for our sin. He knew that we could not save ourselves, so He sent us His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Jesus, who as God took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14), was born in Israel some two thousand years ago.
He lived a perfect life and then paid the penalty for sin by dying on a cross (Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 3:18). He did not deserve to die because He never sinned. Yet He chose to die so that He could take the place of those He came to save. He endured the penalty that they rightfully deserved, meaning that He was their substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:9–10).
Jesus was buried after the Roman soldiers confirmed that He was dead. But, miraculously, He didn’t stay in the tomb. Three days later He conquered death and rose from the grave, demonstrating that His sacrifice had satisfied God’s justice (Romans 1:4). He then ascended into heaven, where He remains to this day (Acts 1:9–11).
As the Savior of the world, Jesus offers forgiveness from sin and salvation to all those who place their faith in Him (John 6:40; Romans 5:8–10). The Bible makes it clear that He is the only way to be made right with God (John 14:6). Pardon for sin comes by no other means. Acts 4:12 clearly says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus Christ alone is God’s solution for our sin.
Our Necessary Response
Since salvation is found only in Christ, it cannot be found in our own righteous efforts (Ephesians 2:8–10). It is based on His work, not ours. The Bible is very clear that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s saving grace (Titus 3:5–7). Nonetheless, Jesus’ free offer of salvation demands a response on our part.
Recognizing that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior, we must cry out to God for mercy and wholly embrace in faith the pardon He has provided for us through His Son (cf. Luke 18:13–14; Acts 16:30–31). We must believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be (see Section 5 of this book) and trust in His death as the payment for our sin (John 11:25–26; Colossians 2:13–14). As Romans 10:9 promises, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
In turning to God, we must also repent and turn away from our sin (Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). With our hearts regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), our greatest aim will be to follow and serve the Lord wholeheartedly (John 10:27; 12:26). After all, those who are genuine children of God will embrace His Son in love (John 8:42) and demonstrate that love through a life of obedience (John 14:15; cf. Romans 6:17–18).
Those who truly believe in Christ are given the promise of heaven, where they will spend eternity worshiping their Lord and Savior (Revelation 21–22). But those who do not trust in Christ will one day stand before God and face the devastating consequences of their sin (Hebrews 9:27). Because they have no substitute, they will pay for their sins themselves.
Coming Full Circle
The message that wicked people can find everlasting peace with God through Jesus Christ is what Christianity is all about. The Bible even says that God freely extends His forgiveness and salvation to any and all who are willing to receive it (John 6:37; Matthew 11:28). The promise of heaven, the freedom of forgiveness, a saving relationship with God Himself—that is what the Bible offers.
Busenitz, N. (2008). Reasons We Believe: 50 Lines of Evidence that Confirm the Christian Faith (pp. 26–29). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Jesus was buried after the Roman soldiers confirmed that He was dead. But, miraculously, He didn’t stay in the tomb. Three days later He conquered death and rose from the grave, demonstrating that His sacrifice had satisfied God’s justice (Romans 1:4). He then ascended into heaven, where He remains to this day (Acts 1:9–11).
As the Savior of the world, Jesus offers forgiveness from sin and salvation to all those who place their faith in Him (John 6:40; Romans 5:8–10). The Bible makes it clear that He is the only way to be made right with God (John 14:6). Pardon for sin comes by no other means. Acts 4:12 clearly says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus Christ alone is God’s solution for our sin.
Our Necessary Response
Since salvation is found only in Christ, it cannot be found in our own righteous efforts (Ephesians 2:8–10). It is based on His work, not ours. The Bible is very clear that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s saving grace (Titus 3:5–7). Nonetheless, Jesus’ free offer of salvation demands a response on our part.
Recognizing that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior, we must cry out to God for mercy and wholly embrace in faith the pardon He has provided for us through His Son (cf. Luke 18:13–14; Acts 16:30–31). We must believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be (see Section 5 of this book) and trust in His death as the payment for our sin (John 11:25–26; Colossians 2:13–14). As Romans 10:9 promises, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
In turning to God, we must also repent and turn away from our sin (Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). With our hearts regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), our greatest aim will be to follow and serve the Lord wholeheartedly (John 10:27; 12:26). After all, those who are genuine children of God will embrace His Son in love (John 8:42) and demonstrate that love through a life of obedience (John 14:15; cf. Romans 6:17–18).
Those who truly believe in Christ are given the promise of heaven, where they will spend eternity worshiping their Lord and Savior (Revelation 21–22). But those who do not trust in Christ will one day stand before God and face the devastating consequences of their sin (Hebrews 9:27). Because they have no substitute, they will pay for their sins themselves.
Coming Full Circle
The message that wicked people can find everlasting peace with God through Jesus Christ is what Christianity is all about. The Bible even says that God freely extends His forgiveness and salvation to any and all who are willing to receive it (John 6:37; Matthew 11:28). The promise of heaven, the freedom of forgiveness, a saving relationship with God Himself—that is what the Bible offers.
Busenitz, N. (2008). Reasons We Believe: 50 Lines of Evidence that Confirm the Christian Faith (pp. 26–29). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
