What is Christianity?

What is Christianity?

Christianity is a set of beliefs centered around a deity.  It is, therefore, a religion.  Many Christians confuse being a Christian with Christianity.  It is not the same thing.  Being a Christian is a state of close personal relationship with God Himself.  But this is about the religion Christians belong to: Christianity.

Christianity has four major doctrines:

1.  The deity of Christ
   1. Titus 2:13 (ESV)
      ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
2. 2 The Trinity
   1. The Father is God:
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:24 (ESV)
         ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
   2. The Son (Jesus) is God:
      1. Hebrews 1:8 (ESV)
         ⁸ But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
   3. The Holy Spirit is God:
      1. Acts 5:3-4 (ESV)
         ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
         ⁴  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
   4. Yet, there is only One God:
      1. Isaiah 43:10 (ESV)
         ¹⁰ “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
   5. The Three Persons are the One God.
3. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ
   1. Luke 24:36-39 (ESV)
      ³⁶ As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
      ³⁷  But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
      ³⁸  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
      ³⁹  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
4. Salvation by Grace alone
   1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
      ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
      ⁹  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

There are lots of other beliefs within Christianity, but these are four all Christian organizations agree upon.  If an organization calls itself “Christian” but does not adhere to any of these teachings, they are not Christian.  Don’t believe them if they say they are.

Organizations, churches, within Christianity may differ on lesser teachings: mode of baptism, which day of the week to worship, formality of worship, etc.  But if they accept all four of the teachings listed above, they are usually considered a Christian organization.

This is a very short and simplified explanation of Christianity.  The four major teachings are expanded on in another area of the website.