The Basics of Christianity 1

I will publish some articles going through the basics of Christianity. Our roots, where it started, and why we need Jesus. I live in America, a country very much “under the gun” right now both financially and spiritually. It is very likely connected. We as individuals or nations are either blessed by God or in the hands of the enemy, which is Satan. There are so many things going on in this country right now; threats that will take away freedom of speech for one, with laws that will criminalize speaking the truth from the Bible. We live in very serious times my friend and it’s more important than ever that people get to hear the gospel so they can take a stand for or against Jesus. There’s no middle road. I pray that the Lord will show me what to do. How I can best reach people.
Lord, where do you want me to go, and what do you want me to do?


Why Jesus only ?

You may not have asked this question, but it's a fact that Christians all over the world with no exception, claim that there's only one way to God, and that way is Jesus Christ. The answer to the question is, that Jesus is the only one who deals with the basic problem of mankind, which is sin. No doctrine, no religion can cure this. All you can hope to get is some polish, some nice behavior maybe, but man's nature persists.

What is sin?

Sin is to turn away from God and wanting to go your own way, and thereby miss the purpose for one's life. And to miss the very meaning with why we were created.
The Bible does say that God created us; even created us in His image. God created man out of love because he wanted to have fellowship. What we see in the world today are consequences of sin;hatred, violence, murder, selfishness, sexual promiscuity. All of this is sin in God's eyes and a fruit of man going his own way, turning away from God.


The Garden of Eden.

God created man out of love and put him in a wonderful place where everything was good and good only, the Garden of Eden, and God gave man authority over His creation.
He blessed Adam and Eve and said:
“ Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).

There was no death; life was eternal. Both man and creatures were to eat from everything that the earth would bring, all kinds of fruits and herbs.
Eden was full of trees of every kind that were "pleasant to the sight and good for food."

In the center of the garden God put the "Tree of Life" and also the"Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil”.
God gave Adam the command that he could freely eat from any of the trees in the garden, except for the"Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil”, for if he did that he would surely die.

What is Easter?

Now is Easter, or more appropriate, Passover. Right before the Israelites were taken out of Egypt, God told them to take a lamb, unblemished and spotless, and eat it for their last supper in Egypt.

They were to take the blood from the lamb and “put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.” Exodus 12

The blood was a sign for the angel of death to pass their doors when all the firstborn of Egypt were killed. “When I see the blood I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

This was a picture of God’s lamb that was to come which is Jesus. In the same way we who have received Jesus as our personal savior and have been cleansed through his blood, have his blood on our “doorposts”, our hearts, and we too are protected from evil and eternal death.

The Jews had been celebrating Passover for generations, just like God told them to, when Jesus came. Jesus knew that he was the Lamb of God that had to be sacrificed for the sin of all mankind. The last Supper with the disciples was at Passover and Jesus was crucified at Passover. It was all perfectly planned out from eternity. He was the fulfillment of the Passover.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

By His Death and Resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death for you and me.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14

The message of the gospel is so simple a child can understand it. Just believe it and receive it.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18

Listen to your heart today. Don’t let your mind deceive you. Believe that Jesus died and rose for you. Let this Easter be the Easter when God touches your heart from eternity. He loves you so much. In His eyes you are worth all the suffering He had to go through. When you say yes to Jesus all of heaven celebrates and sings. They are just waiting for you.

Say: - “Jesus I come to you now. I receive you in my heart. I believe that you died on the Cross for me. I believe that you rose on the third day. Forgive me for all of my sin, cleanse me with your blood. Thank you Jesus that I now belong to you, that I am now a child of God, and thank you for now being born again. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Amen.”

Take out your Bible and start reading. The gospel of John is a good start. Just let the Holy Spirit make the word come alive. Because that’s what it is, a living word that will transform your life. You also need to find a good Bible believing church. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’m so glad you took this step. You will never ever regret it!

Happy Easter!