What is Christianity?
The message at the heart of Christianity is pretty simple,
it's all centred on a person called the Christ.
The Christ (which means anointed king) was someone who God promised to send who would be the final king, who would rescue his people, bring peace to the world and rule forever. He was to come from the line of King David, sit on his throne and his kingdom would last forever.
There were many prophecies about this coming king in the Old Testament; which tribe and family line he would come from (Judah and through David), where he would be born (Bethlehem), how he would come (into Jerusalem on a donkey), the many things he would do and even his death and resurrection, and why that happened. The New Testament is the testimony of many eye-witnesses showing that these prophecies found their fulfilment in the life of one Jewish man in the first century - Jesus of Nazareth.
Is he the Christ, the Son of God?
Jesus himself asked, "Who do you say I am?"
That is a question we must all answer for ourselves. But we don't need to keep guessing in the dark, rather if we follow the abundance of breadcrumbs, the answer should become clear.
The evidence is there, the eye-witnesses are many, the question is, are we willing to believe?
Watch the short video below, and there are details of how to ask any questions you have at the bottom of the page.
Who is Jesus?
He’s the Christ. The King who God himself had promised to send, who would put everything right by setting up a kingdom of justice and love. He’s also the Son of God. God himself, entering the world as a human being. Jesus proved who he was by what he did. He healed people. He calmed storms. He raised the dead.
By doing these things, the King was giving a glimpse of life in his kingdom. A perfect place, with no suffering, fear or death. It’s the world we all want.
Why did Jesus come? To be rejected
But many people rejected Jesus. They thought they’d be happier making their own rules and living outside his kingdom. This rejection of the King is something we all do. Jesus called it sin.
It damages our lives and will eventually leave us separated from the joy of being in the kingdom.
God won’t let those who reject the King live with him. So we face what Jesus called hell. An existence without anything good, forever.
Why did Jesus come? To be killed
People rejected the King so violently that they killed him by nailing him to a cross. But his death wasn't a mistake by God – it was a masterstroke.
On the cross, Jesus was cut off from God’s friendship and goodness. He chose to experience hell – so that we don’t have to. The sinless King died to take the punishment sin deserves.
Jesus was opening the way into his kingdom.
Why did Jesus come? To rise again
Three days after his execution, his tomb was found to be empty. Over the next few weeks many ate with Jesus. Dozens spoke with him. Hundreds saw him. Jesus the King could not be contained by death.
He had risen!
What does is mean for us?
So, today, right now, Jesus is inviting people to come into his kingdom. He tells us to repent and believe the good news.
Repent means to turn around, to live with Jesus in charge instead of ourselves. Believe means to trust that Jesus has done everything we need to give us a place in his kingdom.
Living with Jesus as King isn't easy. His followers will be rejected, just as he was. But they also live a life of deep security, satisfaction, and joy, knowing God and his forgiveness, being helped by his Spirit, and looking forward to the King’s return, when he will finally establish his loving kingdom forever.
Jesus offers all this to anyone and everyone who repents and believes.
How about you?
Questions?
We would be delighted to talk with you about any questions that you have.
We run the Christianity Explored course at CBC and this course is a great opportunity to find out more about the Christian faith and to ask any questions that you have.
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