What are the core beliefs of Christianity?

Definition of Christianity

Christianity is a faith centered on a relationship with the one true God—eternal, all-powerful, and revealed as Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. From the earliest records of the New Testament to centuries of church history, believers understand themselves to be connected by a shared belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and the ultimate authority of Scripture.

The Triune God

Christianity affirms that God is one Being in three co-eternal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is anchored in verses such as John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Father sent the Son into the world for redemption, and the Holy Spirit dwells within those who believe, testifying to the truth of God’s Word (John 14:26, shortened).

Creation and the Fall

Scripture opens with the declaration: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Many Christians uphold a view that this creation is relatively recent—sometimes associated with Archbishop Ussher’s chronology, placing humanity’s origin only a few thousand years ago.

Archaeological, geological, and historical studies are often interpreted within this framework, exploring the Grand Canyon’s rock layers, fossil records, and widespread flood accounts in various cultures, which some see as consistent with the Genesis Flood narrative (Genesis 6–9). These observations are presented to underscore that the world is not a product of random processes but the intentional handiwork of God.

The Fall represents humanity’s disobedience and separation from God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sin, therefore, entered the world, bringing about spiritual and physical death (Romans 5:12). That need for redemption is central in Christian teaching.

The Role of Jesus Christ

Christians believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human nature (Philippians 2:6–7). He performed miracles recorded in the Gospels (e.g., healing the blind in Mark 10:46–52), died by crucifixion, and rose bodily from the dead (Matthew 28:6).

Outside the Bible, early sources such as Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3) and the Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44) acknowledge Jesus’ historical existence and execution. Researchers like Dr. Gary Habermas highlight the “minimal facts” approach, noting the early creed of 1 Corinthians 15:3–5, which provides strong historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

Salvation by Grace through Faith

Central to Christianity is the teaching that salvation comes by grace alone through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). People cannot earn their way to God; rather, Jesus’ death and resurrection secure forgiveness of sins for those who believe. This underscores that every human being is invited to repent and trust Christ’s atoning sacrifice as the sole means of rescue from spiritual separation (Acts 4:12).

Authority and Reliability of Scripture

The Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, is regarded as the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Significant manuscript discoveries—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (for the Old Testament) and early New Testament papyri like the John Rylands Fragment (P52)—demonstrate remarkable textual consistency across centuries. Scholars such as Dr. Dan Wallace and Dr. James White have meticulously documented the reliability of these texts.

Additionally, archaeological finds, including the Tel Dan Stele mentioning the “House of David” and ancient inscriptions confirming biblical names and places, lend support to the historical accuracy of Scripture.

Christian Living and the Church

Christians gather in local churches to worship God, fellowship with other believers, proclaim the gospel, and serve their communities. Jesus’ two greatest commandments—to love God wholeheartedly and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37–39)—inform all aspects of Christian ethics and behavior.

Within the church, believers observe baptism (Matthew 28:19) as a public declaration of faith and partake in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–25) in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. Gifts of the Holy Spirit—described in 1 Corinthians 12—are believed to empower Christians for service and ministry.

Hope in the Resurrection and Eternity

Christ’s bodily resurrection ensures believers’ future resurrection. As Paul writes, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14, shortened). Evidence for the Resurrection includes the empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and the transformed lives of witnesses—phenomena still studied and defended by historians and theologians.

Ultimately, Christians hold that the Lord will return to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). All who have placed their trust in Christ are promised eternal life (John 3:16). This future hope sustains believers through life’s trials, aiming everything toward glorifying God—“whether you eat or drink or whatever you do” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Conclusion

In essence, Christianity teaches that all humanity, created by a loving God, has fallen into sin and is in need of redemption. Jesus Christ’s life, sacrificial death, and Resurrection provide the only path to forgiveness, new life, and eternal hope. Scripture, supported by historical, archaeological, and manuscript evidence, remains the trustworthy foundation for all Christian doctrine and practice. The Christian life is marked by faith, obedience, love, and the confident expectation of Christ’s return—grounded in the promise and power of God.