What defines Biblical Christianity?

Definition and Core Principles

Biblical Christianity centers on the belief that there is one eternal God who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). It highlights a personal relationship with God, based on Scripture’s testimony that humanity was made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Through this relationship, believers seek salvation in Christ, who is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14). Biblical Christianity teaches that the Holy Spirit, sharing the same eternal Being, indwells believers, enabling them to know God’s truth.

This faith system rests upon the conviction that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is completely trustworthy and authoritative, providing all the core beliefs and practices that define a Christian’s life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The term “Biblical Christianity” underscores the primacy of Scripture in shaping doctrine, worship, morality, and daily living.

Historical Foundation

Historically, the early followers of Jesus affirmed His resurrection as the pivotal event validating His identity as the promised Messiah. Outside the biblical texts, non-Christian sources such as Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18) and Tacitus (Annals 15.44) confirm the historically recognizable figure of Jesus and the early movement that believed in His resurrection.

Archaeological discoveries—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which have major overlaps with Old Testament texts—demonstrate the meticulous transmission of Scripture over centuries. These scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century near the Qumran community, preserve readings remarkably similar to modern Hebrew manuscripts, reinforcing confidence in the Bible’s consistency and accuracy.

Central Doctrines

1. Trinity: There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

2. Christ’s Deity and Incarnation: Jesus is both God and man (Philippians 2:6–7). He entered history through the Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23) while maintaining His eternal divine nature.

3. Atonement and Resurrection: Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross fully paid the penalty for sin (1 Peter 2:24). His bodily resurrection (Luke 24:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:3–6) confirms His lordship and guarantees the believer’s future resurrection.

4. Salvation by Grace through Faith: Scripture states that salvation is a gift from God, received by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).

5. Scriptural Authority: The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

These distinct doctrines define Biblical Christianity as a framework of trust in Christ’s work, dependence on God’s revelation, and worship of the triune God.

Scriptural Authority

Biblical Christians hold that all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are God-breathed and harmoniously point to redemptive themes. The self-consistency of Scripture, observed through the Old Testament’s messianic prophecies and their New Testament fulfillments, is a major pillar of faith. For instance, Isaiah 53 prefigures Christ’s suffering and atonement, while the Gospels demonstrate its fulfillment (Matthew 8:17; Acts 8:32–35).

Textual scholars point to thousands of Greek New Testament manuscripts, as well as early translations and patristic citations, which corroborate that we possess a text fundamentally unchanged in doctrinal content from what was originally written. Where minor textual variants exist, they do not alter core Christian teachings but reflect ordinary processes of transcription. This manuscript wealth surpasses that for other ancient works, lending reliable evidence to the claims of the biblical record.

Christology

Central to Biblical Christianity is recognizing Jesus Christ as fully divine and fully human (Colossians 2:9). His pre-existence is affirmed in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Through Him, all things were created (John 1:3). The incarnation demonstrates God’s love, revealing a divine plan to reconcile fallen humanity.

Christ’s role as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) underscores His domain as both suffering Savior and conquering King. His sinless life, recorded testimony, and demonstrated miracles confirm His deity. The Gospels, upheld through robust textual and historical evidence, outline His teachings and redemptive mission.

Soteriology (Salvation)

Biblical Christianity teaches that humans are born in a state of sin and in need of redemption (Romans 3:23). Salvation is granted through faith alone in Christ’s complete work on the cross. Ephesians 2:8–9 emphasizes: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Upon receiving Christ, believers enter a restored relationship with God (Romans 5:1). This regenerative work of the Holy Spirit leaves them declared righteous before God, adopted as children, and indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:15–16). The believer’s ongoing sanctification leads to a life increasingly reflecting God’s righteousness and love (Philippians 1:6).

Intelligent Design and Creation

Biblical Christianity upholds the belief that the cosmos is intentionally designed. The opening statement of Scripture—“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)—shapes how believers view the natural world, seeing it as the orderly work of a personal Creator rather than a product of random chance.

Many who hold this view underscore scientific observations they believe to be consistent with design, including:

• The complexity of biological life, observable at molecular and cellular levels, reflecting specified complexity.

• The fossil record phenomena such as the Cambrian Explosion, where animal life appears rapidly without clear transitional predecessors, highlighting inventive design.

• Geological processes, illustrated by catastrophic events like the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, which formed canyons and geological features rapidly—examples often cited to parallel a global flood model (Genesis 6–9).

Young earth proponents integrate genealogical data (Genesis 5, 11) and other chronological aspects to estimate a relatively brief timescale for Earth’s history. They argue that such interpretations align with what they perceive to be direct biblical statements and selected empirical data.

Miracles and Resurrection

Miracles are integral to Biblical Christianity. The Gospels attest to wonders such as healings, nature miracles, and most importantly, Christ’s bodily resurrection (Luke 24:39–43). Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate miracle that undergirds the Christian proclamation of His deity and saving authority (Romans 1:4).

Historically, the early disciples, despite persecution, never recanted their claims of encountering the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). Multiple lines of evidence contribute to a cumulative case encouraging faith in the resurrection, including the empty tomb, documented appearances, and early adherents’ willingness to die rather than deny their testimony. Modern testimonies of miraculous healings and transformations also echo the scriptural portrayal of God’s power at work in the world.

Practical Living and Christian Conduct

In Biblical Christianity, faith is revealed in action (James 2:17). Believers seek to follow Christ’s command to “[love] one another” (John 13:34–35) and to extend grace, forgiveness, and compassion. The Holy Spirit empowers growth in virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

Worship and prayer are also central practices. Gathering for fellowship (Hebrews 10:24–25) and partaking of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26) establish the communal expression of faith. Evangelism flows naturally from Biblical Christianity, reflecting the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) by actively sharing the gospel message worldwide.

Conclusion

Biblical Christianity is defined by unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture, the centrality of Christ’s saving death and resurrection, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. It affirms the existence of an eternal God who created the universe and revealed Himself through the incarnation of Jesus. Its doctrines emphasize the trustworthiness of Scripture, the historical reliability of Christ’s life and resurrection, and the intellectual and evidential foundations for a designed creation.

This comprehensive belief system is meant to align hearts and minds toward glorifying God, living in harmony with His moral directives, and sharing His message of redemption. Through Scripture’s witness and abundant historical, archaeological, and experiential evidence, Biblical Christianity continues to stand as a faith rooted in both divine revelation and tangible reality, offering salvation and an eternal relationship with the Creator to all who believe.