GREYES

In this post, we’ll explore the basics of Christianity, answer key questions, and offer biblical insight to guide you in seeking truth and considering what it means to follow Christ.

For many, the journey to Christianity begins with deep questions: Who is God? Which God is the true One? What is salvation and how to be saved?, and a long etcetera. As you explore these questions and consider Christianity, know that you are stepping onto a transformative path that has profoundly impacted millions throughout history. Christianity is more than a belief system—it is a personal relationship with God, providing hope, purpose, absolute truth, and eternal life.

WHO IS GOD?

God is the Creator of all things. He made the universe, the earth, and every living being. Everything that exists has a cause, something that brought it into existence. God, however, is the source of all creation—the ultimate cause that set everything in motion.  

At this point, you might wonder, “Who created God?”, particularly if you’re from an atheist background. This is a fair question, but it’s important to clarify what we mean when we say that all things must have a cause. This principle applies to things that began to exist, things that had a starting point, like our universe. For a long time, some believed the universe existed eternally, without any cause. However, scientific discoveries in Cosmology have shown that our universe indeed had a beginning, which marked the starting point of time and space, suggesting that everything within our universe has a cause or reason for its existence.

However, God is different. He is eternal, without beginning or end. God is what we theologians call the Uncaused Cause, the One who exists outside of time, space and matter. Since He never began to exist, He does not require a cause. He is not bound by the principles of cause and effect that apply to creation. God is the Eternal, Self-existent Being who has always been, is and will always be, making Him fundamentally different from everything else in existence.

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” ~Psalm 90:2 (NKJV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” ~Revelation 1:8 (NKJV)

This means that God is the only Uncreated Being. He has always existed.

WHICH GOD IS THE TRUE ONE GOD?

Considering the staggering number of approximately 4,200 religions and some estimates even suggest that there could be 10,000 sects worldwide, it’s reasonable to question which God is the true God.

Christians, like the Jews, worship the God of the Bible. His name, revealed in Scripture, is YHVH or יהוה, often referred to as the Tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters” in Greek). These four Hebrew letters represent the name of God as He revealed it to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when He said, “I AM WHO I AM.” This name speaks of God’s eternal, self-existent nature, unlike anything else in creation.

When we refer to the “God of the Bible” or the “God of Israel,” we aren’t saying that He is exclusively the God of Jews and Christians. Rather, He is the One True God who revealed Himself through the Bible. He is the God of all people, nations, and creation. The Bible teaches that God desires to be known by everyone, and through His revelation in the Scriptures, He invites all to come to know Him. God says:

“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
~Isaiah 45:22 (NKJV)

This shows that God’s invitation extends to all people, regardless of background or nationality, to come to Him and find salvation. He is not just the God of a particular group but the Creator and Sustainer of everything, who desires to be known and worshipped by all.

God cannot be owned by any single group, culture, or nation. He is not just the God of the Jews or Christians or the God of the Western civilisation, but the God of all creation. However, He chose to reveal Himself first through the ancient Israelites, and this revelation is recorded in the Tanakh (or Old Testament). This wasn’t because He belonged to Israel exclusively, but because He used Israel as a vessel to make Himself known to the world. The Bible describes how God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, NKJV). This shows that even from the beginning, God’s plan extended beyond Israel to include all people. The Old Testament is the record of God’s interaction with humanity, showing His faithfulness, justice, and grace.

The New Testament is the continuation and fulfilment of that plan through Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, not just for Israel, but for all nations. As Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Jesus came to reconcile all people to God, fulfilling the promises made in the Old Testament and extending God’s grace to everyone, not just to one group.

God’s revelation in both the Old and New Testaments points to His universal Sovereignty. While He worked through the Israelites first, His ultimate purpose has always been to draw all of humanity into a relationship with Him. In this way, the God of the Bible is not merely a cultural or regional deity. He is the True God, who reveals Himself for the benefit of the entire world.

WHAT IS SALVATION? AND WHAT WILL I BE SAVED FROM?

Salvation is the deliverance from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the process by which we are reconciled to God and granted eternal life through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection.

1. Salvation is a gift from God – It’s not something we can earn by good works, but a free gift of grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV)
2. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ – Believing in Jesus as the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again is the way to be saved. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NKJV)
3. It involves repentance – True salvation comes when we turn away from sin and turn toward God. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19, NKJV)
4. Jesus is the only way to salvation – There is no other path to eternal life except through Jesus. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NKJV)

In short, salvation is being saved from the power and penalty of sin, which leads to eternal destruction in hell. However, salvation isn’t just about avoiding hell; it’s about being freed from the bondage of sin in this life and being restored to a right relationship with God. Through salvation, we are given new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in righteousness, and granted the hope of eternal life. This transformation begins the moment we believe in Jesus and continues throughout our lives as we grow in faith and obedience.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BE SAVED?

You don’t need to understand everything at this moment. When the Holy Spirit comes to you, He will guide in to all truth, wisdom and the things of God. All you need to do is to repent of your sins and believe.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ~Acts 16:31 (NKJV)

“If you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” ~Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

Some might argue, particularly Muslims, that when Jesus told the rich young ruler to keep the commandments to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16-17), He was suggesting that following the law is the path to salvation. But Jesus, in the Scripture, claimed to be ‘The Way, The Truth and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him’ (John 14:6, NKJV).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” ~John 3:16 (NKJV)

These verses highlight the central message of salvation through belief in Christ. Additionally, some interpret Jesus’ words, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God,” (Matthew 19:16-17) as an indication that Jesus was denying His divinity. However, Jesus was not saying He isn’t God. Instead, He was inviting the man to reflect on the true meaning of goodness, implicitly affirming that if He is good, He is indeed God!

In this conversation, Jesus emphasises the importance of obeying God’s commandments. However, as the conversation continues, Jesus later points to a deeper relationship with God that goes beyond mere rule-keeping.

Christianity is fundamentally about having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not about earning favour or salvation through performance or good deeds. Salvation is earned through believing in Jesus; good works are the result of our salvation, not the means for earning it. Salvation is a gift of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

However, this grace does not give Christians a license to keep sinning, for deliberately continuing in sin would be to profane Christ’s sacrifice. Hebrews 10:26-29 (NKJV) speaks strongly about this: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins… Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Christians are saved by grace, they are called to live transformed lives in obedience to God, motivated not by fear or obligation, but by love and gratitude for His grace.

In summary, Christianity isn’t about earning salvation through performance, but it also isn’t about taking grace for granted. It’s about living in a relationship with God that naturally leads to a desire to follow His ways, out of love and reverence for Him.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

If you’ve never prayed in your life or prayed a long time ago, I recommend that you try asking God for guidance now. Many people may quickly advise you to attend a local church, but finding the right one is often more challenging than it seems. Remember that not all churches are the same, and their teachings can vary significantly. I highly encourage you to seek God’s guidance in your search for a church that aligns with sound biblical doctrine.

Unfortunately, many new Christians can be led astray when they simply attend the first church they come across without evaluating its teachings. To avoid this pitfall, it’s wise to explore various congregations. Take the time to visit different churches and pay attention to the messages being preached and the overall atmosphere. Remember that the Church is the community of all believers, theAsk God to direct your path and help you discern where you feel most at home in your faith journey.

Christianity, as many major world religions, encompasses a wide range of denominations and sects, and not all adhere to sound Christian doctrine. Therefore, equipping yourself with biblical knowledge is crucial. Start reading the Bible as soon as possible; it’s a foundational resource for understanding your newfound or rediscovered faith. If you prefer a digital format, you can easily download a Bible app on your phone to make reading more convenient. Many churches are welcoming and may even provide you with a Bible or other resources when you visit. On the day of your Baptism, it’s common for congregations to gift you a Bible as part of your journey into the faith.

I truly hope that as you seek, God will graciously guide you to His truth. Making sense of things that they may tell you at church can take time, but have faith that God will make Himself known to you as you navigate this path with an open heart. Remember, you are not alone in this search. May He illuminate for you a deeper comprehension of His love, grace, and truth.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to help as you continue on your journey to finding truth and exploring Christianity.

JGR is a follower of Jesus, and she delights in studying God’s Word, as well as encouraging others to deepen their relationship with Christ. She has attained a Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry, and Mission from Durham University and holds a Bachelor of Theology from the University of Oxford. Her theological education is distinguished by a robust academic emphasis on ancient Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) and Apologetics. Additionally, with her academic background in Art & Design and a Master of Science in Podiatry, she is dedicated to pursuing both fields when not composing works on Theology. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking.