Introduction To The Basics of Christianity

Christianity: is not based upon the religion of Christ it is based upon the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

****A Christian is one who has by faith trusted in Christ alone for his salvation base upon His finished work for salvation (His death, burial and resurrection).

 Eph 2:8-9, 10; 2Cor 5:17 – A Christian is a new creature created in Christ by God. ONLY GOG CAN DO THIS! 

·       Acts 11:26 .  .  .  And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

·       Today a Christian is a disciple of Christ; all disciples of Christ are Christians and only Christians.

·       Before Pentecost (Acts 2) the disciples of Christ were followers of Christ but they were not Christians.

Heb 1:1-2 (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

The “last days” in the New Testament began with God speaking by His son.

Acts 2:16-17 states that Joel spoke of the last days when God said He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.

·       Joel 2:28 it shall come to pass afterward: Joel did not use the phrase “last days” 

Ø    V27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel.

Ø    The phrased “Last days” for Israel will begin at the rapture of the church. The “last days” in the New Testament began with the the speaking of the Son of God, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

Christianity did not begin with the birth of Jesus. It actually began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

·       What did Agrippa almost believe?

·       Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles

·       The same message Peter spoke in Acts 2

·       The gospel: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures. 1Cor 15:3-4

1Peter 4:16-19 with 1Thes1:9 and Heb 10:29 There is a sorer punishment for those who are not saved during the church age than for those who died under the law without righteousness accounted unto them.