Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He was born to the Virgin Mary through the power of God (Matthew 1:18, 20). His life was exemplary with devotion to God the Father and righteousness among men. He taught His followers the way of God and miraculously ministered to multitudes showing the mercy and compassion of God. He was crucified and died on the cross, giving His life as a ransom for many (Hosea 13:14; Matthew 20:28). He bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24).

The simple gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Jesus did not stay in the grave! Also, we know that Jesus will receive any who believe in Him; they will not perish (John 3:16). There is salvation in no other name under heaven (Acts 4:10, 12). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Many have proclaimed to be the way, but Jesus alone rose from the dead to prove His proclamation.

Jesus calls men to repent and follow him.

He calls all men to change and believe in the gospel (Mk. 1:14), but then He extends forgiveness and salvation to any who believe in Him. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) and in Him the fullness of God dwells (Col. 2:9). He is a part of the blessed Trinity (Mt. 28:19) and will one day return for His followers (1 Thess. 4:16-17). When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Father sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6) into the hearts of Christ’s followers to become adopted children of God. These have the Spirit of truth to lead them in the decisions of life.

Jesus overcame the devil and will ultimately destroy his works.

Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us that Jesus — the glorious Son from heaven — put on flesh and blood and suffered death as a man “that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” The devil will ultimately be destroyed in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10) as will death and Hades (Rev. 20:14). God gives His people the power of His might to wrestle against those powers that are in opposition to His kingdom (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Jesus Christ is God’s Son, sent from heaven. The Bible says that Jesus was sent to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In fact, God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1st Timothy 2:4). He will force no one, but He offers the gift of eternal life to anyone who turns to Him. No one can earn this gift by their good works because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The consequence of sin is death and separation from God, but God offers us mercy if we will turn to Him for salvation. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Once again, it is a gift; we cannot earn it. It comes to us through grace (unmerited favor) and faith in God. Faith means belief plus trust. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not through works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God’s Love

Though many people misunderstand God, one of the main things we are to know is that God loves us. That means that God loves you, no matter whom you are or what you have done! Yet, there is a requirement given to us. We are to believe in God’s Son and what He did for us.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ!