Essential Beliefs – Biblical Christian Worldview
Below are the core beliefs all contributors to the “Biblical Christian Worldview” adhere to.
They form the foundational beliefs of theologians/ministries such as – Billy/Franklin Graham, Tony Evans, Charles Swindoll, Albert Mohler, Charles Stanley, John MacArthur, J.D. Grear.
To be clear, there are many non-essential beliefs in which we all have freedom and liberty. We rely on Romans 14:1,4,12,22 in this regard.
The Bible, as originally written, is the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- Statement of Beliefs for the Biblical Christian can be found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Originally Written – Scripture is 99% complete and accurate as presently written. However, any scribal changes in evidence today have no impact on the Bible’s consistent and supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct.
- Inspired –supernatural or divinely written
- Infallible / Inerrant – unfailing and without error in its original writing
- Word of God – penned by man under God’s direction and control
- Supreme authority – highest authority in the topics it addresses
- Faith and conduct – these are the primary areas the Bible speaks about
The Trinity – There is one living and true God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- One Living God
- Monotheistic – believe in one God, and only one God
- God is alive and active in this world
- Three Persons
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Trinitarian – God exists in three states simultaneously – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by a direct and immediate act and not by the process of evolution. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
- God created everything from scratch – Creation not Evolution
- Hebrews 11:3
- All life – not just a single cell in the primordial soup that evolved into man
Jesus Christ, the eternally preexistent Son, is fully God and was fully man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. He now sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us.
- John 1:1, John 1:14
- Eternally preexistent – God did not create Jesus.
- Fully God / Fully Man – at the same time
- Miracles – virgin-born, sinless life
- Sits at the right hand of the Father – currently resides in Heaven
- Intercedes for us – as Satan tries to convict us of our sins.
Salvation – Everyone sins and as such, no one has the ability to save themselves by doing good deeds or by being a ‘good person’. It is only through accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Savior that one can receive eternal life in Heaven. Salvation and eternal life in Heaven is available to anyone who acknowledges in their heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, rose bodily from the grave, and then asks Him to forgive them of their sins and save their soul. Approach God with faith that He will give you the strength to repent or turn from your sins and receive eternal forgiveness (Acts 3:19).
- Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9
Resurrection – Everyone will be resurrected from the grave: the saved resurrected to eternal life in Heaven, and the lost to eternal damnation in a real and literal Hell.
- Matthew 25:46
- As Christ was resurrected from the grave, so we will all be resurrected when He returns.
- God is eternal – no beginning or end.
- Man is immortal – born, but will never die
Holy Spirit lives in every Christian and His ministry is to guide, instruct (conviction of sins) and empower the believer for godly living, growth, and ministry. The difference between a saved and unsaved person is a God-produced difference through the work of the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian – leads, guides, convicts
- John 14:26
- The difference between a saved and unsaved person is God-produced
- This is a watershed concept that separates Biblical Christianity from all other religions.
- Difference between Faith-based vs. Works-based theology.
- Biblical Christians try to be good moral people because God asks us to and we love Him and desire to do His will.
- All other religions demand adherents to do good deeds in order to earn their salvation.
- Being a good Mormon, Muslim, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc. will not get you into heaven.
- Believing that Jesus is both your personal Savior and Lord of your life will provide eternity in Heaven.
- Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone – gives us….
- A personal relationship with Christ.
- The Holy Spirit living within us.
- Difference between Faith-based vs. Works-based theology.
- This is a watershed concept that separates Biblical Christianity from all other religions.
Church – As Christians, we are commanded to use our God-ordained gifts to love one another and to support and build up the body of Christ, the local Church.
- Acts 20:28
Evangelism – As Christians, it is a responsibility, a duty, and a joy to spread the Word of God to all who will listen.
- The Great Commission
- Mark 16:15
- The Greatest Commandment God has given us…
- Matthew 22:36-40
- For Biblical Christians, the greatest expression of love for our neighbors is to tell them about Jesus because eternity is a very long time.
- In a sweet-spirited way (evangelism) not forcefully (proselytizing).
- For Biblical Christians, the greatest expression of love for our neighbors is to tell them about Jesus because eternity is a very long time.
- Matthew 22:36-40