Basic Christianity by Charles F. Stanley

A.  Introduction:  For Christians, it is absolutely essential to know what we believe and why.  To be sure our system of thinking is accurate, we must base it on the Word of God rather than on habit, culture, or family heritage.

  • Why is it important to understand scriptural truth (1 Peter 3:15)?
  • (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
    15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect,
  • What are some other reasons Christians should know how to explain their beliefs?

    (A question from the Webmaster:  What are some Christian, Godly, Scriptural beliefs that you know contrary to UnChriatian, Ungodly, Earthly beliefs?)


B.  Let’s consider a list of absolute truths that should be a foundational part of your belief system.

1.  The Bible

The Bible is a record of God revealing Himself.  It explains His intervention in history and nature, and His arrival in this world as the God-man, Jesus Christ.

  • What is the inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)?

    (2 Tim. 3:16 NIV)
    16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

  • Do you believe the Bible is reliable?  Why or why not?

The Word of the living God is our instruction book for life and the final authority for what we believe.


2.  The Godhead

God consists of three distinct persons–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit-but is one in essence.  All three members of this Godhead (which is known as the “Trinity”) have the same character traits but different functions.

  • Describe how you see all three members of the Trinity in each passage below.
    (Refer to the surrounding text if necessary.)

    (John 14:16-17)

    (John 14:16-17 NIV)
    16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–

    17 The Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.


    (Matthew 3:16-17)

    (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV)
    16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

    17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”


    The following is a brief overview of the Godhead’s different roles:  Our heavenly Father is the Creator and is sovereign over everything. (Rom. 8:28).  God the Son is Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh and came to earth to die for the sins of mankind (John 14:9).  Currently, these two members of the Trinity are in heaven (Eph. 1:20).

    (Rom. 8:28 NIV)

    28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


    God the Son is Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh and came to earth to die for the sins of mankind

    (John 14:9 NIV)
    9 Jesus answered:  “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
    Currently, these two members of the Trinity are in heaven (Eph. 1:20).

    (Eph. 1:20 NIV).
    20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

God the Holy Spirit dwells within each believer from the moment of salvation.  He enables us to fellowship with God, transforms the life of the believer, and produces good fruit through our lives (Gal. 5:22-23).

  • (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV)
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

    23 gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.


3.  Satan

The Bible teaches that Satan is real.  The Devil was once an angel who rebelled against the Creator.  Satan instigates pain, sorrow, and spiritual death.  He tries to lure people into his counterfeit kingdom by tempting them to do what feels good rather than what is right.

  • What are two reasons why believers don’t need to fear Satan?

1 John 4:4

(1 John 4:4 NIV)
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

  • Revelation 20:10

    (Revelation 20:10 NIV)
    10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.


4.  Man

God created man in His image in order to love and fellowship with us.  But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, our relationship with the Creator changed.

  • Is anyone not guilty of sin (Rom. 6:23)?

    (Rom. 6:23 NIV)
    23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Why can’t a person just be good enough to make up for his or her sin (Is. 64:6)?

    (Is. 54:6 NIV)
    6 The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit– a wife who married young,

    only to be rejected,”says your God.


5.  Salvation

The simplest definition of salvation is the gift of God’s grace, whereby He provides forgiveness for our sins.  Throughout the Old Testament, God-fearing people sacrificed animals to atone for their sins.  This practice foreshadowed Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24).

  • (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)
    24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
  • Why is it impossible for someone to reject Jesus and still go to heaven (1 John 2:23)?

    (1 John 2:23 NIV)
    23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

  • How is a person saved (Eph. 2:8-9)?

    (Eph. 2:8-9 NIV)
    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

    9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

    Why should believers do good works (Eph. 2:10)?

    (Eph. 2:10 NIV)
    10 For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


6.  The Church

The church is the whole body of Christ-believers from every part of the globe.  It has nothing to do with being part of a denomination.  If you have trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, you are in the body of Christ.

  • Read Romans 12:3-16.  Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal one or two things He would have you do.


    What are three things the church should be doing, according to Matthew 28:19-20?

    How do you help your church “make disciples of all the nations”?

In the church, we practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which is also known as Communion.

What does baptism represent (Rom. 6:4)?

  • (Rom. 6:4 NIV)
    4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Through Communion, we celebrate the forgiveness Christ gave us, His resurrection, and His future return.

What did Christ say is the purpose of Communion (Luke 22:19-20)?

  • (Luke 22:19-20 NIV)
    19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

    20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

C.  Closing: Every one of these issues is a vital part of the Christian’s belief system, and they are all found in one place-the Word of God.  If we know what this precious book says, we will know how to live for His glory.

Prayer:  Father, thank You for giving us the marvelous library we call the Bible.  We can have clear answers about why we are on earth and what the future holds for Your children.  Please help us to diligently study and obey Your Word, that we may live in a way that glorifies You.  I pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.