Can I get some help with Christian beliefs?

[NavyWife40]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:

The Bible
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!

[MrSnow]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:

The Bible
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!

The Bible is the record of God's covenant dealings with mankind. One might also call it the history of salvation. Paul tells Timothy that "...all Scripture is given by inspiration of God...". The verse right before that says "from a child you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation which through faith which is in Jesus Christ."

God the Father is the eternal Source of Divinity and Life. He is uncreated and unbegotten. He is eternal. He is holy, just, merciful, all-knowing, ever-present. He is Love. (all the "character" attributes that are true of the Father are also true of the Son and Spirit)

Jesus Christ is also God. The Person of the Son, who is of the same substance/essence/divinity as the Father, is eternally begotten of the Father. He is uncreated, and shares all other attributes with the Father. The eternal Son of the Father united Himself to human flesh and became man. He did not cease to be God. His humanity was not altered by His divinity, and His divinity was not altered by His humanity. He is fully God and fully man. One person in two natures. He lived a perfect life, suffered, died on a cross, was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father (which is a symbol for majesty and honor). He shall return to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will be forever.

The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father (scripture plainly says that He proceeds from the Father, but never says He proceeds from the Son as well). He shares all the attributes that the Father and Son have. He is fully God. To make an analogy (and all analogies break down eventually), the Spirit is to the Son as a breath is to a spoken word. The breath is the power on which the word is spoken. And both of them find their source in a thought. The Spirit and Son both eternally come from the Father.

Becoming a Christian is all about repentance. Repentance means, basically, to turn around. When someone turns around to face the opposite direction, that person simultaneously faces away from one thing and faces towards something else. God asks us (actually, He commands us) to repent of our sin and to believe upon Jesus. It is by our faith that we are saved, and the KIND of faith that saves us is the kind of faith that will produce fruit. God does not require fruit to justify us, but He requires the kind of faith which produces fruit. We are to trust that Christ's incarnation, perfect life, death, and resurrection is sufficient to take away our sins, and that there is nothing we can do to earns God's favor, for we have all sinned. Ask Christ to take your sins upon Him, to nail them to the cross. Confess your sins to Him and believe upon the power of the cross to deliver us from our sins.

Prayer can mean many things. Prayer can be a petition. Prayer can be supplication. Prayer can be thanksgiving. Prayer can be confession of sins. Prayer can be worship. Prayer can be communion with God. Prayer is any and all of those things. But mostly, prayer is spending time with God. Talk to Him. Be still and listen to Him. Make Scripture reading an act of prayer. Seek to make all things you do an act of prayer. A man once told me, and I agree with him, "Prayer is the thought that comes before the word".

I hope that my limited answers can be of some help to you.

[DeanM]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:

The Bible
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!
The Bible: The book that contains God's word. It has wisdom to share and insights for anyone who reads or hears it.

God the Father, Jesus, The Holy Spirit: The three manifestations of the Lord (Trinity), God the Father is all around us. Jesus was God in human form. The Holy Spirit is the energy that we feel from God.

Like Steam, Liquid water, and Ice, all three are the same (water) but may have different forms.

Becoming a Christian starts when you accept Jesus into your life as your Saviour. He died so that we may be free from our sins.

Prayer is the words and feelings that you share with God, in though or out loud.

These are the simple meanings (to me), but it is normal to ask questions if you are unsure. Thank you for asking, and please let me know if there is anything else that you would like to know.

[NavyWife40]

Thank you! All of this has been very helpful...

[Solidlyhere]

"Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about ..."

Why don't you just ask your Pastor?

...Staff Edit...

[tapero]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:

The Bible
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!

Hi, great questions. the bible contains the truth about God and many other things as well. It's amazing revealing God as He reveals Himself to us through His word. I couldn't make it through a day without having some of the word of God in me; it's critical to help us through.

God the Father Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit are one God. There is only one God, in 3 separate persons as listed above.

very good question and not one i can readily answer. It seems the Father spoke much and did much works (miracles, healings, much much more) in the OT and revealed himself to men. (tho Jesus was also manifested in the OT before he was incarnated (intheflesh)

Once we believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit, called the Comforter indwells us and we can never lose our salvation. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

Jesus of course died for our sins and was resurrected.

He taught much when He was here and healed, forgave sin, and much more.

To become a Christian, talk to God and tell Him whatever is on your heart and place your faith and trust in Christ.

here's the url from this site, how to become a Christian, tho many come many different ways:

http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel

praying is talking to God. You can tell him anything and ask Him anything. He loves you very much, you are precious in His site.

God bless,
tapero

[OldChurchGuy]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:

The Bible
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!

I pretty much agree with the others, especially MrSnow's description of the trinity. There is one item though....

I see the Bible as a collection of writings written by many people over many centuries (very few who are known outside of the Bible) all trying to explain what it is like to know or experience God.

OldChurchGuy

[New_Wineskin]

Would you guys mind helping me briefly describe what Christians believe about:


Those in these forums agree with the Nicene Creed .



The Bible


Barely mentioned in passing in the Creed - not important .



God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit


Primarily the main reason for the Creed .



Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
Prayer (What is it?)

Thanks!

Believing the Creed .

[sebastian]

The Bible - a book recording the History of God's relationship with mankind, inspired by the holy spirit and written by men. it is truth and wisdom to be followed.

God the Father - the creator/designer person of the trinity.

Jesus Christ - the incarnation (i think is the right word) of God, the son/man person of the trinity, yet fully God.

The Holy Spirit - the spirit of God, that now dwells in us person of the trinity.

(to be honest summerising the trinity/God is impossible)

Becoming a Christian (How can you?) put your faith (putting all your trust in) Jesus' sacrifice and resuresction for the forgiveness of sins and salvation through His blood by giving up your life to Him. you would also need to know who Jesus/God is and also why you need to be forgiven i guess.

Prayer (What is it?) - talking to God.

[garfieldthecatman]

The Bible- The Bible is God's word and instructions that lead to salvation.

God the Father- The Creator.

Jesus Christ- The Son.

The Holy Spirit- Sent by Jesus Christ to live in us after accepting that Christ is our savior and died for us.

Becoming a Christian (How can you?)- You have to believe that God sent his son, Jesus, and that he died for the sin of the world. You also have to believe that Jesus rose from the dead three days later.
Prayer (What is it?)- Prayer is how people communicate with his creation.

[Peregrino]

The Bible- The Bible is God's word and instructions that lead to salvation.

God the Father- The Creator.

Jesus Christ- The Son.

The Holy Spirit- Sent by Jesus Christ to live in us after accepting that Christ is our savior and died for us.

Becoming a Christian (How can you?)- You have to believe that God sent his son, Jesus, and that he died for the sin of the world. You also have to believe that Jesus rose from the dead three days later.
Prayer (What is it?)- Prayer is how people communicate with his creation.

It's actually "on the third day" (Luke 36-49 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2024;&version=31;)).

[garfieldthecatman]

It's actually "on the third day" (Luke 36-49).

Thanks for the correction. :D

[salida]

The Bible - Gods Word
God the Father - the first person in the trinity-God
Jesus Christ - Son of God second person-- God
Holy Spirit - third person -God
Prayer - talking to God like you would a person but it should be in Gods will. Don't ask God for a corvette for your purposes only - how would it be Gods eternal purpose?

Becoming a christian - Repent and Christ to forgive you of your sins, then ask for the Holy Spirit - it gives one the power to live a christian life. Prayer and read the Bible daily - its spiritual food. Surround yourselfs with other christians that are uplifting and inspirational. Find a church (assembling of yourselfs together) - Hebrews 10:25. Its a lifelong lifestyle and committment.

[Peregrino]

My take on this subject? Well, IMHO, CF Forum Rules couldn't have put it in better terms:



ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6: 4, Ephesians 4: 6)

Father (Matthew 6: 9)

Almighty, (Exodus 6: 3)

Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1: 1)

and of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1: 15-16)


And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11: 17)
Son of God, (Mathew 14: 33; 16: 16)
Only-Begotten, (John 1: 18; 3: 16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1: 2)
Light from Light; (Psalm 27: 1; John 8: 12; Matthew 17: 2,5)
True God from True God; (John 17: 1-5)
Begotten, not made; (John 1: 18)
of one essence with the Father (John 10: 30)
through whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4-5)
came down from heaven, (John 6: 33,35)
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1: 35)
and became man. (John 1: 14)
And He was crucified for us (Mark 15: 25; 1 Corinthians 15: 3)
under Pontius Pilate, (John 19: 6)
suffered, (Mark 8: 31)
and was buried. (Luke 23: 53; 1 Corinthians 15: 4)
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, (Luke 24: 1 1 Corinthians 15: 4)
and ascended into heaven, (Luke 24: 51; Acts 1: 10)
and sits at the right hand of the Father; (Mark 16: 19; Acts 7: 55)
and He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24: 27)
to judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10: 42; 2 Timothy 4: 1)
Whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1: 11)

And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14: 26)
Lord, (Acts 5: 3-4)
Giver of Life, (Genesis 1: 2)
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]*; (John 15: 26)
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; (Matthew 3: 16-17)
Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19: 20; Ezekiel 11: 5,13)

In one, (Matthew 16: 18)
holy, (1 Peter 2: 5,9)
catholic**, (Mark 16: 15)
and apostolic Church. (Acts 2: 42; Ephesians 2: 19-22)

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins***. (Ephesians 4: 5; Acts 2: 38)
I look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11: 24; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-49; Hebrews 6: 2; Revelation 20: 5)
and the life in the age to come. (Mark 10: 29-30)

AMEN. (Psalm 106: 48)















And of course, the core of all Christianity which comes before all creed definitions and theological constructions: LOVE. "Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love", said Paul.


Faith: The English word "faith" comes from the Latin "fides" which means TRUST. You have faith, not when you are free from weakness or mental/emotional doubt, it's when you put all your trust in HIM, no matter what, no matter what order or amount of temptation, tribulation, how big or bad you fall, you stretch out your hand and just plain trust in HIM.


Hope: The only hope for humanity, in this or any other word, is Jesus. Just think about it.


That's just the beginning. Know that's it's all NOT about "YOU" ("Forgive me, protect me, help me, me me me..."). That's egotism. Christianity is all about building the "Kingdom of Heaven". Whaaat 'n the world is that??
LOVE.

[garfieldthecatman]

:amen:

[AllTalkNoAction]

The BibleLiterally "The Book".
God's book to his people. It just keeps being shown to be true !

God the Father
Yup, not just a force, "God is love".

Jesus ChristBy whom, for whom and through whom all was created and reconciled. Jesus means Jah-sus - Yahweh's salvation
Christ/Messiah means the anointed

Jesus saves us by the anointing:-
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5-6)


The Holy Spirit
God is a Spirit, there is one Spirit also referred to as "the Spirit of Christ" and other things.
I know this seems hard for our minds to understand, in fact it's impossible unless you come as a child to be taught of God.

"as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." (1 Cor.2:9-11)

Becoming a Christian (How can you?)
A christian is someone who has received the Holy Spirit because “christ” or “messiah” means “anointed one” and the anointing is the Holy Spirit (Acts 10v38). Romans 8v9 states:-
“ . . . you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”So, it's vital to receive the Holy Spirit, but he is invisible and we cannot trust our own hearts that we are right with God . . . "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. 17v9)(Jesus warns that many who call Him "Lord" will be told "I never knew you", he's talking about church-goers, not agnostics !). So, God must bare independant witness, the apsotles waited for this, so do I . . .In the new testament it is known precisely when people receive the Holy Spirit, and when they hadn't. The way of salvation hasn't changed.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit began to be given as never before, making people sons of God.
The apostles reported:-
“ . . . they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. . . having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this, which you now SEE and HEAR. . . For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even AS MANY AS the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2v4, 33, 39)

You receive the Spirit through repenting, turning fully to God expecting Him to do what you have just read about - that's faith toward God.
True faith in a living God, not intellectual faith in "christian" teaching.


Prayer (What is it?)
Talking to God - you can tell him what you think and you can let his Spirit lead you according to his perfect will (praying in tongues / "prayer in the Spirit" - 1 Cor. 14:2, 4, 14-19, Romans 8:26, Jude 20)