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Did you know that you can be forgiven for everything you’ve ever done wrong in your life? Someone already paid the penalty you owe to God and he did it because he loves you - that person is Jesus.
To accept what he did for you, all you need to do is receive his free gift. You don’t have to earn it. It’s given by love. You can receive his gift by saying something like this to him:
Jesus, you paid the penalty for everything I’ve ever done wrong. That is incredible news! I gladly accept what you did for me. Please come into my life and help me get to know you and show me the abundant life you have for me. I want to know you and follow you. Amen
What does a Christian believe and how is a Christian to live? I’m going to offer on this page below some verses I’ve found helpful from the Bible that gives kind of an A to Z overview of what being a Christian is like. I hope you find them helpful too. I originally put the list together primarily for my own benefit.
A Christian learns about Jesus primarily through reading the Bible, and by listening to preaching and teaching by those who have studied the Bible and have an insight to share about what is written.
I like to make four recommendations when you get curious about Jesus. (1) Read the Bible for yourself beginning with the book of Luke as it is about 40 pages long and is a biography of Jesus’ life, what He taught and what He did; (2) seek out books and messages by Bill Hybels; (3) watch Andy Stanley or Robert Morris (The Blessed Life) preach on television on Sunday mornings; and (4) listening to sermons by Eddie Lowen. Those four things can answer a lot of your questions. I mention these particular men as they are gifted communicators who have a wealth of preaching and teaching available in book, audio and video format available today to help you explore and answer your questions about Jesus. You no longer have to hope you choose the right church in your town on Sunday morning to get your questions answers when you first get curious about Jesus. You can start here on this page, and with the help of resources online, get the answers you seek.
The Christian Bible has two sections, an old testament that covers history up until Jesus was born, and the new testament that covers history from Jesus birth until the present. The Bible begins with the book of Genesis and the story of creation and ends with the book of Revelation and the story of what eternity will be like. The Bible in total is made up of 66 books, written by a variety of writers over a thousand year, each writer inspired and directed by God so that the 66 books form one story of God’s plan and purpose for mankind. These books prophesy Jesus’ coming, present Jesus’ life and what he did while he lived among us, describe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, Jesus’ accession back to heaven, and present the birth and purpose of the church. There are four biographies of Jesus in the bible (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), and several instructional letters written to various churches (Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, etc). These 66 books were brought together into the group known as the Christian Bible around the year 150 in our modern calendar.
There are many translations of the Bible from its original Greek and Hebrew languages into English, some attempting to translate each word literally, others trying to best capture the meaning in today’s English. In this presentation I am using the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the bible as it is one I’ve had on my desk since high school and find it readable in how it translates the Greek and Hebrew. Its copyright information is below if you wish to read the same edition I’m using. Other popular editions are the New Living Bible, the Amplified Bible, the Message Bible, the New Kings James Bible. For bibles, and other Christian resources, I like to shop at www.christianbook.com to see what is available at low prices.
Each book in the Bible has been numbered with chapters and verses so its possible to go to a specific sentence in the bible without much effort.
Items below in ( ) are the reference details so you could look up the page in the bible I am quoting. For example (Romans 14:12) would be the book of Romans chapter 14 verse 12.
Items in [] are where I added a word to the bible text to provide clarity when I am providing only one verse or phrase from a larger passage.
I invite you to invest half an hour and see what you think about Christianity.
The verses quotes below come from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. "Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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What does a Christian believe and how is a Christian suppose to live?
Below are some verses from the Bible, most taken from letters written by Paul to various churches, which help answer those two questions.
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we believe that Jesus died and rose again (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
[God] the Father has sent his Son [Jesus] as the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14)
the whole world is in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)
the devil has sinned from the beginning. (1 John 3:8)
The reason the Son of God [Jesus] appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
in him [Jesus] there is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8)
God … loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation [to pay the penalty] for our sins. (1 John 4:9)
He himself [Jesus] bore our sins in his body on the tree [the cross], that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24)
he [Jesus] appeared to take away sins (1 John 3:5)
he [Jesus] is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
you were ransomed … with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18)
the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8)
[Jesus] Christ has been raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20)
If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, (1 Peter 3:18)
Jesus Christ … gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:13-14)
Baptism … now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:21)
in hope of eternal life which God, who never lies, promised ages ago (Titus 1:2)
the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Beloved, we are God's children now (1 John 3:2)
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (1 John 3:1)
He [God the Father] destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5)
God our Savior … desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
those who are to perish … refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Christ Jesus … is to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1)
we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God (Romans 14:10)
each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)
Jesus … delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
[Jesus Christ] has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. (1 Peter 3:22)
he [God] raised him [Jesus] from the dead and made him [Jesus] sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and he [God] has put all things under his [Jesus] feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)
Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (Ephesians 5:23)
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ (Romans 12:4-5)
For [Jesus] Christ has entered … into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Hebrews 9:24)
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; (1 John 2:1)
he [Jesus] is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
God is love. (1 John 4:8)
God … never lies (Titus 1:2)
he [God] knows everything. (1 John 3:20)
our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
it is the last hour (1 John 2:18)
Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son (Romans 5:10)
you … who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him [Jesus], were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
the promised Holy Spirit … is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Ephesians 1:13-14)
God … gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
[Jesus] Christ redeemed us … that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)
God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
we have received … the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death (Romans 6:3)
our old self was crucified with him [Jesus] so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. (Romans 6:6)
those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. (1 John 2:15)
the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other (Galatians 5:17)
Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21)
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2)
All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
this commandment we have from him [Jesus], that he who loves God should love his brother also. (1 John 4:21)
if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16)
love one another earnestly from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19)
husbands, live considerately with your wives … in order that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)
speak evil of no one … avoid quarreling (Titus 3:2)
be gentle (Titus 3:2)
be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19)
let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
show perfect courtesy toward all men. (Titus 3:2)
hate what is evil (Romans 12:9)
be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)
do not be haughty (Romans 12:16)
associate with the lowly (Romans 12:16)
never be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. (Romans 12:17)
If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
if he [your enemy] is thirsty, give him drink (Romans 12:20)
think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. (Romans 12:3)
Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. (James 5:13)
And without faith it is impossible to please him [God]. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of [Jesus] Christ. (Romans 10:17)
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11)
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; by this he … became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. (1 Peter 3:12)
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him [God] who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. (Hebrews 5:7)
we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself [the Spirit of God] intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
You do not have, because you do not ask. (James 4:2)
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." (Matthew 21:20-22)
And this is the confidence which we have in him [God], that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
the prayer of faith will save the sick man (James 5:15)
The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. (James 5:16)
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Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:3-9)
"But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" …. And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he had been thrown down to the earth … the dragon was angry … and went off to make war … on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. (Revelation 12:12-17)
when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. (Hebrews 10:12-13)
Then comes the end, when he [Jesus] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he [Jesus] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)
the Lord Jesus Christ … will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
"Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth…" (Revelation 14:7)
the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne [God], and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus]; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?" (Revelation 6:15-17)
Then I [John] saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and if any one's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
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