For all you Christians out there.?

Question

Why Christianity? I mean no where in the bible does it say to be Christian, Judaism and Islam were two of the earliest forms of "God" Worship so why did you choose Christianity, was it because your parents were Christian or what? And for that matter why stay in a religion that looks so bad to pagans and those not of the faith, i mean the bible says to worship the Lord right, well you don't have to do that by going to church, church is just a building, "God" is supposed to be everywhere, not just in a few thousand buildings.

Okey, but where does it say that the only way to get into heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ, i thought anyone could get into heaven if they just believed in God and i don't think Jesus was so egotistical to say that the only true path to heaven is threw Jesus. Don't Jews go to heaven, don't people who believe in God (regardless of whether they believe in Christ) go to heaven? And what about babies? One story i hear is that babies are born with the sins of the world, and yet everyone seems to think all babies (babtised or not) go to heaven, where does the confusion stop?

Answer 1

I am a pretty committed Christian, a Deacon in the United Church of Christ, however, personally I am a very progressive Christian. This is my take on it.

I believe in God, because of the evidence of my own life and of my heart and my mind. However, I am not at all convinced that we understand clearly what God does or wants. I believe, however, that a greater power undergirds our being, and is present among us and in us, and I choose to call that God. I don't tend to think of God so much as anthropomorphic, rather as the divine ground of being.

I believe that the historic human being Jesus Christ understood that God is part of all of us, and participated in that divinity more than normal people are ever able to. I am not convinced that Jesus is the only one to do this, however, and I respect and consider valid the beliefs of Jewish, Islamic, Bhuddist, Pagan, and any other believer. I think God is manifest in many ways.

For me, given where I was born and how I have progressed in life, generally Jesus Christ is the easiest and most fruitful way for me to approach the divine. Therefore I attend a Christian Church, and consider myself a Christian.

I will say that while I believe that the bible is a book inspired by God, I believe it was written by and contains the opinions of humans as well. In addition, through many years the bible has been copied and original copies lost, so that we don't know that the version we have is accurate - so I do not consider the Bible inerrent. It is, however, very important to my faith.

Answer 2

Very good question. The God of Christians is the God of Abraham, the same as Judiasm and Islam . Technically you are correct that Judaism is older, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and Jesus was a Jew, Islam is newer religion actually, but that isn't very important. The important thing is that you know God and His will for your life. People actually try to complicate worship, but the worship of God is quite simple, Listen, Obey, learn and observe the ways of God.

Why Christianity for non-Jews it was no possible to learn about the God of Abraham unless one lived or was a servant or steward of a Jewish person. There were few written documents as you can imagine the technology for mass produced writings was not possible and the actual documents were "Scrolls" written on parchment. When Jesus came to the Jews and explained the "good news", he had followers and disciples who in turn would teach others about Jesus and God. Remember Jesus came to do his Father's will, his Father was God. After Jesus left the scene his followers spread the word of God to non-Jews (Gentiles), the Gentiles who were in modern terms Europeans and Arabs heard the word and embraced it and believed in God and His grace.

Why stay in a religion that looks so bad to pagans and those not of the faith? This Earth is a spiritual desert, God is spirit, his words are spirit and truth, you and the rest of us are spiritual beings having a human experience. Do you know why? What concerns pagans? things, clothes and material things, what shall you eat, drink or wear? concern yourself about the things that matter, the spiritual things are the lasting things, consider the words of God, they are lasting, and God is everlasting, don't concern yourself about the things of pagans.

Why go to church? It's just a building? You go to church because God has things to teach your fellow man and woman and not just you. Life is too short and you can't possibly learn everything that you need to learn by trial and error, as your life if you are so blessed my consist of 80-100 years, maybe.

There are many things to learn, but only one teacher worth your time, God is your teacher, He is the One.

Just a building, my child, you are part of the church, a member of the spiritual body. God doesn't need a building created by the hands of man. A building could not be large enough to contain the glory of God. No God will create and prepare a place for you. You are to work with other believers and grow in faith and learn from God, you can't say that your little pinky isn't as valuable as your other fingers, the arm can't say I'm more important than the hand, the face can't say it's more important than the legs, all the parts are fasitioned together to make the body, just as members of the church are parts that together assembled form the church. The work is too heavy for you alone; you cannot handle it alone.

hope this helps. God see's everything, He isn't contained in a building or test tube. His ways are higher than any of our thoughts. Don't limit what God can do, you can't suppose what God is capable of.

Answer 3

Why Christianity?

Judaism is that starting place for Christianity. After reading the Old Testament and the New Testament I saw that Jesus Christ is the Messiah that was prophesied.


Where in the bible does it say to be Christian?

John 14:6, John8:12, Romans 10:10, John 3:16... I could go on, but those will answer your question.


Were my parents Christians?

My dad was raised Luthern, but he was non-practicing; my mom was raised going to church, any church, on Easter and Christmas. We were not raised in the church or with any particluar Christian beliefs.


Why do I stay in a religion that looks so bad to pagans and those not of faith?

I don't live my life for the approval of man, much less pagans. I live my life to please God.


Well, you don't have to do that by going to church?

No, you can and should worship the Lord everywhere. Your life should be worship for Him. But there are 30-something commandment in the bible we cannot obey if we are not attached to a body of believers (ie: church) The building is not the issue, there are many great, God-loving, bible-believing churches that have no building. They meet in homes, parks, schools or where ever.

I hope I explained my reasonings to you in the way you wanted. I know it's easy to assume things about groups of people and usually they are not true for most.

Take care


EDIT to address your edit

"Okey, but where does it say that the only way to get into heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ, i thought anyone could get into heaven if they just believed in God and i don't think Jesus was so egotistical to say that the only true path to heaven is threw Jesus"

John 14.6 I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Yeah, Jesus was egotistical-- He is God after all. It doesn't say that Jesus is A way, He is THE way. NO ONE comes to the Father (God) except through Jesus.


"Don't Jews go to heaven, don't people who believe in God (regardless of whether they believe in Christ) go to heaven? And what about babies? "

Jews are God choosen people and if they followed the Law, they will go to Heaven. Have you read this part of the bible? It's really, really hard to do. When Jesus comes back, His choosen people will receive a place of honor, and then "every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"
You must believe that Jesus is Lord. (see Romans 10:10). You don't get to heaven for being good or believeing in God. Romans 3:23 tell us that no one measure up in God's eyes. None are good enough. In John we learn the punishment for sin is death. Not that you'll drop dead if you sin, but eternal death: Hell.

Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 God sent His son to die for our sins so we can have eternal life.

Children are not judged until they come to "the age of reason". In Judaism, it's 13. The Bar or Bat Mitzah the kids at 13. No where in the bible does it say what the age of reason.

'where does the confusion stop?'

The confusion stops when you place your faith in Him.

Keep reaching for the answers you are seeking. It is the way to truth. If you want to understand more, try reading the book of John. It's the condensed version of the life of Christ. Find an easy to read version like New International Version or New Living Translation.

Answer 4

If it weren't for Jesus Christ dying on the Cross for our sins, then no one would be going to heaven. By him becomming the sacrifice, this giving man the key to victory over sin and death, gave believers a way to eternal life in Heaven. Him being the sacrifice for us, thus we must go thru him to get to God. We are to ask in Jesus name. Jesus intercedes for us. And yes if one does not believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross to atone for mans sins, and sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us so that we may have eternal life in Heaven, then they will not enter the Kingdom of God. And no you donot have to go to a building to have Church, you can have Church in your own home. It is to have fellowship with other Christians, to help each other grow in our walk with the Lord, give us a better understanding of the things that we don't understand. But I have personally found that their are very few Churches that are there for that reason any more. The Bible does teach that we are not to attend any Churches that are not preaching the gospels and we are not to support them.

Babies, are born into a world of sin, but are innocent and have not sinned, therefore they are Gods. A lot people tend to forget that babies are a gift from God, and are to be treated as such, but sadly alot of them are not. All babies will go to Heaven wheather they have been baptised or not. Baptism is not a requirement for Salvation. What Jesus Christ did at the Cross is our source for Salvation.

My personal belief in the Bible and my relationship with Jesus our Lord is what I base my (Christianity) on. Not on what others believe. Its my soul at stake, not anyone elses, and I alone will answer to our Lord God for any decisions I make, weather they are right or wrong. I pray for the knowledge to make the right ones and ask for forgiveness for the wrong ones.

Answer 5

WHAT? Jesus Christ - the following of Jesus Christ -
Christ man - Christianity. How can you possibly say that
the Bible does not say to be Christian? You obviously have used the Bible pages to roll a joint, but certainly not to read it

Look, the true Church of Christ is not a building; it is a many-membered body of Christ and THAT makes up the true Church of Christ. I am a devout Christian, but I do not go to any church - I am non-denominational. Why? Because even though it would be great to go to a Church of true believers, the Churches of today are full of people who just like to play church; if they teach Gods Word at all, what you get is the same thing over and over: salvation, forgiveness, baptism.
over and over again. They never seem to grow up and get into the meat of Gods messages in Scripture. They are like
a bunch of baby bottle-sucking Christians that never grow
up. A baby that sucks at the nip is beautiful, but not much use when it comes to doing the work that a soldier of Christ is expected to do. Often, God won't be found at all in a Church. Go to Revelation 2:8 and 3:9 to find the two churches out of seven that God approves of: these churches both teach the same exact thing. If your church does not teach what Smyrna and PHiladelphia taught, guess what:
you are in a Church that God has a problem with. A big problem with. I have found ONE CHURCH IN OVER 30 YEARS THAT TEACH WHAT THOSE TWO CHURCHES TEACH. Read it and tell me how many you know of......

Answer 6

"Why Christianity?"
Because I believe it to be true.

"I mean no where in the bible does it say to be Christian...."
Maybe not in so many words, but that does seem to be its intent.

"why did you choose Christianity, was it because your parents were Christian or what?"
In part, but I remained a Christian only after investigation.

"And for that matter why stay in a religion that looks so bad to pagans and those not of the faith...."
Because I think they do not have good reasons for rejecting Christianity. Why do pagans and others stay in a religion (or worldview) that looks so bad to Christians?

"well you don't have to do that by going to church"
It does, however, require fellowship with other believers.

"church is just a building...."
A common misconception, one that unfortunately is helped spread by other Christians. The word translated "church" in the NT is never used for a building, but rather for a group of believers.

"'God' is supposed to be everywhere, not just in a few thousand buildings."
I agree with the sentiment, but if God is everywhere, isn't He also in those buildings? And if some people find it convenient to worship Him there, then why shouldn't they?

Answer 7

You are right about God not being in a building, however a church is not a building it's a community of believers who gather together to worship God which is encouraged in the Bible

edit.
Jesus own words:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Answer 8

Honestly, my mom was Christian, and well so am I, other people might not like it or accept it but still, I believe what I want to believe whether it be true or not, as well as you.You can trust and have faith in whatever, anything. I chose Christianity.

As far as Church goes I thought the same exact thing... What's the point, right? But then people were telling me about it and I think it's so great how people with common beliefs join together and aren't being judged by one another. It's God's job to do that.

Answer 9

Hello, I go to church to receive understanding about the Holy Sprit within me, to fellowship, worship and gain wisdom and knowledge. I believe that we all believe in something or somewhat, due to lack of knowledge or whatever our hearts leads us. Being a Christian means being (Christlike). The Bible says " men are destroyed because lack of knowledge", "because we will be lovers of ourselves in the end times, as I see the behavior of nature it speaks for itself, Also the anti-christ is a government official and it has been approved that chips are to be part of our identiy as stated in the Detroit Freedom Press as spoken in the book of Revelation.
Even in the bible the Jews sall miracles and still were disobedient and some were unbelievers. Who is the arthor and creater, how did you come, on your own? who is Jehova, God, Father , Jesus, Shalom? I know where I want to go when I leave this earth, so I will continue to receive discernment and knowledge and wisdom and speak about the good news, Jesus, my rock, my fortress, my savior, his words never comes back void, the satan (the accuser) believes that there is a God, from heaven, the almighty son, so if he believes and trys to put his part, then what you do in action is who you serve.

Answer 10

For your information, Christianity is not a religion. That's a misconception. Chrisitianity is a lifestyle. It has to be lived. There were unbelievers when Jesus was on earth and there are unbelievers now. Many people want to say that if you follow Jesus then you don't have to go to church...but why wouldn't you? If I can go see a movie with my favorite movie star in it or go pay to see a football game...then why not go to serve and praise the Creator of the Universe? Priorities....

You don't have to believe in the Christ..the sun will still rise and still set, the rain will come, the world won't stop spinning...but when the Christ returns EVERY knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord. And that's the realness..