The central tenet of Christianity can be summarized as, “I believe what the Holy Bible tells me.” However, the Bible contains a wealth of information, and different interpretations of its scriptures have led to varying beliefs among those who identify as Christians. Still, the core and essential beliefs below form the foundation of Christianity. Those who believe otherwise are probably not true Christians.

The Trinity

God’s divine essence or nature consists of three distinct, eternal, and unchanging persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These members of the Trinity are the only deities that exist; they make up the one true God. Each is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. The Son is subordinate to the will of the Father, while the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the will of both the Son and the Father. The nature of the Trinity or the Godhead is certainly more complex than just three persons acting as God. The uncertainty of this concept troubles some and may hinder their conviction, but since God is beyond our mortal understanding, don’t worry about it.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ^{1st John 5:7}

God the Father

There is only one living and true God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, sovereign, incomprehensible, merciful, loving, gracious, patient, truthful, faithful, wise, all-knowing, and ever-present. He embodies perfect righteousness, morality, and holiness, free from evil, error, or sin. God works everything according to his immutable and righteous will. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, rewarding those who diligently seek him. At the same time, he is just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and ensuring that the guilty are severely punished.

God the Son, Jesus Christ

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  ^{Matthew 16:15-16}

Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the living God, who was God incarnate, the word (revelation) of God living among us. ^{John 1:14} He is our advocate in heaven, ^{1 John 2:1} and the light of the world. ^{John 8:12} Jesus is God, not a created being. He created all things ^{John 1:3} and all things were created for him. ^{Colossians 1:16} Jesus alone is the way to eternal life. ^{John 1:4} He is our only hope for salvation from the penalty of our sins and eternal life in Heaven. ^{John 14:6}

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ^{1st Peter 1:3-5}

God the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. ^{John 14:16}

The Holy Spirit is a divine person with will and emotions. He dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

Jesus the Redeemer

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ^{John 1:29}

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice who redeems us from the penalty of our sins. He bore the punishment for the ungodly through his brutal death on the cross. Jesus is the Redeemer for all who call on his name; he will either be your Savior or your Judge

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ^{1 Corinthians 15:17-20}

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This confirmed his divinity and his substitutionary atonement for our sins. If there had been no resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but rather for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ^{Romans 3:10}

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ^{Romans 3:23}

No one on earth is righteous enough to stand alone before God. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and is under condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, as no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your righteousness, you will perish.

 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:23}

Judgement is Coming

Everyone will die and be held accountable for their actions during their mortal life. You can stand before God forgiven and as an heir to his kingdom, or as a soul who died with unforgiven sins.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. ^{Hebrews 9:27}

Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (sola fide) and by the Grace of God Alone (sola gratia)

For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works let any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

There is nothing man can do to earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ does that. We are saved for doing good works, not by good works. ^{Galatians 2:16} The only thing you can do to be saved is to know there is nothing you can do to be saved other than cast yourself on the mercy of God.

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven (solus Christus)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ^{John 14:6}

There is only one way to heaven, and that is by faith and submission to Jesus Christ. This message of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

The Bible is the Only Authority on Faith, Doctrine and Practice (sola scriptura)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ^{Romans 1:16}

The Holy Bible is God’s word, his revelation to us, and it contains everything we need to know. It is the final authority on all aspects of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines from human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; there is nothing else to consider.

 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ^{Revelation 22:18-19}

God is in Control

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ^{Romans 8:28} 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. ^{Peter 5:10}

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ^{Matthew 19:26}

We who are in Christ are under the care of the mighty God, the creator and sustainer of all. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly keep from him. Nothing happens to his children without passing through his hands; nothing surprises him, and everything that occurs is for our ultimate good.

The Return of Jesus Christ.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ^{Hebrews 9:28}        

Jesus came to Earth the first time as a suffering servant. He did not come to judge but to save the world. For thousands of years since his departure, humanity has had the opportunity to turn to him and be saved from the inescapable wrath of God.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering King bringing God’s wrath upon the unrighteous world. This event will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and momentous in human history. 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. ^{Revelation 19:11-16}