Now faith is the substance (certainty) of things hoped for (the promises of God), the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. ^{Hebrews 11:1}

Faith defined.

Faith is confidence, trust, and conviction that something is true. Christian faith is believing the Word of God, which leads to submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith begins by hearing the good news; through it, we are justified and have peace with God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

What is it that the Word of God tells us to believe?

When we hear the Word of God, we hear some incredible things. We are told that everyone is spiritually dead, unrighteous, an enemy of God, and headed for eternal damnation. We are told that God implanted himself in a teenage Jewish girl and was born as Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless life. We are told that God orchestrated an amazing plan to save humanity from Hell by the brutal murder of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was God incarnate, a member of the 3-person Godhead trinity, to atone for our sins through his crucifixion, and that he was then raised from the dead three days later. We are told that only those who believe this will enter Heaven, and those who do not believe will spend eternity in the agony of Hell.

Who would believe this?

This incredible message is delivered through preaching by mortal men, perhaps a sweaty evangelist in a $2,000 suit. We read scriptures written by a God we cannot see, hear, or touch, yet we are expected to accept them as true or face a punishment so terrible it is beyond comprehension. Who in their right mind would believe any of this? Our intellect, reason, and culture lead us to dismiss this as nonsense and move on with our lives. And that is precisely what most choose to do.

The Miracle.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. ^{John 6:29}

But here is the miracle of faith: those who hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ are drawn and empowered by God to do so. Faith is not something we can produce ourselves. It is God who gives us faith and brings our spirit to life. Salvation by faith is an unearned and undeserved gift of God’s grace and mercy, one we can choose to accept or reject by free will.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ^{Ephesians 2:8}

The Substantiation of Our Faith

Through life’s trials and challenges, the guidance, comfort, and answered prayers we experience confirm, validate, and strengthen our faith, demonstrating that the object of our belief is real and that we are not running this race in vain.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ^{John 15:7-8}

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ^{James 5:16}

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is also a powerful confirmation of the validity of our faith. God moves to direct us and shape our circumstances, and his impact is clearly seen in our lives.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ^{Philippians 2:13}

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ^{Proverbs 3:5-6}

Fools for Christ

Our faith is visceral, and the secular world sees Christians as naive, ignorant fools. But we know that when the time for faith has passed, we will be proven wise, and the worldly man will be revealed as the fool in his godless intellect. God takes great joy in saving humble, trusting souls who believe despite the world’s wisdom.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.^{1st Corinthians 1:18-21}

Man’s Unbelief is Natural

The origin of faith is God. The persistence of unbelief stems from free will, shaped by a hardened heart driven by worldly desires and a conscience seared by love of sin. Humanity’s default is not to believe the Word of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ^{1st Corinthians 2:14}

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ^{John 3:18}

Christian faith is the belief and conviction that what the Word of God says is true. Yet the Bible contains a wealth of information, often presented in ambiguous verses open to interpretation. This has produced both minor and major variations in dogma among Christians. Beliefs about baptism and communion, Reformed doctrine, eschatology, the doctrine of salvation, the papacy, liturgy, church governance, and many other matters have divided Christendom into numerous denominations and sects. Still, amid the confusion and noise of organized religion, there are core, essential beliefs that form the foundation of Christian truth. Presented below are the undisputed (mostly) foundational beliefs that unite all those who love Jesus.  

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 all things 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 appropriately 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,  God incarnate, and 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 for 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 dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining them. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the 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. Without the resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough to Enter Heaven

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 before God alone. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and faces condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, because no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your own 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 be held responsible for their actions, thoughts, and intentions 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 a person 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. We are saved by faith, not by good works. ^{Galatians 2:16} The only way to be saved is to understand that there is nothing you can do to be saved other than casting 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 through faith and submission to Jesus Christ. The truth of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

Our Inheritance in Heaven is Assured

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. ^{1 Peter 1:3-5}

We rejoice that our salvation is certain and that our inheritance in the Kingdom of God will never diminish. It is by the power of the Almighty God that we persevere in the faith until our glorification is realized.

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}

Those in Christ are under the care of the creator and sustainer of all things. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly withhold 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 first came to Earth 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 God’s inescapable wrath.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering king who brings 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}

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 contains everything we need to know. It is the ultimate authority on all matters of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines born of human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; nothing else needs to be considered. Our Catholic friends also add sacred tradition and the Magisterium as additional sources of authority, a key distinction between them and Protestants.

 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}

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. ^{Romans 1:19-20}

Although God is not physically present or audibly speaks to us, there are undeniable, tangible markers in the world that attest to his presence.

The first point to consider is that we are here. There is no debate that, even under ideal conditions, the probability of the simplest life forms emerging from nothing is effectively zero. Consequently, the odds of a sophisticated mammal capable of comprehending a complex language and contemplating abstract concepts are then absolutely zero. Yet, here you are. How can we account for that?

Also, the planet where that unlikely mammal lives is perfectly designed and created for him. Earth has the exact amount of everything needed for humans and all other living things to thrive. Could Earth’s perfect distance from the Sun or the planet’s perfect composition of rock, water, temperature, and atmosphere be a fluke of nature?

Consider also the incredible diversity of living things here on Earth. There are so many species that they cannot be counted precisely. The most recent authoritative estimate is over 8.5 million, plus or minus a million. Among these millions of species is a wide range of configurations that speak to influence beyond just environmental pressure or the adaptation necessary to survive over time.

For example, the blue whale weighs 400,000 pounds, while the tiny bumblebee bat weighs only 7/100 of an ounce. One lives underwater, and the other flies through the air, using the echo of its screams to find and catch bugs. It seems unlikely that evolution alone could explain the incredible diversity of animals on Earth. Instead, it appears that the vast inventory of unique flora and fauna offers credible evidence of God’s work.

Another demonstration of God’s existence is the human eye. The eye is an amazing example of design perfection, providing the miracle of sight in a highly efficient, compact organ of irreducible complexity. It weighs only a quarter of an ounce, has millions of moving parts and light-sensitive cells, can distinguish over 10 million colors, and can spot a candle flame from about a mile and a half away. The genius of the eye’s design and its realization seems too extraordinary to have happened by chance, pointing to the existence of a divine architect and creator. Even Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection, recognizes the obvious:

“To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I confess, absurd in the highest degree” – Charles Darwin.

Then there is morality – principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong. In nature, it is correct and acceptable for the strong to prey on the weak and for the cunning to deceive the naive. In this sense, there is no concept of wrong in nature; there is only the way things are. However, in human society, even though the definition and perception of morality may change somewhat over time, we recognize that some actions and behaviors are good, righteous, and noble, while others are immoral, unrighteous, and even evil.

Few would dispute that murder is immoral or that sacrificing for others is a righteous act. It is easy to recognize evil in our world, such as the depraved individual who massacred 20 innocent children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Conversely, it is equally clear that someone who volunteers their life to save another or to save everyone represents the highest form of virtue. If there is only nature, with no distinction of morality, what accounts for our fundamental recognition of right and wrong, good and evil? Did we learn about these differences through upbringing, intellect, and life experiences? Or do we live in a world created by a God who intends for us to rise above the instincts of nature?

The evidence is compelling that our world and everything in it is the work of a deity, the Almighty God. However, both accepting and rejecting that conclusion require acts of faith. Some will see the existence of God as obvious and believe that to deny it goes against reason. Others will trust in the tiny odds that everything in creation happened by chance.

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.  ^{Job 12:7-10}