by Linda G. Hull

Created on: November 14, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2009

Wondering what Christians believe? Knowledge of the Christian worldview will provide understanding of the driving force behind Christian influence throughout the world today. Following are the five basic foundational beliefs that form the Christian worldview:

*The Christian worldview is founded upon the teachings of the Bible, written by men who were inspired by God. The Bible is also infallible, meaning it is incapable of error and inerrant, meaning that it is free of error. This is an important premise because the foundational Christian beliefs are derived from the Bible.

*Christians believe in a triune God consisting of three distinct persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three each have a unique role. God is the creator and ruler over the universe. He is all knowing and present everywhere. God is perfect and without sin; He is holy. Jesus is all God and all man. The Holy Spirit indwells each believer from the moment of salvation, serving as God's guarantee of salvation from the punishment of sin.

*Mankind was created by God, male and female, in the image of God. Adam and Eve were the first humans. They broke God's Law, condemning all of humanity to eternal death, resulting in separation from God. Their sin nature and the condemnation of God are passed down to each human in each generation. Man is at enmity with God and is blind to spiritual truths until salvation. Upon acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord by faith, man is forgiven of sin and reconciled with God the Father.

*Mankind needs salvation from God's punishment. God sent His Son, Jesus to take the punishment mankind deserves. Jesus was born of a virgin, was sinless, and hence has the authority and right to redeem mankind. His death satisfied the requirements of God's Law. He rose from the grave on the third day and ascended into Heaven on the fortieth day. Salvation can not be earned by good works or by personal merit.

*Jesus is coming again to judge the world. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast away into eternal punishment. Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter into God's Kingdom. Jesus will come as King and Ruler over the universe. He will reign supreme.

God reveals Himself in nature, in the hearts of believers, and in His Word, the Bible. Since God is perfect and without sin, He can not lie. These foundational beliefs about God and His relationship with mankind are true. God is merciful and wants all to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

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