1. The World Religions (2)

Within the 2.1 billion people “labeled” Christians, many different groups have disparate interpretations of the Bible, some embracing other scriptures and revelations. The documentary and historical evidences presented, established the reliability and truthfulness of the Bible as the source of God’s revelation and Jesus’ teachings. I have found no evidence that supports claims of additional gospels and writings, or any revelation or inspiration from God to other persons. Therefore, I am compelled to accept the Bible alone as the source for my knowledge about God and His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. In that respect I call myself a Biblical Christian.

Biblical Christians are, in my definition, those who search seriously and carefully for the meaning of the Bible on its own terms, not changing its meaning to fit the times or culture. They are like the ancient Bereans described in Acts 17:11 “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” The Bereans searched the Scriptures to verify that what was taught was confirmed by the Scriptures. They did not want to believe the gospel because it sounded nice and appealing (like a “health and wealth” gospel or “feel good” message), but they wanted to accept only the truth.

It is likewise with Biblical Christians. They search for the truth, and accept it as God’s truth even if they do not like it. Additionally, Biblical Christians approach the Bible with reverence and respect and do not believe that other writings are inspired. Neither do Biblical Christians believe in additional revelation outside the Bible through other sources or individuals. The Bible itself teaches: “the faith … was once for all delivered“(Jude 3), there are no later or “latter day” revelations. In other words, “the Bible alone is all we need for our spiritual authority. All the things we need to know, believe and practice are clearly stated in the Scriptures, which are given by inspiration of God. Anyone with common sense can understand what the Bible says in order to believe in Christ and be saved.” [3]

This definition of Biblical Christianity is not limited to particular denominations, it is more like a canopy that covers a myriad of churches, denominations and groups, all of whom have beliefs or interpretations of Scripture which they emphasize. What draws these groups together are the fundamental agreements best summarized as these beliefs:

• The Bible alone contains God’s Word. There is no revelation outside the Scripture.
• The atoning death of Christ.[4] His death (and blood shed) was and is sufficient for all past, present and future sins of mankind.
• Salvation cannot be earned through works, it is a gift from God to be accepted through faith. This faith must be active and lead to an obedient response (Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”). Works do not earn salvation, but the lack of an active response and obedience can lead to loss of one’s salvation (James 1:14-17: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”).
• Christ will one day return and all will be judged according to one’s deeds (Revelation 20:12: “Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done”).

Nowadays Biblical Christians are mostly found under the umbrella of Protestants, Evangelical Protestants, or Born Again Christians. But be on alert, not all (Evangelical) Protestants or Born Again Christians meet the above definition of Biblical Christians! 

Later [5], we will look into the history of the Christian faith and survey the main branches of Christianity: The Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Protestant churches.