Before considering any faith, there must be some “ground rules” to establish what we believe. One of these “rules” is understanding the claims of the Word of God. Another would be who is Jesus Christ? Also, what does the Word of God say about the end times and the ultimate destiny of man?
What does the Word of God claim?
- The Word of God is inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration (God breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Peter 1:20, 21 “Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will or man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“
- Jesus Christ was the virgin born Son of God (no human father). At His baptism by John at the river, Jordan, God spoke declaring Jesus as His Son “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” He was declared to be sinless by the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 1: I 5) tempted in all points like as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.
- Christ brought an end to the old covenant. In Romans, Paul wrote that “Christ is the end of the law” as He fulfilled all its requirements, something no mortal man could do. Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death through his atoning sacrifice. The entire eighth chapter of Hebrews speaks of Christ becoming the mediator of the new covenant. The old covenant was with the Jews, but the new was made with the Church.
- The observance of the Sabbath Day worship ended when Christ arose from the dead on the first day of the week. Before it was His custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day but after His resurrection, there is no record that He entered the synagogue again. Not only did He rise from the dead on the first day of the week, but He appeared to His disciples on the first day of the week. The church is mentioned of meeting on the first day of the week.
- There will be a final judgement of the wicked. It is a time of separating the saved from the wicked (unsaved). Jesus Himself spoke of this event in Matthew 21:41-46. It speaks of judgement and the wicked being thrown into the Lake of fire and the righteous into everlasting life.
Conclusion: The Word of God is the only Book, inspired by God and the guide to likeminded practice. Jesus is God’s Son and He can he trusted. There is a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8, 9) in the blood of the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ and nothing else.