I felt it was time to share what I believe about Christianity because, as the owner of Interviews & Reviews, my beliefs will dictate what kinds of books we will promote and review on this website. If you disagree with my beliefs, that is okay. You don't have to promote your books here, nor do you have to review them. I do not and will not take down books (as someone requested) because your beliefs are different than the author's. I understand if you believe some churches are not part of the Christian faith, but we are all part of the family of God, for those who believe in Jesus His Son (Col. 3:11).
The following are my beliefs:
I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Saviour. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe they make up the Godhead and are not three separate entities but one person, based on Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29. Therefore, I believe in the Holy Trinity.
I believe that God came to earth in the form of a baby, born to a virgin named Mary. This baby was named Jesus or Emmanuel (God with us). I believe that Jesus was the Messiah; the Saviour sent to redeem humanity.
I believe God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that all who believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). I believe that Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and rose again on the third day.
I believe that I am a sinner saved by grace. Jesus died so that I might live forever with Him. I believe His blood has covered my sins, and I have been washed clean. I believe that Jesus diedfor everyone, but that it takes more than head knowledge of what He did for me to be saved. Only repentant sinners are in the proper condition to accept divine forgiveness.Without repentance, there can be no forgiveness of sins. I cannot be good enough to get into heaven. No one can. If we could, there would have been no need for Jesus' death. No amount of good works will get me into heaven if I do not have a repentant heart. Therefore, I must acknowledge what Jesus did for me, confess my sins to Him and repent of them to receive the Holy Spirit, promised to all who believe in and follow Jesus.
I believe that I do not have to make myself right with God first before I come to Him because Romans 5:8 says that He died for me, knowing I was a sinner. I come to Him, a sinner, looking for forgiveness and cleansing. I believe the Holy Spirit enters me at the time of my conversion to Jesus. It is with the Holy Spirit's guidance that I grow more and more to be like Jesus. I believe that I am still capable of sin, even after acknowledging Christ as my Lord and Saviour. My sins are forgiven, but my sinful nature still resides within me. And so I must choose to be obedient unto God and not abuse God's grace. I believe that Jesus is my Saviour, Lord and friend.
I believe that baptism says to the world that I am turning my life over to Christ by following his example of baptism and announcing that I will follow Him. I do not believe baptism will save me. It is purely symbolic of my devotion to God and a testimony to the world that I belong to Him. Only Jesus' shed blood can save me, and only Jesus can forgive me of my sins. I believe that the Holy Spirit's baptism happened when I first believed and confessed Christ as my Lord and Saviour, and I was sealed for redemption in Jesus by His Holy Spirit.
I believe Jesus is the only way to salvation because He said, He was the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6).
I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe one day soon, Jesus will return and that the "dead in Christ" will rise to meet him in the air, and those of us who are left will follow.