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Posted by armanps
June 23, 2008
June 23, 2008
All religions are not the same — Biblical Christianity is absolutely unique among all the religions and philosophies of mankind. Its claim to be necessary for salvation is based squarely on the uniquely powerful evidences for its truth and finality. Actually, true Christianity is not a religion, but a person, Jesus Christ.
“By Him, and for Him, were all things created” (note Colossians 1:16, 17).
Thus, Christianity is unique in the following fundamental respects, among many others.
1. Only in the Bible is God revealed as the one eternal, personal Creator, who brought the entire universe into existence by His own Word.
All other religions start with the material universe as the only eternal reality, with their “gods” being essentially personifications of the natural forces which develop the universe into its present form.
On the other hand, the Creator-God of the Bible has all power and is Himself, therefore, not only the One who created the universe but also the One who establishes the basis for human salvation.
2. Christianity alone is centered in the historical events associated with a Person - the birth, death, resurrection, and imminent, glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Other religions are invariably based on the teachings, rather than the acts, of their founders.
3. Jesus Christ alone, of all men in history, has conquered man’s greatest enemy - death.
The founders of other religions are all dead and their tombs venerated. The tomb of Christ is empty, and His bodily resurrection from the grave is the best proved fact of all history. The fact that He alone could overcome death demonstrates that He alone has all power. He Himself said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
4. All other religions of the world are fundamentally just one religion — one of salvation by works. Each religion sets up a particular set of religious rites, of commands and restrictions, and of ethical principles to follow, and then teaches that if a man does these things he will be saved. The human origin of each of these systems is indicated by the fact that each is humanly attainable.
The Bible, however, sets its moral and ethical standard as the very holiness and perfection of God Himself, and demands nothing less than this for salvation. Obviously, no man would invent a standard which was utterly impossible for any man to keep.
5. The man Christ Jesus, alone of all men who ever lived, maintained in every respect a life of perfect holiness and full obedience to the Father, thus demonstrating that He was the God-Man. He then died for the sins of all men and thus can offer full pardon and His own nature of perfect holiness to anyone who receives Him .
Christ alone offers salvation by grace alone, to be received only through faith in Him.
To the one who truly believes on Him, He then gives through the Holy Spirit a new nature, enabling that one to live a life pleasing to God.
There is no mere “religion” in all the world like this. Jesus Christ is the world’s Creator, and its only true Redeemer.
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
“By Him, and for Him, were all things created” (note Colossians 1:16, 17).
Thus, Christianity is unique in the following fundamental respects, among many others.
1. Only in the Bible is God revealed as the one eternal, personal Creator, who brought the entire universe into existence by His own Word.
All other religions start with the material universe as the only eternal reality, with their “gods” being essentially personifications of the natural forces which develop the universe into its present form.
On the other hand, the Creator-God of the Bible has all power and is Himself, therefore, not only the One who created the universe but also the One who establishes the basis for human salvation.
2. Christianity alone is centered in the historical events associated with a Person - the birth, death, resurrection, and imminent, glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Other religions are invariably based on the teachings, rather than the acts, of their founders.
3. Jesus Christ alone, of all men in history, has conquered man’s greatest enemy - death.
The founders of other religions are all dead and their tombs venerated. The tomb of Christ is empty, and His bodily resurrection from the grave is the best proved fact of all history. The fact that He alone could overcome death demonstrates that He alone has all power. He Himself said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
4. All other religions of the world are fundamentally just one religion — one of salvation by works. Each religion sets up a particular set of religious rites, of commands and restrictions, and of ethical principles to follow, and then teaches that if a man does these things he will be saved. The human origin of each of these systems is indicated by the fact that each is humanly attainable.
The Bible, however, sets its moral and ethical standard as the very holiness and perfection of God Himself, and demands nothing less than this for salvation. Obviously, no man would invent a standard which was utterly impossible for any man to keep.
5. The man Christ Jesus, alone of all men who ever lived, maintained in every respect a life of perfect holiness and full obedience to the Father, thus demonstrating that He was the God-Man. He then died for the sins of all men and thus can offer full pardon and His own nature of perfect holiness to anyone who receives Him .
Christ alone offers salvation by grace alone, to be received only through faith in Him.
To the one who truly believes on Him, He then gives through the Holy Spirit a new nature, enabling that one to live a life pleasing to God.
There is no mere “religion” in all the world like this. Jesus Christ is the world’s Creator, and its only true Redeemer.
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
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USER COMMENTS
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Hello Jash,
Nice comment. I agree that religions are not the same as what I have posted. However, we, by our own intellect and might could only have frustrations if we look for the true religion. But, as what I’ve said to Gon, if we study the Bible, there you will find out what true religion is.. and how significant it is in our lives.
The BIG question is... if you can’t find salvation in your religion... what profit is it in your life?
Nice comment. I agree that religions are not the same as what I have posted. However, we, by our own intellect and might could only have frustrations if we look for the true religion. But, as what I’ve said to Gon, if we study the Bible, there you will find out what true religion is.. and how significant it is in our lives.
The BIG question is... if you can’t find salvation in your religion... what profit is it in your life?
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Hi Gon,
Thanks for the comment. But did I forced any issue?
Regarding your first question, the right thing to do is you find it out yourself. Read the BIBLE. So you could have a basis on what you believe, not just what the oldies taught us.. but by learning them ourselves. Remember, when we face God, it’s not them that God will ask... but us, ourselves.
God bless.
Thanks for the comment. But did I forced any issue?
Regarding your first question, the right thing to do is you find it out yourself. Read the BIBLE. So you could have a basis on what you believe, not just what the oldies taught us.. but by learning them ourselves. Remember, when we face God, it’s not them that God will ask... but us, ourselves.
God bless.
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
NO... ALL RELIGIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER.
I believe in respecting each others religion or belief. But I believe there is only one true religion, the religion that Christ built. And it is still existing in this world.
Lets examine every religion and find the true church that Christ built, the main requirement to find it is, it must be the same teachings or doctrines uphold by the first century Christians, same teachings as Christ and the apostles taught.
vb6_programmer@yaho...
I believe in respecting each others religion or belief. But I believe there is only one true religion, the religion that Christ built. And it is still existing in this world.
Lets examine every religion and find the true church that Christ built, the main requirement to find it is, it must be the same teachings or doctrines uphold by the first century Christians, same teachings as Christ and the apostles taught.
vb6_programmer@yaho...
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Hi, ArmapPS
What makes you think that your belief for Jesus Christ is the right thing and not the fate of Muslims, Protestants and other religions
As batuts said, you don’t need to force your issue, your issue is your religion. I myself get offended by Jehovah’s Witnesses and Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) - they’ll push you to believe what they belieive. They respect no religion other than theirs.
What makes you think that your belief for Jesus Christ is the right thing and not the fate of Muslims, Protestants and other religions
As batuts said, you don’t need to force your issue, your issue is your religion. I myself get offended by Jehovah’s Witnesses and Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) - they’ll push you to believe what they belieive. They respect no religion other than theirs.
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Well said.
Sharing your belief does not mean you don’t respect others. If you think what you believe is right, perhaps sharing that information doesn’t mean disrespect. At the end of the day it’s still depends on the person whether he’ll believe you or not. Pushing too much, is another thing.
Just think about your daily life. You share information what you think is necessary and what you think is right. Politics for example, you sometimes give your views. But the view you believe may not be right to others. You just have to be objective on your approach.
Sharing your belief does not mean you don’t respect others. If you think what you believe is right, perhaps sharing that information doesn’t mean disrespect. At the end of the day it’s still depends on the person whether he’ll believe you or not. Pushing too much, is another thing.
Just think about your daily life. You share information what you think is necessary and what you think is right. Politics for example, you sometimes give your views. But the view you believe may not be right to others. You just have to be objective on your approach.
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Hi G!
I appreciate the comments. However, the post just tells us that religions around the world aren’t the same, as some claim to be. This is a basic truth, no need to argue with it.
I respect other people’s religion and personal beliefs as I want them to respect mine also. But I guess sharing bible truths is not disrespect but rather an eye-opener, as what I have experienced. For the bible said in John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Btw, allow me share to you what is a cult:
Christianity rejected.
Cults often suggest that the "true" Christian church has failed, thinned out, or died. They may also believe some of Jesus teaching was omitted from the Bible or was subverted by self-seeking, godless men. The result, they say, is a contemporary Christian church that doesn’t teach the truth. Thus, they reject Christianity. To address this, I ask them to read Jude 3, which tells us to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Then I ask some questions such as: How many times was the faith delivered? (Once); How long will that faith last? (For all time); Is there any chance Christianity might die out? (no). You might also consider using Matt. 16:18 to confront this argument about the church’s purity and vitality.
Use a new truth.
Cults attract followers by claiming they possess newly revealed truth. New truth often centers on an individual with a supposed pipeline to God, a new set of scriptures, or both. "The Bible is OK," they say, "but it’s not enough. You need this extra book of scriptures or the correct interpretation of the Bible. Then you will have sufficient truth." Cults try to convince people that they cannot have access to these new truths through any other group.
But Isaiah 40:8 clearly challenges such claims: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Consider asking these questions: What is it that stands forever? (The Word of God); Does it seem possible that the Word of God could change, become corrupted, or disappear? (No)
New truth is unnecessary because the Bible’s original revelation is sufficient, unchanging, and stands forever. You might also consider together Psalm 119:89 and Isaiah 55:10-11.
Look for salvation apart from Christ.
Many cults use familiar Christian words or phrases but with different meanings. Some, for example, call Jesus their Savior. Others say they are saved by grace. But we must look closely at statements such as these.
In cults, salvation is always established by some form of works. Members must conform to an external code. Leaders use guilt, fear, and manipulation to motivate people to make sacrifices for the cult and to recruit new members. They teach their followers that the end is near and urge them to work hard to attain salvation. This work often includes some type of proselytizing.
New Testament message of salvation by grace counters the cults’ emphasis upon works. In Eph. 2:8-9, Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
This passage and many others clearly teach that God graciously offers salvation as a free gift. It cannot be earned. With this verse, I might ask: How are we saved? (By accepting God’s gift of salvation) Can we save ourselves? (No. We are unable to earn salvation through our works. Faith alone allows us to receive God’s gift.)
For anyone who asks about the place of good works in the life of a Christian, I would continue with verse 10: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has prepared good works for believers to complete, but their purpose is not to earn salvation. Instead, our good works testify that God is at work in and through our lives. For additional study, see John 6:28-29, Gal. 2:16, 21, and Titus 3:4-7.
Teach another Jesus.
Many cults claim some sort of spiritual connection to Jesus yet distort the claims He made about Himself in the Bible. They refuse to accept Him on His terms. The Mormons believe that Jesus is an exalted man, not the eternal Son of God. To the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus is Michael, the archangel. To the Moonies, Jesus was a very good man who failed in His mission. The Way International asserts that Jesus was a specially created, perfect man.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and God the Son. This is the heart of the gospel. Paul spoke to the Galatian church in strong terms when it veered from the gospel into legalism: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" Gal. 1:8
What Jesus offers depends upon His identity. For example, since Jesus is God, He can offer us eternal life. Since Jesus was fully man, He was able to bear sin’s penalty for me. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." After cultists read this verse aloud, I ask them: Who is the way to the Father? (Jesus Christ) If I am wrong about Jesus, will I still get into heaven? (No. We are only able to receive eternal life from the one who is able to give eternal life.)
You cannot follow Jesus yet deny His own words about Himself in the Bible. Jesus alone offers us salvation and enables us to live godly lives. He makes what cults have to offer unnecessary. Matthew 24:23-25 and I John 4:1-3 are other important passages about Christ’s identity.
God bless.
I appreciate the comments. However, the post just tells us that religions around the world aren’t the same, as some claim to be. This is a basic truth, no need to argue with it.
I respect other people’s religion and personal beliefs as I want them to respect mine also. But I guess sharing bible truths is not disrespect but rather an eye-opener, as what I have experienced. For the bible said in John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Btw, allow me share to you what is a cult:
Christianity rejected.
Cults often suggest that the "true" Christian church has failed, thinned out, or died. They may also believe some of Jesus teaching was omitted from the Bible or was subverted by self-seeking, godless men. The result, they say, is a contemporary Christian church that doesn’t teach the truth. Thus, they reject Christianity. To address this, I ask them to read Jude 3, which tells us to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Then I ask some questions such as: How many times was the faith delivered? (Once); How long will that faith last? (For all time); Is there any chance Christianity might die out? (no). You might also consider using Matt. 16:18 to confront this argument about the church’s purity and vitality.
Use a new truth.
Cults attract followers by claiming they possess newly revealed truth. New truth often centers on an individual with a supposed pipeline to God, a new set of scriptures, or both. "The Bible is OK," they say, "but it’s not enough. You need this extra book of scriptures or the correct interpretation of the Bible. Then you will have sufficient truth." Cults try to convince people that they cannot have access to these new truths through any other group.
But Isaiah 40:8 clearly challenges such claims: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Consider asking these questions: What is it that stands forever? (The Word of God); Does it seem possible that the Word of God could change, become corrupted, or disappear? (No)
New truth is unnecessary because the Bible’s original revelation is sufficient, unchanging, and stands forever. You might also consider together Psalm 119:89 and Isaiah 55:10-11.
Look for salvation apart from Christ.
Many cults use familiar Christian words or phrases but with different meanings. Some, for example, call Jesus their Savior. Others say they are saved by grace. But we must look closely at statements such as these.
In cults, salvation is always established by some form of works. Members must conform to an external code. Leaders use guilt, fear, and manipulation to motivate people to make sacrifices for the cult and to recruit new members. They teach their followers that the end is near and urge them to work hard to attain salvation. This work often includes some type of proselytizing.
New Testament message of salvation by grace counters the cults’ emphasis upon works. In Eph. 2:8-9, Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
This passage and many others clearly teach that God graciously offers salvation as a free gift. It cannot be earned. With this verse, I might ask: How are we saved? (By accepting God’s gift of salvation) Can we save ourselves? (No. We are unable to earn salvation through our works. Faith alone allows us to receive God’s gift.)
For anyone who asks about the place of good works in the life of a Christian, I would continue with verse 10: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has prepared good works for believers to complete, but their purpose is not to earn salvation. Instead, our good works testify that God is at work in and through our lives. For additional study, see John 6:28-29, Gal. 2:16, 21, and Titus 3:4-7.
Teach another Jesus.
Many cults claim some sort of spiritual connection to Jesus yet distort the claims He made about Himself in the Bible. They refuse to accept Him on His terms. The Mormons believe that Jesus is an exalted man, not the eternal Son of God. To the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus is Michael, the archangel. To the Moonies, Jesus was a very good man who failed in His mission. The Way International asserts that Jesus was a specially created, perfect man.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and God the Son. This is the heart of the gospel. Paul spoke to the Galatian church in strong terms when it veered from the gospel into legalism: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" Gal. 1:8
What Jesus offers depends upon His identity. For example, since Jesus is God, He can offer us eternal life. Since Jesus was fully man, He was able to bear sin’s penalty for me. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." After cultists read this verse aloud, I ask them: Who is the way to the Father? (Jesus Christ) If I am wrong about Jesus, will I still get into heaven? (No. We are only able to receive eternal life from the one who is able to give eternal life.)
You cannot follow Jesus yet deny His own words about Himself in the Bible. Jesus alone offers us salvation and enables us to live godly lives. He makes what cults have to offer unnecessary. Matthew 24:23-25 and I John 4:1-3 are other important passages about Christ’s identity.
God bless.
re: Aren’t all religions basically the same?
Nice Post but do you believe that religion is one of the most thing that’s very hard to agrue with?
With all due respect, what we believe what is right is bound by what
For example, A man who grew on a remote area where there is no dress. To him there’s no wrong having no dress, why there is to us. This is laws of men you may say. You’re right.
I believe in Bible, have faith on Jesus and God... It’s just i don’t want to argue who’s the better religion. Respect begets respect. Respect other religion and they’ll respect ours. Respect their belief and they’ll respect ours.
How do you define cult? We have a religous group here in the Philippines called Rizalista - Are they cult? Was it because they few? Com’on. Why can’t we respect them? Going back to Jesus age. There was no christianism. Jesus was even one time called witch. Why because they’re minor during that time? Think about it.
With all due respect, what we believe what is right is bound by what
For example, A man who grew on a remote area where there is no dress. To him there’s no wrong having no dress, why there is to us. This is laws of men you may say. You’re right.
I believe in Bible, have faith on Jesus and God... It’s just i don’t want to argue who’s the better religion. Respect begets respect. Respect other religion and they’ll respect ours. Respect their belief and they’ll respect ours.
How do you define cult? We have a religous group here in the Philippines called Rizalista - Are they cult? Was it because they few? Com’on. Why can’t we respect them? Going back to Jesus age. There was no christianism. Jesus was even one time called witch. Why because they’re minor during that time? Think about it.
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