What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?

The beliefs elemental to Christianity are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4: Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of “dos and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.


Beyond the foundational belief in the gospel are other doctrines that define what Christianity is and what traditional Christians believe. Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, “God-breathed” Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Christians believe in one God who eternally exists in three Persons—the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that mankind was created to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all humanity from God (Romans 3:23; 5:12). Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God incarnate, that He is fully God yet fully man (Philippians 2:6–11). Christianity teaches that Jesus died on a cross to pay for the sins of the world. Christians believe that, after His death, Christ was buried, He rose again bodily, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the Father’s right hand where He intercedes for believers (Hebrews 7:25). Christianity proclaims that the shedding of Jesus’ blood was sufficient to completely pay the sin debt owed by all people (1 John 2:2). His death and resurrection are what make possible the restoration of God’s relationship with humanity (Hebrews 9:11–14; 10:10; Romans 5:8; 6:23).

Christianity teaches that, to be reconciled to God, one must place his or her faith in the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10). If we believe that Christ died in our stead to pay the price of our own sins and that He rose again from the dead, then we are saved. Salvation is the gracious act of God in which we are forgiven of our sin, adopted into God’s family, and given a new nature (John 1:12; 3:16–18; Ephesians 1:3–11). At salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells us, seals us, and transforms us to live as God would have us live (Romans 8:9–17, 29–30; Ephesians 1:13–14; Philippians 1:6).

Christianity teaches that there is nothing anyone can do to earn salvation. We cannot be “good enough” to please God on our own, because we are all sinners (Isaiah 53:6; 64:6–7; Romans 3:23). Christians believe that Christ has done all the work on their behalf (Romans 6:23). On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), meaning that the work of redemption was completed.

According to Christianity, salvation is freedom from the old sin nature and the right to be called sons and daughters of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). The saved are emancipated from their slavery to sin and are now slaves to Christ (Romans 6:15–22). The struggle against sin continues; however, Christians can have victory over sin as they obey God’s Word and submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading in everyday circumstances (Galatians 3:3; 5:13–26; Ephesians 5:8–20; Philippians 2:12–13).

Many religious systems require a person to do or not do certain things, but Christianity is about faith in a person and His work. When we put our trust in Jesus, our sin debt is paid and we have genuine fellowship with God (John 15:1–17; 17:20–23). He gives us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever. He teaches us in His Word. He enables us to live out His ways by the power of His Spirit. The Christian life is one of growth—in love and knowledge of God, in awareness of our own sinfulness, and in learning to hate sin and live in righteousness. Christianity is meant to be characterized by love for God and love for others (John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:7–12). Christians trust that fullness of life is in God and that He is faithful to His promises (John 10:10; Hebrews 11:1—12:3). Christians believe that, one day, Jesus will come again and they will be with God forever in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:3–5; 22:1–5).