How do we know that Christianity is the true religion?

[Pal Handy]

is there anyway to know for sure that it is the true religion? it seems so hard to keep believing in it when you cannot see any changes in your life and I feel that its so confusing, I know that some people will post bible verses but what I mean is how do we know that the bible is really the word of God?

Thanks I believe it is, but after so many prayers that have not seemed to be answered I just have a little doubt, is there any thing that God has showed you in life?

History of the Bible - YouTube

 

[Pal Handy]

Messianic Prophecies - YouTube

 

[Pal Handy]

Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls - YouTube

 

[OntheHorizon]

What is wrong with you I hope it is your weakness which says that and not your willful decision.

We judge prophets by their fruits and fulfilled prophesy.

See Psalm 22, Isaiah, Daniel and Psalms for extensive prophesies and every book there in the bible but especially the prophets
Also only believers have fruit. Do you believe in Jesus Way or not?
"This is the condemnation that the light has come into the World and men loved darkness rather than the light"

Anyone who rejects Jesus obviously never really thought any of his sins were serious at all.

Daniel says some will be raised to life and others to everlasting shame and contempt
Will that shame ever be taken away? Only if there is true repentance which they may or may not do

she was just saying these arguments are circular, they aren't useful outside of our preexisting faith. christianity is based on faith. Jesus said it like wind that is not discernable and Jesus came from a virgin. these things require faith, she didn't say she doubted.

 

[Pal Handy]

Do the four Gospels in the New Testament give historically accurate information? - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy4nAJ6uOqI

 

[Nick316]

is there anyway to know for sure that it is the true religion? it seems so hard to keep believing in it when you cannot see any changes in your life and I feel that its so confusing, I know that some people will post bible verses but what I mean is how do we know that the bible is really the word of God?

Thanks I believe it is, but after so many prayers that have not seemed to be answered I just have a little doubt, is there any thing that God has showed you in life?

I will admit that I'm not the most experienced Christian, and I haven't read the Bible completely, but I will share what I have researched from different websites.

I think that we can be sure that the Bible is the Word of God by the sheer accuracy of it. Some critics will say it isn't accurate, but that simply just isn't true. Numerous scientific principles found in the Bible have been proven true.

Earth is a sphere, rounded- Isaiah 40:22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Earth free-floats in space- Job 26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.

Full list here- Science and the Bible

There is also a lot of archaeology supporting the Bible as well. A lot of Biblical people have been confirmed to be real, and a lot of cities mentioned in the Bible have been discovered.

Archaeological evidence verifying biblical cities | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Archaeology proves the Bible true | Geeky Christian

Does Archaeology Support the Bible? - Answers in Genesis

We have over 20,000 New Testament manuscripts in existence, with 99.5% textual accuracy. The writers of the Gospels were eyewitnesses or peers to the eyewitnesses, and numerous historians mention Jesus Christ. The majority of historians agree on these three facts:

FACT #1: After his crucifixion, Jesus was buried in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea.

FACT #2: On the Sunday following the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty by a group of his women followers.

FACT #3: On multiple occasions and under various circumstances, different individuals and groups of people experienced appearances of Jesus alive from the dead.

You can see the full argument for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ here- The Resurrection of Jesus | Reasonable Faith

I experienced what I thought was a sign from God a few weeks ago. I was seeking advice here on some doubts and struggles. After I posted the thread, I lied down on my bottom bunk (I still have a bunkbed, for whatever reason) and reached beside me on my shelf. I picked up what appeared to be some dusty book, and I realized it was a copy of the New Testament that I had gotten about 12 years ago.

I know of a lot more sites and arguments for Christianity, if you want them just ask.

 

[The Fire Rises]

So the book just randomly appeared on your table?

 

[Nick316]

So the book just randomly appeared on your table?

Talking to me?

EDIT: Pretty obvious that you are, lol. No, I don't really know how the book got there, I don't even really remember having it. Maybe a few vague memories. When I picked it up, it was covered in dust. The date that I marked inside (it is a Gideons Bible) says 4/8/2001.

In the back of the book, under "date accepted Christ" as January 15th 2006, not sure if that is exactly the accurate date though. I don't really remember when I first became a Christian.

 

[The Fire Rises]

Oh, well neat story regardless.

There was a time when my mom was frantically looking for her Bible cause we were going to be late for church, and she was just about to give up and leave the room when she heard a thud. She looked over towards the book case where the Bible had somehow fallen onto the floor on its own. That's about the only random Bible story I can remember haha

 

[DreyDay]

God has worked in my life countless times. The most vivid were the times when I was angry at God and he showed me his work, and I knew it was only from him and not coincidence.

Does God work in your life? Yes.

Are you allowing him to use you? That's up to you. You're saying your prayers are not answered. Why do you keep praying but not taking any action? What steps are you taking today to get closer to your potential?

I did have doubts about my faith before, but now I'm noticing how it comes together. We can't comprehend infinity but that's how the universe got started. God always existed but we can't comprehend that because our humans minds cannot grasp the idea that time doesn't exist. So, somewhere along the way God decided to create this majestic universe. He decided to. So it's safe to say that God decided to create human life in all its glory too, until two people screwed it up for all of mankind. God decided to create you. At some point in time God wanted to create you to have you fulfill some majestic purpose like the rest of this universe.

Your praying is just a fraction of the picture. God is waiting for you to open your life up to him and let his majesty shine through you. What actions and small steps are you taking right now to get there?

 

[homeofmew]

What is wrong with you I hope it is your weakness which says that and not your willful decision.

Doesn't the bible say you should live by faith?
There are many historical evidences in Christianity, but there are in other religions too. I'm pretty sure no Christian Denies the Existence of Buddha, a precedent teaching of Hinduism.

The only reason I say there is no way to know for sure, is well, honestly we don't we know after we die 100%. Any Christian who says they 1re 100% sure is only lying to them self. Because other faiths even some off branches of Christianity like the LDS and Jehovah's witnesses say they are 100% certain. NOT everyone can be 100% certain. Even Mathematically there is some error. involved. Let's say Christianity isn't the right way you waste your entire life, and may go to some other faiths hell, or purgatory. What about the Chinese in 1000 BC? is it fair they go to hell? The way Christianity has it self set up is Jewish people and middle eastern get saved, along with some modern western people.

All I am saying is God should be a just God and take all of this into account, and I just don't buy the "you have to do x,y,z" in Christianity. We have all fallen short and sinned every Generation, why is it only a select time period get saved?

Let's say I am wrong and I face God and he knows that I have Confessed a sinner, but some native American from 1200 AD goes to hell? I don't know

 

[REPHAIAHPEDAHEL]

You don't know because Christianity is not a religion.

 

[kellhus]

You don't know because Christianity is not a religion.

Yeah it is. Look it up in a dictionary, Christianity pretty clearly fits the definition, no matter what sappy post-modern rhetoric pastors these days are trying to apply.

 

[The Fire Rises]

Yeah I'll be honest, I've never really understood those who claimed Christianity isn't a religion, at least by definition. There is always the "Religion is man's attempt to reach God, Christ is God's attempt to reach man", which I very much believe. The way we worship and incorporate Christ into our lives though, is by and large done so in a religious way (tithing, attending church every Sunday, etc.) I should stop there though because this could probably derail the entire thread if a debate gets started.

 

[christiantruth1334]

Doesn't the bible say you should live by faith?
There are many historical evidences in Christianity, but there are in other religions too. I'm pretty sure no Christian Denies the Existence of Buddha, a precedent teaching of Hinduism.

The only reason I say there is no way to know for sure, is well, honestly we don't we know after we die 100%. Any Christian who says they 1re 100% sure is only lying to them self. Because other faiths even some off branches of Christianity like the LDS and Jehovah's witnesses say they are 100% certain. NOT everyone can be 100% certain. Even Mathematically there is some error. involved. Let's say Christianity isn't the right way you waste your entire life, and may go to some other faiths hell, or purgatory. What about the Chinese in 1000 BC? is it fair they go to hell? The way Christianity has it self set up is Jewish people and middle eastern get saved, along with some modern western people.

All I am saying is God should be a just God and take all of this into account, and I just don't buy the "you have to do x,y,z" in Christianity. We have all fallen short and sinned every Generation, why is it only a select time period get saved?

Let's say I am wrong and I face God and he knows that I have Confessed a sinner, but some native American from 1200 AD goes to hell? I don't know

you are right christianity came with mighty signs and wonders healings of all diseases casting out of demons miracles and raising of the dead. That is the christianity I accepted so I can not answer your question

I guess you have made me afraid that I will be judged for not finding a miracle or sign in myself that proves Jesus but who says there are no signs today or they are not possible and if so why? that is something christianity has to answer for.
"If you have faith as a mustard seed you can say to this mulbery tree move from here to there and it will move"
you are right that we must all "give a reason for the hope that is in us"

But is there are more holy way deserving of salvation? (christianity principles of monogamy were praised even in the OT but is not commanded)

So what is the point of morality if faith is not certain. Even St Paul said "we are of all men the most pitiable" if we are wrong but we can believe by faith we are right
also St Paul said we will be judged by our conscience
that is not taught in traditional christianity so there is no point bringing that up

I sense a moral epidemic (i.e immorality) just because we want to insist that only through believing in Jesus we can be saved. So it seems you are against the Way of the Master type preaching (but they may give good answers I have not seen many of the shows for a while) but this fear could come from the devil (that offending people might turn people from God) but is why I lean towards salvation for all types of people (because that fear controls me) who have not been shown the light

you could be turning away people who are suffering from periods of doubt. I do not judge you I hope for the best for you just as I do for me I know God is forgiving of our past

I just feel you had opened up a can noone wants to deal with

Let us stop filling the description
"load burdens hard to bear and do not move them with one of our fingers"

that is christians who are not sensitive to struggles of weak people

God wanted Cornelius to know the full truth that he may help others also. And it is hotly debated if he would have ever been saved if he did not convert perhaps but he was in a time of miracles which we have to ask if we are also in today and I think there is a great chance we are

Everyone has a conscience that showing no mercy to the very needy is wrong

I however believe in God's justice and I don't believe as most christians do perhaps but am fully convinced that my Jesus has not given up on me (understanding scripture differently) but maybe I should according to people here

 

[homeofmew]

1. Christianity is a religion it assumes that Jesus is God in Flesh.
There are even many different sects of Christianity which all of them love downplaying the other. Many say that Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus and God.
This is the biggest lie I ever heard, Christians sell of Church and tithing to the church, and "you'd be a better person if you do X scheme". People who actually think it's a personal relationship won't get tied up in the drama lama and gossip that is church.

In the end after we ate from the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, we all have thought patterns on what we think is right and wrong. I may even go so far as to say certain things of right and wrong change culture to culture.
Personally I still think if one's daughter is raped it's wrong to sell her off, but was condoned in the OT. But of course they had a different society.

As for the poster above me, Christianity teaches hope, there's nothing wrong with hope, and "God interventions" may still happen (medically that is). All I am saying is that you can't know for sure who's right, even among the Christian sects. For example Catholicism and the supposed miracles of mary. According to many Chirstians the anti christ will also perform miracles and claim to be god.

Also yes there is a moral dilemma in Christianity , I think it's unfair, certain groups of people from certain time periods go to hell because they lived before Jesus and were not Jewish. There was no internet and TV back them.

 

[christiantruth1334]

God does not condemn the one who was raped or charge her with any sin or find her unclean

Deuteronomy 22:27
New King James Version (NKJV)
27 For he found her in the countryside, and the betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.

 

[christiantruth1334]

who is the main antichrist but he who truly does not like to praise Jesus as God?

the antichrist will seek to change God's morals and will be a tyrant

and who will truly accept him but those who did not have love for the truth that they might be saved
but Jesus even says if possible he will even deceive the elect. If we are lucky to get out of that net by prayer we will not be deceived yet I think God still loves us if we are faithful to what we know and are seeking to get out of that net
However we must not accept him
A tree is known by its fruit. The elect will feel uncomfortable about him and can not accept him "only perplexed but not in despair"

 

[MercyandFaith]

You don't know because Christianity is not a religion.

People like to say this, but it's really just a form of word nit-picking.

 

[homeofmew]

Deuteronomy 22:27 talks about consensual sex between unmarried persons
= Sex Outside of Marriage ok
Leviticus 21:13 does not it speaks of rape.
= Rape a Woman and the Rapist has to buy her.