What do Christians actually believe?

One part of the clearing, crying out to be explored, is that, having become convinced that Jesus is Who He said He is and that the Bible is reliable, what are the beliefs which follow from that and why?

I am aware that there are differences in belief and practice between different Christian traditions and that the branch of Christianity in which I was brought up is not typical of the Church as a whole. So why do I believe in the version of Christianity which I do and not another? How different in the important things are they anyway?

The Cosmic picture

Most traditions are agreed on the overarching view of Heaven and Earth and Humanity.

1. In the beginning, God Created All Things Good

In the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth and everything in it as an act of love and it was declared “very good”.
The universe is not accidental but purposeful. It is a reflection of God’s wisdom and beauty and was created in order to share in God’s life and to glorify Him.
God created Humanity in His own image. He breathed His Spirit into them and gave them the gift of free will and creativity. They were intended to be stewards of Creation, to “tend the garden” and to have a close and harmonious relationship with God.

2. Sin Fractured the Harmony of Creation

Humans chose to disobey God and, as a result, sin and death entered the world.
The image of God in us was wounded and our relationship with God and one another distorted, Creation itself was subjected to decay.
As we can see all around us, and in us, evil now touches every part of the cosmos — moral, relational, and natural. (Rom 8:20-22)
Nevertheless, the divine image remains, and God in His love consistently calls creation back to Himself and toward healing, reconciliation and restoration.

3. Christ Has Redeemed the World

In Jesus Christ, God Himself entered creation to defeat sin, death, and the powers of evil.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, He reconciled all things to Himself and began the renewal of the cosmos. (Col 1:20)
Christ heals what was corrupted, satisfies what was lacking, redeems what is enslaved and defeats the Powers of Evil and Death.
The vast majority of Christian traditions affirm that each individual has the freedom to accept or reject the salvation which Jesus offers. All who choose to accept and to follow Jesus will be saved. All who knowingly reject salvation will be eternally separated from God and His Kingdom.

4. God Will Renew All Things in Christ

The story moves toward cosmic renewal, of Humanity and the whole of Creation.
When Christ returns, He will raise the dead, judge with justice, and make all things new: There will be a new heaven and a new earth filled with His presence. (Isa 65, Rev 21).
Humanity’s redemption is the first fruit of this transformation; creation itself will share in the freedom of the children of God.
All Humans who chose to be a part of God’s Kingdom on the New Earth will be enabled to do so and they will reign with Him as the culmination of what was intended in the beginning.

The Gospel

The Gospel, or Good News, is that Jesus Christ is Lord, He has won the battle against the Powers of death, sin and evil so that creation , including humanity, are set free from them.
The language is that of Empire and liberation.
Imagine being born in an oppressive and corrupt empire where freedom was severely limited. Then a liberating force wins a decisive battle against the ruler of the empire and starts a policy of restoration and liberty.
As soon as the battle is over, heralds are sent throughout the Empire to announce the “good news” that the oppressors have been defeated and the people are no longer subject to them.
Nevertheless, it takes time for the effects on the battle field to be felt in all parts of the defeated Empire. It is still a hope, albeit a certain hope, for the future.
In the mean time, the people are called to prepare for the time when the victorious King will claim His Kingdom and to be ready to welcome Him.
Jesus Christ won the battle on the cross and by His resurrection. His followers are called to proclaim the Good News throughout the Earth and to prepare for the time when He will return to reign with His people.

What does this mean for us now as individuals?

1. We are all in need of Salvation

We have been born into a Humanity which is wounded by sin and death and needs reconciliation with God.
We cannot heal ourselves; we need God’s help.
All Christian traditions agree that humanity is in need of healing, forgiveness and restoration and that Jesus Christ is God’s way of providing it.

2. Jesus Christ is God’s unique gift for our salvation.

We are in need of Salvation and Jesus alone is the Saviour.
He is able to do this because He is fully God and also fully human as set out in the Nicene Creed which is affirmed by most Christian traditions.
Christ’s work is multifaceted and includes His sacrificial death on the cross, His victory over sin and death as shown by His resurrection, and renewal.

3. Personal Reception of Christ.

All traditions affirm a personal response is essential although most believe that this is not sufficient.
God’s initiative always comes first. His mercy and grace always come before our response. (1 John 4:19).

5. Baptism

Baptism is central across traditions as the initiation rite into becoming a follower of Jesus and being saved.
Some see it as an essential step by which the grace of Salvation is conveyed, others see it as a sign of obedience and public identification with Christ.
All traditions affirm that, in particular circumstances, God can save outside of baptism.

6. Ongoing Growth (Sanctification / Theosis)

All traditions affirm the need for a life-long spiritual journey of which a personal response to Jesus is just the first step. God calls us to grow in holiness, to become more like Him.
Divine grace and human response work together in the ongoing shaping of the believer into Christ’s likeness.
Different traditions have different emphases on the way the Christian life is nurtured.

7. Final Union with God.

All traditions affirm that those who persevere in Christ will be raised from the dead and share God’s glory forever.
Different language is used in different traditions. (Theosis, Beatific Vision, Glorification).
Though the vocabulary differs, the shared hope is eternal union with God in love.