Investigating Christianity
At All Saints we’re convinced that the news about Jesus is good news for everyone. Whether you see yourself as a spiritual person or a complete sceptic, we’d love to help you investigate Jesus’ claims and make your own informed decision.
We regularly run short courses such as Alpha and Introducing God which are specially designed for people investigating Christianity to discover the essentials. But all through the year we’re keen to meet curious visitors and start a conversation.
If you want to know the difference Jesus makes and how to become a Christian, then keep reading! We’d love to know what you think.
INVESTIGATING CHRISTIANITY
What does the Bible say about you?
- You Matter
We often think that the people who really matter are those with beauty, wealth and success, and are those who contribute to society. We measure our own worth by comparing ourselves with others.
But the Bible says you already matter more than you think. God created everyone ‘in his image’ (Genesis 1:27-28), which means we are all precious in God’s eyes. We have equal worth and dignity whether we’re rich or poor, young or old, male or female, Italian or Indian.
- Your Actions Really Matter
If everyone matters, then how we treat each other matters. We were made to live in harmony with all people, but we don’t treat others like they have infinite worth. And because we’re made in God’s image and we’re precious, Jesus can say that the way we treat each other reflects how we treat God (Matthew 25:31-46). We fail to love others, and we fail to love God. We fail to live up to our own standards, and we fail to live up to God’s higher standards.
‘For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard’ (Romans 3:23).
- Your Eternity Matters
We were made to live in harmony with each other and God forever, but by failing as humans, by pushing the living God out of the picture, death has entered into the picture. And it’s clear from human experience that death is an unwelcomed guest – deep down we yearn for eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
The good news is that, even whilst turning our backs on God and sentencing ourselves to death, we haven’t lost our value in His eyes. We still matter. He loves us more than we know!
‘This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might livethrough him’ (1 John 4:9).
Jesus lived to perfect life – loving all and loving God. He lived the life we could never live, and by dying the cross, he offers us life. He dies the death we deserve, and we are gifted the life he deserves (Romans 6:23).
- Your Response Matters
‘God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead’ (Acts 17:30-31).
‘If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved’ (Romans 10:9)
Christianity is cry for people to have a restored relationship with God; a relationship we broke and could do nothing to restore, and a relationship God went to extraordinary lengths to restore. Will you accept God’s love – his mercy and forgiveness? Will you be reconciled to God?
Christianity is not about doing enough good to cancel out the bad we’ve done. It’s about admitting our sin and accepting God’s mercy (Luke 18:9-14).
‘Jesus is like the responsible older brother who speaks up for you when you get into trouble with mum or dad. He’s like the best friend who pays the fine to get you out of jail. Jesus is like the hero who takes the bullet for you’. A. Moody
- Your Love Matters
‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:35).
‘Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us’ (1 John 4:11).
Loving each other isn’t easy, and it’s impossible if we don’t know each other.
A restored relationship with God means receiving the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God in our most inner being. He is with us to help and guide us through the ups and downs of life (John 14:15-27), and seals our adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:14-16).
Church is family, we’re brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11). It’s not a club, it doesn’t exist for our entertainment (phew!) and it’s not an optional extra. It’s God’s eternal family! We meet to spur each other on to the life of love we’ve been called to (Hebrews 10:25). We don’t always get it right, but we don’t give up.
That was brief, but maybe you are convinced! Do you want this new life with God that Jesus has made possible? If so, here’s a prayer to get you started. There’s nothing magical or special about these words, but it’s the sort of prayer that someone who genuinely wants to become a Christian would pray.
Dear God,
Thank you for creating me. Thank you that I am precious in your eyes, no matter what! I’m sorry for not treating others as they deserve, and in my mind, heart and life pushing you out of the picture. Thank you for Jesus! Thankyou that in love and through great sacrifice, he has restored me to you. I want to have a new life with him. Please help me to live for you, to love in such a way that others see your love. Please help me to find my place amongst his people.
Amen.
What Next?
If you prayed that prayer and meant it then you’ve been completely forgiven! You’re relationship with God has been restored and nothing can change that (Romans 8:38-39).
As Jesus said:
‘I assure you, anyone who hears what I say and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life. They will not be judged guilty. They have already left death and have entered into life’. (John 5:24).
We’d love to know that you’ve made this amazing, life-changing, decision, and would love to encourage you going forward on this journey!