Beth-El Baptist Church

01/22/2012

Greg Tomlinson


Isn't Christianity just like any other religion?


Whether it comes from someone thinking that all religions are basically the same and equally valid or from those who seek to unite all faiths or those to reject all forms of religion, people will claim that all religions are essentially the same. There are some who will claim that while the end result of all religions are the same that one religion just happens to be better than the others. It is important for Christians (and non-Christians) to understand the truth regarding the uniqueness of Christianity.


  1. What is the foundational principle(s) of other religions?

Proverbs 20:6; 21:2-3 2 Corinthians 10:12

Proverbs 14:14 Romans 1:28-32; 4:4; 10:3

Deuteronomy 12:8 Judges 17:6; 21:25


The foundational principle of non-Christian religions is that either everyone is naturally good and are therefore accepted or that every individual must accomplish sufficient good works to pay off his own debt before God. In either case, the merit for being in the presence of God is based upon the individual.


  1. What is the foundational principle(s) of Christianity?

Genesis 1:26-27 Ephesians 2:1-3, 13-19

Philippians 3:8-9 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Romans 4:25; 5:1-2


The foundational principles of Christianity is that man was originally created in the image and likeness of God – indicating that we are to be like Him. As a result of the sin of Adam, every human being is functionally dead – with respect to knowing, understanding, and responding to God. The only hope that man has is for God to reach down to man to rescue him. This God did through the sending of Jesus Christ His Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for sin so that we might be able to be accepted by God.


  1. What are some significant differences of Christianity?

John 14:6 Acts 4:10-12

Romans 7:7-13; 8:3-4 2 Corinthians 3:6

Galatians 3:21-22 John 3:36


The only possible way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus Christ. No other faith system or religious system will accomplish a right relationship with God. Furthermore, it is impossible to be right with God through obeying any written or spoken commandments, statutes, or laws. The statutes and laws only function to expose sin and thus condemn every human being as rightly deserving the eternal judgment of God.


  1. Why is Christianity so narrow?

Matthew 7:13-14 Romans 8:3-4; 10:3-4

John 3:36 Colossians 1:12-15


Christianity is so narrow because, God (Jesus Christ) said so. In order to understand this, it is only through the person and the work of Jesus Christ where God can maintain his perfect justice by condemning sin for all eternity to the lake of fire (hell) while at the same time demonstrating His divine mercy and grace. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God has His need for perfect justice satisfied – the debt of sin has been paid – and at the same time, the great sinfulness of man can be forgiven.