Introduction
Christianity is a belief system based upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. And no, Christ is not Jesus’ surname, the word “christ” means anointed one. The word “Christian” only shows up three times in the Bible: In Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. The first time it was used, it was actually meant as an insult. People in Antioch mocked Jesus’ followers by calling them “Christians.” The name wasn’t about what they believed or how they lived, it was about who they followed. They were known because of their connection to Jesus Christ.
The power of Christianity comes from the fact that its first followers were absolutely sure that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. They saw Him, touched Him, and even ate with Him. That belief shaped everything they did. They were so convinced that He was alive that they wanted to serve Him no matter what, even if it meant dying for Him.
But the real heart of Christianity wasn’t just belief, it was experience. Jesus wasn’t just a historical figure to them, He lived in their hearts. They felt His presence, talked about Him constantly, and shared His message everywhere. That’s what made the early church so strong. Not buildings, rituals, or traditions, but a real relationship with an amazing Person, Jesus Christ.
Because Christ lived in them, the first Christians were inspired to share His message in the powerful writings we now call the New Testament. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they wrote a supernatural book that none of them could have written on their own. That’s why Christianity is the foundation of this life-changing book.
At its core, Christianity is about Jesus, from the moment someone is saved until the day they meet Him face-to-face. Even in death, Christians have hope because they know they’ll be with Him forever.
Who Is Faith Nuggets For?
Faith Nuggets is for people who’ve heard about Christianity but want to understand it better. Maybe you’re curious, or maybe you’ve heard wrong ideas about it. Today, many people have a wrong idea of Christianity. Sometimes the media twists the picture. Sometimes it’s because of people who call themselves Christians but don’t live like it. Other times it’s because of flashy televangelists who seem more focused on money, healing shows, or emotional hype than on Jesus Himself.
Our aim with our “Basics” section is to cut through the confusion and explains what Christianity is in a clear and consistent way. It helps believers know what they believe so they can answer questions like the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to explain the hope you have in Christ”
Next Steps
Since Christianity is all about the person, Jesus Christ, we will continue to the next section by looking at an introduction “About Jesus“. Each section thereafter will builds on that until the final section where we will talk “About Salvation”
Our hope is that these sections helps you trust the Bible more, love Jesus deeper, and share your faith with confidence.
If you found these sections informative and you are new to Christianity, we would highly recommend you start with the first course after reading this, Welcome to the Family, which will elaborate more on the core principles of Christianity.
From the beginning, followers of Jesus Christ have been called Christians. They weren't primarily known for their doctrine or for the things they were against. These are secondary qualities. Christians are known for their relationship to Jesus Christ.