Introduction

The term Christian first appears in Acts 11:26, where Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. In the Greek New Testament, the word appears only two other times: Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. By contrast, the modern term Christianity, commonly used to describe essential doctrines, does not appear in Scripture.[1]

Even so, the term is widely used—and just as widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Such misunderstandings can be found across a variety of Christian platforms. Having once embraced some of these misunderstandings myself, I write not merely from an academic standpoint but also from personal experience.[2] [3]

With that in mind, I humbly present this snapshot of Christianity—from eternity past to eternity future. It is my hope and prayer that the following pages will glorify God and provide you, the reader, with greater clarity concerning the essential doctrines of the Christian faith and how they apply to daily life.  

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 [1] The inspired, living, and powerful Scriptures—containing the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament—make the elect wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. They are also profitable for sound doctrine and thoroughly equip believers for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 4:12).

[2] Because I misunderstood the gospel, my self-righteous “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1) took the form of Lordship Salvation—a heretical system that combines the free gift of salvation (Romans 3:24) with the costly works of discipleship (Luke 14:25–33) and grounds assurance in works rather than in Christ Himself (Hebrews 12:2).

[3] Even after repenting of Lordship Salvation, I continued to hold to the doctrine of imputed righteousness—the idea that believers are imputed with the righteousness of Christ. However, it is God the Father who imputes His own righteousness to believers (Romans 4:5–6, 11, 22–25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).