Many Americans, of course, claim to be Christians. This certainly is not news. What is new is that Barna found that only 6% of those claiming to be believers in Christ actually hold to Bible-based beliefs.

Not believing what the Bible says a Christian should believe is like saying you are a fish just because you went swimming. Saying such a thing is ridiculous – yet it is happening. Just as certain things are believed if you belong to a certain political party, or work in a specific field, or are on a sports team, the same is true of being a Christian. The Bible teaches that there are specific things that must be believed.

Some of the basic beliefs are even necessary for salvation. Not understanding these basic doctrines (what the Bible teaches) means – according to the Bible – that you are not saved.

Although there certainly are many flavors of Christianity these days, Christ’s faithful declarations of God’s truth are not available on a take it or leave it basis. The Word of God – the Bible – is eternal and God said that He would protect it and keep it through all ages. This is necessary because He wants people everywhere to know how to go to Heaven and to know Him personally.

It also needs to be mentioned that Jesus plainly said that the Word of God will be the basis of how He will judge in the future. In John 12:48, Jesus said: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him the last day.“ Since you are going to be judged by it, shouldn’t you know more about it?

In the next several blog posts, I will begin to discuss the basic teachings of the Bible and salvation. I hope and pray that they will be beneficial to you. Everything will be based solely on the Word of God. Have you ever wondered about where you got your beliefs – or have you simply assumed that they are in the Bible somewhere?