Answers to questions about life, religion and the Bible
God Without Jesus?
Dear Father Paul: I am a 15-year-old girl and a Christian. My best friend and I have had some long discussions on religion from time-to-time. I say that you must believe in both God and Jesus to be a Christian and go to heaven. She says that she believes in God, but isn’t so sure about Jesus. One time she told me that she didn’t want people to think she was some kind of “religious fanatic.” Can you help me with some truths to share with her please? — No Name.
Dear No Name: Millions of people are like your friend. Ask them, “Do you believe in God,” and they will firmly say something like, “Yes, of course I do.”
Recent polls indicate that well over 80 percent of all Americans are in this group. But when you start to talk to them about Jesus and what God says in the Bible about what is required to go to heaven, they often begin to waffle. If you ask them directly, “Was and is Jesus Christ God in fleshly form come to earth to redeem a lost and dieing humanity from death and hell, and is he the only way to eternal life in heaven?” many, like your friend, will say, “I’m not so sure about that.”
Fortunately, we are not left alone without clear evidence and guidance from God himself in these matters. God speaks to us through his written word … The Holy Bible. The Bible is truly an awesome, miraculous book … unique and unlike any other. Consisting of 66 separate books, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible was written by over 40 different authors most of whom never met each other. The authors were from three different continents. They wrote over a span of about 1,600 years, and in three distinct and different languages. Considering the above facts about the Bible, it is nothing less than amazing that every single one of the 66 books of the Bible carries the very same basic theme … the redemption of mankind by God. Equally amazing, every single one of the Bible’s sixty-six books mentions Jesus Christ in some form or fashion at least once. Check out the proof of this for yourself at www.jesusplusnothing.com … click on “Jesus In The Bible.” Truly the Bible has stood the test of time for over 2,000 years. It can be depended upon historically, spiritually, scientifically, archaeologically and prophetically.
Given this, here are some things the Bible says about your question, “Do people have to believe in both God and Jesus?”
First … The Bible answers this question by declaring firmly that believing only in God is not, all by itself, enough. James 2:19 (New International Version) says this: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that … and shudder.” The message is clear. Believing in God is a good thing, but even demons (Satan’s messengers) believe in God, and there is no way that they are going to heaven! So then what else is required?
Second … Jesus himself, about to go to the cross and die, speaks to people who believe in God alone, but not also in him, when he says in John 14:1 (New International Version) “You believe in God; believe also in me.” He goes on to speak about the eternal dwelling place where he is about to go and prepare for those who love and believe in him.
Lastly … Jesus makes it unmistakably clear that there is only one way to God the Father and that way is through him. Jesus says in John 14 verse 6 … (New International Version) “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (emphasis mine)
Here’s the bottom line. God, in his great love for mankind, has provided one, but only one, way through which sin and death can be turned into forgiveness and life, that darkness can be turned into light and that the grave and hell can be turned into eternal life in heaven with God simply by confessing and believing in his son, Jesus. That’s the simple yet profound “Good News” of the gospel.
Do you have a question? Email it to me at paulmassey@earthlink.net and I will try to answer your question in the paper.
Father Paul Massey is pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. Have you been away from God and his church for a long time? God’s loving welcome awaits you at Church of the Holy Cross. Visit www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.comfor information.
