More Than “Religion”
As the Bible addresses your needs, do you sense the importance of relationship? We find God’s wonderful riches “in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
Some people see Christianity as another “religion.” But the word “religion” is rare in the Bible. The two times where it applies to Christianity, “religion” is shown to be worthless if it does not care for needy people (1 Timothy 5:4; James 1:26–27). The Bible calls to you. This call is to meet a Person, not just plans or ideas. This call emphasizes relationships, not religious acts. Indeed, the main rules have to do with love, first for God and then for each other (Mark 12:30-31).
Sadly, some judge Christ without knowing Him. They have heard about Him, which may include bad reports:
- Wars, cruelty and crimes committed in His name
- Hard rules imposed in His name
- So-called “miracles” claimed in His name
- Pretenders who cover up their lies in His name
- Leaders who get rich and powerful in His name
- Supposedly “Christian” governments and nations that do wrong
Such evils are the exact opposite of Jesus’ life and teaching. Jesus and His messengers, called apostles, warned that enemies would give Christ’s way a bad name (give it a bad reputation).
There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies [hurtful lies], even denying the Master who bought them … And many will follow their sensuality [shameful ways], and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed [cursed] (2 Peter 2:1–2).
The Way of Truth
Peter shows that he follows “the way of truth” given by Jesus. He warns against “shameful ways” from oth-ers. They claim His name, but they are enemies who work against Him (Matthew 7:15–23; 13:24–30, 36–43; 24:24). They twist and change Christianity for their own selfish purposes (2 Timothy 3:5; 4:3–4).
How can we tell the difference between “the way of truth” and false ways? Here is the greatest value of the Bible: It describes the Way from the beginning. It keeps that truth safe for all future ages. From this original record we can know the true Jesus. We can learn the Christianity that Jesus created and continues.
The key is the Bible. That is why we invite you into the Bible experience. In these World Bible School courses, all graded questions come from the Scriptures themselves. The Word of God is the pure source—the unique, reliable and respected record of Jesus and His Way. Man-made rules and divisions came later, and they turned into many muddied streams about Christianity. You will not be tested on those or anyone else’s opinions. Rather, we aim to go back to the clear source that flows from God Himself. We seek the real Jesus. We want to learn His Way as He first revealed it. If you share that desire, join us on a journey into the heart of the Good News.