Relationship

More Than "Religion"

As the Bible addresses your needs, do you sense the importance of relationship? We find God's glorious riches "in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Some people view Christianity as another "religion." But the word "religion" is rare in the Bible. 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 rituals. 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
• Harsh rules imposed in His name
• So-called "miracles" claimed in His name
• Hypocrites 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 apostles warned that enemies would give Christ's way a bad name (bring it into "disrepute").

There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies [hurtful lies], even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them. . . . Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute (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 others. 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).
There may seem to be many roads, but in reality they come down to two choices.
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