How can all religions believe the same?
Introduction. The thinking that religious division is good is diametrically opposed to the scriptures. Jesus prayed his followers would be one in order, "that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17: 21). One common attempted justification for infidelity today is "How do religionists expect me to believe when they cannot even agree!"
Accept the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the very essence of pristine Christianity. Jesus said, "... for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8: 24, KJV). However, we can not accept the person of Jesus without possessing knowledge of Him. What was His origin, did He exist before His incarnation, what is His mission, why did He die, was He really the Son of God, did He resurrect, is He presently reigning, is He coming again, and what did He teach, are all pertinent questions. How can we know the necessary answers to these questions?
The only way all can be one is by accepting the Bible as God's source of belief and ultimate authority. Relative to the person, nature, mission, and teaching of Jesus, how can two or more agree unless they look to the same book, the Bible, for their answers? The Bible tells us about Jesus' church. (Matt. 16: 18, 19; Acts 5: 11, etc.) If two or more accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus' church, they are believing the same in this matter. If two agree to simply accept the Bible in its totality, then they shall believe the same in all essential areas, it is just that simple!
Conclusion. The Bible purports to be our only source of belief (see 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; John 20: 30, 31; Eph. 3: 1-7). We are to prove all things and hold fast the truth (1 Thes. 5: 21). Let us renounce all human creeds, prejudice, and party loyalty and simply accept and practice the bible - unity, true unity, will result.
Accept the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the very essence of pristine Christianity. Jesus said, "... for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8: 24, KJV). However, we can not accept the person of Jesus without possessing knowledge of Him. What was His origin, did He exist before His incarnation, what is His mission, why did He die, was He really the Son of God, did He resurrect, is He presently reigning, is He coming again, and what did He teach, are all pertinent questions. How can we know the necessary answers to these questions?
The only way all can be one is by accepting the Bible as God's source of belief and ultimate authority. Relative to the person, nature, mission, and teaching of Jesus, how can two or more agree unless they look to the same book, the Bible, for their answers? The Bible tells us about Jesus' church. (Matt. 16: 18, 19; Acts 5: 11, etc.) If two or more accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus' church, they are believing the same in this matter. If two agree to simply accept the Bible in its totality, then they shall believe the same in all essential areas, it is just that simple!
Conclusion. The Bible purports to be our only source of belief (see 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; John 20: 30, 31; Eph. 3: 1-7). We are to prove all things and hold fast the truth (1 Thes. 5: 21). Let us renounce all human creeds, prejudice, and party loyalty and simply accept and practice the bible - unity, true unity, will result.