| Over the centuries Christianity has grown | | | | 2:1, 2:2 (NCV) which says, "But if anyone does sin, |
| immensely in popularity. I feel that why this has | | | | we have a helper in the presence of the |
| come to pass is because it is the only religious | | | | Father-Jesus Christ, the One who is right. He is |
| doctrine that is based solely on us praying in the | | | | the way our sins are taken away, and not only |
| name of Jesus to God to ask forgiveness for our | | | | our sins but the sins of all people." In my mindset |
| sins, and forgiveness being granted by God. In | | | | only the New Testament of Christianity offers |
| John 14:5-6 (NKJV) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, | | | | mankind the only feasible alternative. |
| we do not know where You are going, and how | | | | The unique posture that Jesus Christ offers |
| can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am | | | | mankind in the New Testament of Bible is His |
| the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to | | | | covenant that He made with God, and is |
| the Father except through Me." These two | | | | expressed by Jesus at the Last Supper, in the |
| passages clearly instruct each of us to ask | | | | New Testament in Luke 22:19, 20 (NCV). Then |
| forgiveness of our sins in Jesus name. | | | | Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it, |
| Our Father in Heaven knew that no matter how | | | | and gave it to the apostles, saying, "This is my |
| hard mankind tried, because of our imperfections, | | | | body, which I am giving for you. Do this to |
| we would always be sinners; and sinners are not | | | | remember me." In the same way, after supper, |
| permitted to enter His kingdom in heaven. In the | | | | Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new |
| Old Testament we can read how mankind, in | | | | agreement that God makes with His people. This |
| general, kept falling short of God's | | | | new agreement begins with my blood which is |
| commandments, and how even when led by | | | | poured out for you." From this point forward |
| Moses, the people had weak days and could not | | | | Christianity was born, and mankind truly had the |
| sustain these commandments of the Living God | | | | way to enter heaven. |
| on a continual basis. My conception of the Old | | | | Jesus, during His crucifixion, said in Luke 23:34 |
| Testament and other major religions portray to | | | | (KJV), "Father, forgive them, for they do not |
| me that they are works based. God bridged this | | | | know what they do". Alone, this selfless |
| gap from the works based type in one sole act. | | | | statement by Jesus, thinking only about us, in His |
| He sent forth to earth His Son for all of mankind. | | | | ultimate anguish and pain of taking on all on the |
| This is best summarized by Jesus' disciple John in | | | | mankind's sins past, present and future during the |
| the New Testament; John 3:16 (KJV) which says, | | | | crucifixion portrays the truest love that He had |
| "God so loved the world that He gave His only | | | | for all of mankind, and set the example for His |
| begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him | | | | Father's second greatest commandment, "Love |
| should not perish but have everlasting life." This is | | | | your neighbor as you love yourself. |
| also reinforced by The New Testament in 1 John | | | | |