Is Christianity universal

Answer 1

True Christianity is not universal. Some people preach that it does not matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere. Other religions are comfortable with a thought of Christ being equal or among their gods or prophets. Monotheism indicates belief in only one God. While Judaism & Islam reject Jesus Christ being equal with God the Father, Jesus Himself claimed to be so.

Christ also said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. That is totally exclusive of belief & trust in other gods. It also indicates that, as the Scripture maintains elsewhere, that He is God come in the flesh. Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14 saying: "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," then giving this comment: "which (name) being interpreted is, God with us."

John the Apostle begins his Gospel (John 1:1): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (Some have tampered with the Greek text, adding the article "a", to render this: "the Word was a god." Yet that is not in the 6000 Byzantine manuscripts existing of the careful copying of the New Testament.) John 1:14 then says, "And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." [The parenthesis in in the original verse.]

This equality of Christ with God the Father is consistent throughout Scripture. Genesis 1:26: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." [Emphasis added to indicate the plurality of the Godhead.] The name of Elohim for God is a plural noun. Isaiah 9:6 declares: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given ( very much received as referring to Jesus Christ): and the government hall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of Peace." [Emphasis added]

While Jesus Himself claimed in John 10:30: "I and the Father are one," the Jews knew that His position was that "thou, being a man, makest thyself God." (v.33) So, they sought to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Yet in Philippians 2:6-8 it maintains of Christ: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made of Himself of no reputation (poor carpenter), and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion (Greek: outward appearance) as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross."

In Colossians 1, it shows us that Christ is the eternal creator God (verses 14-17), while in v. 19 it tells us, "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." Then in chapter 2, v.9, it says: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

Jesus claimed to be God and the Scripture maintains this. As god the Son, He said that He is the only way to the Father in Heaven. The Apostle Peter said in Acts 4:12: "Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven.

This makes Christianity exclusive of any other way, not universal.

Yes, Christianity is universal even though it is not the major religion in some parts of the world. Every country has Christians living in it.

God created heaven and earth. He gave all authority in heaven and on earth to His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the sole authority in Christianity. If this is true then Christianity is most certainly universal.

Clarification of Terms:Please see the Discussion page & the Question link for clarification of the term "universal" in this context.

According to Jesus, to whom the religion was founded, his teachings are only to the "lost sheep of Israel", therefore not universal.

I quote;

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:5-6.

I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 1524.

Consideration:Consider in Christ's High Priestly prayer after He prayed for His disciples, in John 17:20: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word."

Then in Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs His disciples: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost (Spirit) is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria (half Jewish people), and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (speaking to believers). For as many of you as have been baptized (spiritually: immersed) into Christ have put on Christ (clothed in Him). There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond (slave) nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26-28

There is a universality as true Christians, but not of the whole world. One has to believe in Christ, to be part of the family of God.