What did Christians originally believe in?

Answer 1

The best way I can answer this question in a few words is this. Early Christians believed in the teachings of Jesus. This included the belief that God's kingdom under Jesus would free mankind from Satan's influence and bring man back to a good relationship with God.They were thus neutral in political conflicts, avoided involvement in warfare, and focused on preaching about this kingdom as did Jesus and his followers.

Answer 2

There are certainly some differences between the early epistles and the gospels, meaning that there must always be some doubt as to what the earliest Christians believed. Modern Christian belief is based almost totally on the four New Testament gospels and on Acts of the Apostles, but the first gospel, now known as Mark's Gospel, was written approximately 70 CE, so there were several decades in which our only New Testament record is found in the epistles of Paul and the Book of Hebrews.

Scholars have noted that Paul seems to have believed that the resurrection of Jesus was purely spiritual. Mark's Gospel may confirm this, because it originally ended at verse 16:8, with the young man telling the women that Jesus was risen and they fled in terror, telling no one. In other words, the resurrection mentioned by the young man could also be read as spiritual, although in this case the body is missing. The non-canonical Gospel of Thomas may be a little earlier than Mark, and also makes no mention of the resurrection.

A number of scholars are looking for evidence of the 'historical Jesus' in an effort to establish what the very earliest, pre-gospel Christians believed.

Answer 3

Matthew 5:17Contemporary English Version (CEV)The Law of Moses17 Don't suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets.[a] I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.

Footnotes:

1. 5.17 the Law and the Prophets: The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.

In accordance with God's plan to save mankind, Jesus came to reveal the Father who was previously unknown, give the full spiritual intent of the Law of God, and tell all the Father wants each of us to repent and follow the ways of His Son:

Mark 1:15New American Standard Bible (NASB)15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [a]is at hand; repent and [b]believe in the gospel.Footnotes:

1. Mark 1:15 Lit has come near
2. Mark 1:15 Or put your trust in

The early Church of God followed the full example of Jesus who is the only Way:

John 13:15New American Standard Bible (NASB)15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.


Some of the things the new Christians believe in are: the Sabbath day (7th day from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) rest as Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath; the followed the Dietary Laws in Leviticus; the kept the 7 Annual Sabbaths which reflect God's Plan for Mankind's Salvation beginning with the torture and death of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. The confessed their sins through the only Mediator between mankind and the Father, Jesus Christ. And all the instructions of the entire Bible.