Christianity According to the Bible
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Christianity According to the Bible is a Christian apologetic book by popular Bible scholar Dr Ron Rhodes. The book seeks to explain Christian doctrines using passages from the Bible and covers topics such as hermeneutics, angels, human salvation, God, and eschatology.
[edit] Salvation
According to Christianity According to the Bible, a person's salvation is given by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Rhodes quotes Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:20, and Galatians 2:16. Repentance is viewed as necessary also, insomuch that repentance means changing one's mind about Christ (from unbelief to belief). According to Rhodes, Christians do not have to follow the Mosaic Law anymore, holding that the Law served as a teacher, to bring us to Christ, quoting Galatians 3:24-25 and Romans 10:4. Rhodes also believes that baptism is not a condition for salvation. To support this argument he uses the example of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43), who was promised salvation without water baptism, Cornelius in Acts 10, who was clearly saved prior to baptism in water, and 1 Corinthians 1:17, where Paul said "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel." Rhodes argues if baptism was necessary for salvation, surely Christ would have commanded Paul to do so? Ultimately baptism is merely a symbol of the believer's new life in Christ.
Rhodes also views salvation as eternal. According to his work, Christians are secure in their salvation, citing Romans 8:28-30, Hebrews 7:25 and 12:4-11, Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30, and John 10:28-30, 1 Peter 1:9.
[edit] God
In Christianity According to the Bible, the God of Christian Scripture is seen as the only true God. God is viewed as a living spirit, existing in the Persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God's names are used to describe His various attributes; Yahweh refers to His eternal existence; Elohim as His strength; El Shaddai as His compassion; and the Lord of Hosts as His sovereignty and King of an army of angels. According to Rhodes, God is transcendent and immanent. God is also Love, ominipresent, All-knowing, all-powerful, holy, just, and Triune.
