The Origins of Christianity: The One True God and His Promise

The One True God: The Foundation of Monotheism

In the beginning, there was only one God—Jehovah (YHWH), the Creator of heaven and earth, the Almighty who brought everything into existence. Unlike the polytheistic religions of the ancient world, where gods were limited, flawed, and bound to specific nations, Jehovah is supreme, eternal, and sovereign over all creation.

Genesis 1:1 declares: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational truth sets the stage for all of human history. The one true God is not only the source of life but also the moral lawgiver who desires a relationship with His creation.

The Fall of Man: The Need for Redemption

Jehovah created humanity in His image, designed for a perfect relationship with Him. Adam and Eve, the first humans, lived in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where they experienced no pain, suffering, or separation from God. They were given one command: they could eat from any tree in the garden except for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17).

However, the serpent (identified in Christian tradition as Satan) deceived Eve, questioning God's command and enticing her with the promise that eating the forbidden fruit would make her "like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:4-5). She took the fruit and ate, giving some to Adam, who also ate. In that moment, their innocence was lost. Their eyes were opened, and they realized their nakedness—symbolizing their newfound awareness of sin and separation from God.

This act of disobedience brought consequences. God confronted Adam and Eve, and because they had broken His command, sin and death entered the world. The ground was cursed, pain and suffering became part of human existence, and Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:16-19, 23-24).

Despite this fall, Jehovah immediately set a plan in motion to redeem humanity. He promised that a future descendant—often referred to as the "seed of the woman"—would ultimately defeat the serpent and restore what was lost (Genesis 3:15). This promise set the foundation for the coming of the Messiah.

The Covenant with Abraham: The Birth of a Nation and a Promise

God chose a man named Abraham to establish a covenant—a divine agreement that would shape the course of history. This covenant was not only a promise of land and descendants but also a spiritual calling that would lead to the salvation of all nations.

Genesis 12:2-3 states: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

This covenant laid the foundation for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, it also pointed forward to a greater fulfillment beyond just a single nation—one that would encompass all people through a coming Messiah.

The Law and the Prophets: Foreshadowing the Messiah

Through Moses, God gave the Israelites the Law—a set of commandments that defined righteousness and separated them from other nations. However, the Law was never meant to be the final answer. The prophets repeatedly pointed to a future Redeemer who would restore not just Israel, but all of humanity.

Isaiah 53 vividly describes this coming figure: "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed."

This prophecy, written centuries before Jesus, foretold a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. The Jewish scriptures laid the groundwork for Christianity, predicting a Messiah who would not only be a king but also a sacrificial redeemer.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Promise

Christianity stands as the fulfillment of God's promises in the Old Testament. Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, lived a life that matched the prophecies: He performed miracles, taught with divine authority, and ultimately died and rose again as foretold.

• Born of a Virgin: Isaiah 7:14 – "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

• A Light to the Gentiles: Isaiah 42:6 – "I will make you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."

• The New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31 – "The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah."

Jesus declared, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17) His life, death, and resurrection completed the divine plan that began with Abraham.

The Divergence: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Judaism rejected Jesus as the Messiah, continuing to await another deliverer. Islam, while recognizing Jesus as a prophet, denied His divinity and crucifixion. Instead, Islam teaches that Muhammad is the final prophet and that the Quran is the ultimate revelation. Christianity, however, embraces Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan—the true continuation of the faith begun with Abraham.

Islam refers to God as Allah, which is the Arabic word for The God. While the Quran acknowledges biblical figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, its interpretation of their roles differs significantly from that of the Bible.

John 14:6 affirms: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Why Christianity is the True Fulfillment

Christianity is not a breakaway religion but the completion of God’s work throughout history. Jesus didn’t introduce a new faith; He fulfilled the promises given to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. The message of salvation, once given to Israel alone, was now extended to the entire world.

Galatians 3:29 states: "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

This is why Christianity stands as the fulfillment—not a deviation—of God's divine plan. The next part of this series will explore the historical evidence for Jesus’ life and teachings, examining how His impact forever changed the course of history.