This is a question that many people ask. With so many religions in the world, each claiming to be true, how can someone know which one is actually correct? This article will examine what the Bible has to say about this important topic.
The Bible Claims There is Only One True God
The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true God. Deuteronomy 6:4 states “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Isaiah 45:5 also declares “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.” The God of the Bible repeatedly affirms that He alone is the one true God. All other supposed “gods” are idols falsely made by human hands (Psalm 115:4-8).
This teaching has huge implications when examining world religions. Any religion that denies there is only one God must be false according to the Bible. Christianity firmly maintains there is only one true God, while Eastern religions like Hinduism teach there are many gods. Since these teachings contradict, both cannot be true at the same time.
Jesus Claimed to be God
Jesus taught that He was equal with God. In John 10:30 Jesus declared “I and the Father are one.” He used the personal name of God “I AM” to describe Himself in John 8:58. The Jewslistening recognized this as blasphemy, as claiming to be God (John 10:33). Jesus never corrected their conclusion, because it was true. He claimed powers like forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-7) and the ability to raise the dead (John 11:25) that only God has.
During His trial before the Jewish high priest Caiaphas, Jesus was placed under oath and asked if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus responded “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:63-64). This was a clear claim by Jesus to be the divine Messiah. Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders understood Jesus’ statement as blasphemy and worthy of death (Matthew 26:65-66).
Given Jesus’ clear teachings, Christianity must be correct or false based on the identity of Jesus. If Jesus really was God appearing in human form as He claimed, then Christianity must be true. If Jesus was not God, then He could only have been a fraud, liar or lunatic. There is no middle ground based on the claims Jesus made about His own identity.
Jesus Validated His Claims by Rising from the Dead
Jesus offered credibility to His assertions about His own identity by rising from the dead. He predicted His death and resurrection numerous times before being crucified (Mark 8:31, Matthew 12:40, John 2:19-22). After willingly giving His life on the cross, He physically rose from the grave three days later, leaving it empty (Matthew 28:1-10).
The early disciples went from hiding in fear after the crucifixion to boldly proclaiming Christ, willing to die for their testimony that they saw their resurrected Lord (Acts 4:18-20). These men claimed Jesus appeared to them physically after His resurrection, showing His crucifixion wounds (Luke 24:36-39). They spoke with and ate with the resurrected Christ (Luke 24:40-43).
Christianity spread rapidly in the early years because first-hand witnesses like the apostles shared their testimony that Jesus died on the cross but was proven to be the Son of God by being raised from the dead (Romans 1:3-4). Even skeptical historians agree that the early disciples believed they had seen the risen Jesus.
All Other Religions Lack Evidence
Christianity is unique in having a founder who claimed to be God, fulfilled prophecies to validate those claims, died on a cross, and then was resurrected from the dead three days later. No other religion has anything comparable to the resurrection, which provides historical evidence for the validity of Jesus’ claims.
Islam’s founder Muhammad did not claim to be God and is still dead and buried in Saudi Arabia. No historical evidence shows the Buddha or Krishna transcending death. Many New Age gurus also make divine claims, but do not validate those with historically verifiable miracles like the resurrection.
While Christianity has strong historical support and evidence, other religions lack proof for any supposed supernatural occurrences central to their faith. The evidence points to Jesus being who He claimed and rising from the dead, validating Him as the one true God. No other religion can make a comparable claim.
Believing in Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven
The Bible teaches that apart from believing in Jesus, there is no salvation. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The apostles taught that there is no other name except Jesus to call on for salvation (Acts 4:12).
There are not many roads to heaven. It is only through repentance from sin and faith in Jesus one can enter heaven. Without trusting in Christ’s sacrifice, people bear the penalty for their own sin against a holy God (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Salvation is found in Christ alone.
With the exclusivity of this claim, Christianity is often called narrow-minded. But Jesus Himself taught the narrow road alone leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14). All other religions besides Biblical Christianity teach people can somehow earn their way to heaven through human efforts. The Bible says oursinful attempts at earning salvation are useless and we can only be saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Gospel Produces Changed Lives
Believing the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to radically transform lives. When someone repents and believes on Christ, they are spiritually born again and the Holy Spirit comes to live within them (John 3:3-8, Romans 8:9-11). As they follow Christ, believers enjoy a close relationship with God and experience the supernatural power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Believers testify how Jesus sets people free from addiction, anger, depression, anxiety and fear. Churches provide support and accountability for believers to live out godly lives. Christianity is not just believing facts, but experiencing the power of God’s Spirit at work on a daily basis.
Other religions cannot offer a close spiritual relationship with God here and now. They do not have the Holy Spirit actively working in and through believers. Jesus promised peace, joy and life to the full that only He gives (John 15:10-11, 16:33). No other faith changes hearts and lives like following Jesus.
The Bible is Historically Reliable
The Bible did not spring up overnight, but its accounts were written soon after the events took place by eyewitnesses. The four gospels were written within a generation of Jesus’ life, while the New Testament was completed by the end of the first century. That makes the New Testament alone among ancient works in terms of how close the original dates to the events described.
There are far more ancient manuscripts supporting the Bible than for any other work of antiquity. Over 24,600 New Testament manuscripts exist today. In contrast, Homer’s Iliad, the second best-preserved ancient work, boasts only 1,800 manuscripts. The textual reliability of the biblical documents is unparalleled among works of antiquity.
While the Bible was written over 1500 years by 40 different authors on three continents, it tells one unified story and contains no contradictions. The more we find archaeological and external written sources confirming Scripture, the more the Bible stands alone as a historically reliable work.
Summary of Biblical Teachings on Other Religions
When examining what the Bible teaches about other religions, these key points emerge:
- There is only one true God, all other gods are idols
- Jesus claimed to be God and to be the only way to the Father
- Jesus rose from the dead, validating His claims to be divine
- No other religion has anything like the resurrection of its founder
- Salvation from sin is found in Christ alone, not through human effort
- Believers experience radical life transformation through the indwelling Holy Spirit
- The Bible is historically reliable and supported by external evidence
Given what Jesus and the Bible teach about Him, Christianity stands unique and true among all the religions of the world. There is salvation in no other name besides Jesus (Acts 4:12). He alone provides the way to eternal life for those who put their faith in Him.
