There are so many different religions; how do I know which one is right?

from the old testament

• Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse establishes monotheism as the framework for understanding God’s relationship with creation.
• Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." The Shema affirms the uniqueness and oneness of God, a truth foundational to biblical faith.
• Isaiah 45:22: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." This verse highlights God’s exclusivity and His offer of salvation to all nations, to all who will believe.

from the new testament

• The Bible confirms that truth is absolute and can be known through Jesus Christ. Jesus declares in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This exclusive claim distinguishes Christianity from other religions, emphasizing that salvation is found only through Jesus.
• John 20:31: "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." The purpose of Scripture is to reveal Jesus as the source of eternal life.
• Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter declares Jesus as the only Savior, excluding all other paths to God.
• Scripture also encourages the pursuit of truth. Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures to confirm the truth of Paul’s message.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3–6: Paul outlines the essential elements of the gospel, including Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and appearances to hundreds of eyewitnesses, grounding Christian faith in historical events.
• Beyond this, the Bible identifies Jesus’ resurrection as the cornerstone of faith. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." The resurrection is not only a theological truth but also a historical event supported by substantial evidence, making Christianity uniquely verifiable.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 advises, "Test everything; hold fast what is good." Christianity invites investigation and welcomes questions about its claims.

implications for today

Choosing the correct religion is not just an intellectual exercise; it shapes one’s understanding of life, purpose, and eternity. Religions offer competing answers to life’s most significant questions, but their claims can be tested. To determine which is true, consider:

Internal Consistency: Does the religion’s teaching align with itself? Contradictions indicate a lack of divine origin.

Historical Evidence: Are the religion’s foundational events historically verifiable? For Christianity, Jesus’ resurrection stands as the ultimate validation.

External Coherence: Does the religion align with observable reality, such as scientific findings or human experience?

The Case for Christianity:

Christianity uniquely centers on God’s initiative to restore humanity through Jesus Christ. Unlike other religions, it does not demand human effort to reach God but reveals that God bridges the gap through His grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Jesus’ resurrection is historically supported by

Eyewitness testimony, including over five hundred individuals who saw Him alive (1 Corinthians 15:6).

The empty tomb, a fact that is undisputed by contemporary opponents.

The transformation of His disciples, many of whom willingly faced martyrdom for their faith.

Challenges to Other Religions:

Islam: The Qur'an claims divine inspiration but contains internal contradictions and relies on revisions of biblical narratives without historical support.

Judaism: While affirming the Old Testament, Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah despite His fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

Polytheistic and pantheistic religions conflict with the scientific evidence of a universe with a singular origin. A single original points instead to one Creator.

Christianity offers compelling evidence for its claims, grounded in history, logic, and faith. More importantly, it provides a relationship with the living God, made possible through Jesus Christ. Christianity is the only religion where God came down and gave Himself to make the way for us to have relationship with Him. All other religions require effort on the behalf of the person to make their way to God. Jesus invites seekers to come to Him with open hearts and minds. As He said in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Ultimately, the search for the true religion finds its answer in Christ, who promises eternal life to all who believe in Him.