What is the Oldest Religion in the World?

The oldest religion is Christianity. It began BEFORE the Creation of the world in the Covenant of Grace (Gen. 3:21; Matt. 25:34; Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:1-2, 19-20; Rev. 13:8). It alone is the worship of the one true and living God (Gen 3:21; 4:26; Jer 10:10; cf. John 17:3; 1 Cor 8:6: 1 Tim 2:5-6) and will continue as such for Eternity (Rom 11:36; Rev 1:6; 5:13; 7:12). We can trace its development through God's covenants with Adam (Hos 6:7; Rom 5:12-22), Noah (Gen 6:18; 9:11; the use of qum in Hebrew reveals there was already an existing covenant), Abraham (Gen. 15:8; 17:7), Moses (Exod. 19-24), David (2 Sam. 7:5-16; Psa. 89; 132), and finally in Christ (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 34:25; 37:26; Matt 26:27-28; Heb. 8:10-12; 9:15). Even the Adam in the Garden is connected to the second and last man Adam - Christ Jesus (1 Cor 15:45, 47; cf. Rom 5:12-21). In the New Testament, this religion from the Creation of the world became known as Christianity (Acts 11:26).

The Old Testament is all about Jesus and the promise of the Savior. Messiah would be born of a woman (Gen 3:15; cf. Matt 1:20; Gal 4:4). He would be born of a virgin (Isa 7:14; cf. Matt 1:22-23) in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2; cf. Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4-6). The Messiah would come from the line of Abraham (Gen 12:3; 22:18; cf. Matt 1:1; Rom 9:5), be a descendent of Isaac (Gen 17:19; 21:12; cf. Matt 1:2) and Jacob (Num 24:17; cf. Matt 1:2) and be from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10; cf. Luke 3:33; Heb 7:14). Messiah would be a heir of David's throne (2 Sam 7:12-13; Isa 9:7; cf. Luke 1:32-33; Rom 1:3) and his throne would be anointed and eternal (Psa 45:6-7; Dan 2:44; cf. Luke 1:33; Heb 1:8-12).

Messiah would be called Immanuel (Isa 7:14; cf. Matt 1:23), spend a season in Egypt (Hos 11:1; cf. Matt 2:14-15), and there would be a massacre of children at his birthplace (Jer 31:15; cf. Matt 2:16-18). A messenger would prepare his way (Isa 40:3-5; cf. Luke 3:3-6), but Messiah would be rejected by his own people (Psa 69:8; Isa 53:3; cf. John 1:11; 7:5). Messiah would be preceded by Elijah (Mal 4:5-6; cf. Matt 11:13-14), be a prophet (Deut 18:5; cf. Acts 3:20-22), and be declared to be the Son of God (Psa 2:7; cf. Matt 3:16-17). He would be called a Nazarene (Isa 11:1; cf. Matt 2:23), bring light to Galilee (Isa 9:1-2; cf. Matt 4:13-16), and speak in parables (Psa 78:2-4; Isa 6:9-10; cf. Matt 13:10-15, 34-35). He would come to heal the broken hearted (Isa 61:1-2; cf. Luke 4:18-19) and be praised by little children (Psa 8:2; cf. Matt 21:16).

Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psa 110:4; Heb 5:5-6) and be called a king (Psa 2:6; Zech 9:9; cf. Matt 27:37; Mark 11:7-11). He would be betrayed (Psa 41:9; Zech 11:12-13; cf. Matt 26:14-16; Luke 22:47-48) and the Messiah's price would be used to purchase a potter's field (Zech 11:12-13; cf. Matt 27:9-10). He would be falsely accused (Psa 35:11; cf. Mark 14:57-58) and yet remain silent before his accusers (Isa 53:7; cf. Mark 15:4-5). Messiah would be spat upon and struck (Isa 50:6; cf. Matt 26:67), be hated without a cause (Psa 35:19; 69:4; cf. John 15:24-25), and crucified with criminals (Isa 53:12; cf. Matt 27:38; Mark 15:27-28). He would be given vinegar to drink (Psa 69:21; cf. Matt 27:34; John 19:28-30), his hands and feet would be pierced (Psa 22:16; Zech 12:10; cf. John 20:25-27), and he would be mocked and ridiculed (Psa 22:7-8; cf. Luke 23:35). Soldiers would gamble for his garments (Psa 22:18; cf. Luke 23:34; Matt 37:35-36), but his bones would not be broken (Exod 12:46; Psa 34:20; cf. John 19:36). He would be forsaken by God (Psa 22:1; cf. Matt 27:46) and yet pray for his enemies (Psa 109:4; cf. Luke 23:34). Soldiers would pierce the Messiah's side (Zech 12:10; cf. John 19:34), but he would be buried with the rich (Isa 53:9; cf. Matt 27:57-60).

Messiah would be resurrected from the dead (Psa 16:10; 49:15; cf. Matt 28:5-7; Acts 2:22-32), would ascend to heaven (Psa 24:7-10; cf. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51), and be seated at the right hand of God (Psa 110:1; cf. Mark 16:19; Matt 22:44). And Messiah would be the sacrifice for the sins of his people (Isa 53:5-12; cf. Rom 5:6-8). The religion we now know as Christianity is a continuation of the covenant God had with Israel (Rom 1:16). See "The Renewed or New Covenant?" below.

Christianity is the oldest religion in the world. See "Is Jesus the ONLY WAY to Heaven?" below.

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