The word "Alpha" comes from the first letter of the Greek alphabet and symbolizes a beginning or starting point of a journey.
In the Bible, Jesus refers to himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13).
Some people ask why Alpha starts with "Who is Jesus?" and not "Who is God?"
The Bible tells us that it is through a relationship with Jesus that we can know God and experience his forgiveness, love, and acceptance (John 1:14, John 14:6-9, Matthew 11:27). "Jesus is the lens through which we see God." (Toby, AFS)
At Alpha, you have the opportunity to learn, explore, question your spiritual beliefs, and share your point of view. No judgment!
Alpha covers the basics of the Christian faith with a simple overview. It's just the beginning!
Top Tip: Alpha is best experienced in a group format. The discussion and exploration together is truly a unique experience. Alpha is recognized globally and the videos are available in over 80 languages!
What are the topics on Alpha?
The videos explain our relationship with God. The first half of Alpha explores who Jesus is, why he died, and how we can communicate with God.
The Alpha Weekend is about halfway through the course and covers 4 talks—including who the Holy Spirit is, what he does, and how the Holy Spirit can help us live a life with purpose, peace, and power. (The Alpha Youth Series covers these topics in 2 videos.)
The second half of Alpha explores how life as a Christian is different—including topics such as evil, healing, and the role of the Church. This provides valuable information for those who have questions or preconceived ideas about the Christian lifestyle and it's helpful for new Christians too. (See topic overview here.)
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