The essentials of Christianity

[McCulloch]

As far as Christians who believe non-essentials that are wrong thinking (i.e. they are the only saved group, prayers to Mary are beneficial, etc.), it doesn't mean they aren't saved. I believe when they get to heaven they'll find out there were things they were wrong about, just as I will.

Question for debate: Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity? How do you tell the difference between a wrong teaching that is acceptable or tolerable and a wrong teaching or belief that may affect one's salvation?

[East of Eden]

As far as Christians who believe non-essentials that are wrong thinking (i.e. they are the only saved group, prayers to Mary are beneficial, etc.), it doesn't mean they aren't saved. I believe when they get to heaven they'll find out there were things they were wrong about, just as I will.

Question for debate: Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity?

I nominate this:


I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

[Abraxas]

As far as Christians who believe non-essentials that are wrong thinking (i.e. they are the only saved group, prayers to Mary are beneficial, etc.), it doesn't mean they aren't saved. I believe when they get to heaven they'll find out there were things they were wrong about, just as I will.

Question for debate: Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity? How do you tell the difference between a wrong teaching that is acceptable or tolerable and a wrong teaching or belief that may affect one's salvation?

I'd say belief in God and belief that Christ is his son and the Messiah are probably sufficient to make you some variety of Christian. Everything else is flavoring.

@EoE
Take out:

the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,

And I wouldn't disagree too much.

[McCulloch]

Question for debate: Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity?

I nominate this:
[The Apostle's Creed, possibly written in 390]

OK. Why?

Is there some particular reason why, for example, belief in Jesus' suffering under Pontius Pilate is essential? Being raised on the third day as opposed to being buried for three days and three nights?

Why not the Nicene Creed (325 revised 381) ?

[McCulloch]

@EoE
Take out:

the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,

And I wouldn't disagree too much.

The word catholic (lower case) in the phrase is a synonym for universal and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church. The term catholic means general or universal. The Unity of the Brethren Churches use I believe in the holy Christian Church in its place.

The communion of saints is a reference to the spiritual union of all Christians living and dead. They share a single spiritual body, with Christ as the head, in which each member contributes to the good of all and shares in the welfare of all.

[Abraxas]

@EoE
Take out:

the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,

And I wouldn't disagree too much.

The word catholic (lower case) in the phrase is a synonym for universal and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church. The term catholic means general or universal. The Unity of the Brethren Churches use I believe in the holy Christian Church in its place.

The communion of saints is a reference to the spiritual union of all Christians living and dead. They share a single spiritual body, with Christ as the head, in which each member contributes to the good of all and shares in the welfare of all.

Ah, my mistake. Very well then, a curse upon borrowed terminology.

[Manasseh_]

"Question for debate: Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity? How do you tell the difference between a wrong teaching that is acceptable or tolerable and a wrong teaching or belief that may affect one's salvation?"

I don't believe any such thing as "minimum essential beliefs" exists. Yes there are of course foundations that we build on as essential, but at the same time we don't stop there in our conversion and renewing of mind. We cannot say well I'll play it safe and just believe the minimum essentials.

JOHN 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

JOHN 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

JOHN 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

JOHN 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I've often heard in debate where toward the end of certain discussions one of the participants replies , "well it's not a salvational issue, it's not an essential".

So , one could understand many truths but yet continue to believe in a number of, or even one false doctrine and still worship God in TRUTH?

Personally I don't believe that is what scriptures teach. If any of us were to believe falsehoods and at one point be taught by scripture that they were false and continue to believe them in spite of the truth, then this is not worshiping God in spirit and truth. It is simply being deceived and allowing for deception to continue.

We are constantly reminded by scripture.............

2TIMOTHY 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

and.......1THESSALONIANS 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Now we keep in mind we don't have to proceed with this task alone.
We read and study, we also keep in constant prayer asking in faith for knowledge, understanding and wisdom and most importantly allowing God's Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. The scriptures themselves give us promise that He will do it.

MARK 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

MATTHEW 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

MATTHEW 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

JAMES 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1JOHN 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Everything we believe is essential and most important.
Essential to believe in God, to worship in truth, to have understanding, to guard against deceptions to grow closer to the renewing of the mind, to rightly divide God's word.........and on and on........





1THESSALONIANS 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

[McCulloch]

I don't believe any such thing as "minimum essential beliefs" exists. Yes there are of course foundations that we build on as essential, but at the same time we don't stop there in our conversion and renewing of mind. We cannot say well I'll play it safe and just believe the minimum essentials.

That was not the point of the question. The point was more to do with where do you draw the line between erring brethren and outright heretics. Let's say you believe that the Bible teaches believers' baptism. Then are the Presbyterians Christians who teach and practice a wrong belief or are they apostates who deny Christ? Let's say you believe that Jesus is God incarnate, the second person of God. Are the Jehovah's Witnesses a group of Christians who just don't quite understand fully or do they deny the gospel? If you believe in the fourth commandment, how do you approach those who worship on Sunday?

[Manasseh_]

I don't believe any such thing as "minimum essential beliefs" exists. Yes there are of course foundations that we build on as essential, but at the same time we don't stop there in our conversion and renewing of mind. We cannot say well I'll play it safe and just believe the minimum essentials.

That was not the point of the question. The point was more to do with where do you draw the line between erring brethren and outright heretics. Let's say you believe that the Bible teaches believers' baptism. Then are the Presbyterians Christians who teach and practice a wrong belief or are they apostates who deny Christ? Let's say you believe that Jesus is God incarnate, the second person of God. Are the Jehovah's Witnesses a group of Christians who just don't quite understand fully or do they deny the gospel? If you believe in the fourth commandment, how do you approach those who worship on Sunday?

Your original question was "Just what are the minimum essential beliefs of Christianity?"

You made no distinction that you wanted to compare denominations and their particular beliefs.

Your question now stands as : "Where do you draw the line between erring brethren and outright heretics?"

These are different questions my friend.

I commented on your more general earlier question. Will be happy to comment on your NEW question when time permits.

[McCulloch]

You made no distinction that you wanted to compare denominations and their particular beliefs.

Your question now stands as : "Where do you draw the line between erring brethren and outright heretics?"

These are different questions my friend.

I commented on your more general earlier question. Will be happy to comment on your NEW question when time permits.

Context is everything. Look at the context cited in the OP.