Essential vs Nonessential

[WordSword]

It has been well said that “there should be unity in all things essential, liberality in all things nonessential, and charity in all things!” The first is everyone believing the same doctrine concerning the receiving of faith (salvation). The second is respectfully allowing the variance of understanding of beliefs between one another. The third is always exercising love to one another within the first two conditions.

Essential doctrines (ED) are those which Scripture teaches concerning the requirements of receiving salvation; nonessential doctrines (ND) are teachings that are not related to receiving salvation but to increasing the strength of faith in salvation, i.e. spiritual growth in our understanding of Scripture (an unceasing progression).

An example of ED which I believe to be most inclusive is Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

An example of ND is the issue concerning teachings that relate to the permanency or temporality of one’s salvation, e.g. what one believes concerning either conclusion has no relation to that of receiving salvation but rather that of growing in the faith of salvation.

Looking at the ED of Romans 10:9, I believe the phrase “confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord” means to admit in your communication (signing for the impaired) that He is the Savior (Christ - sole source of redemption -1John 2:22). “Believe in your heart” to me means to always accept as true. “That God has raised Him from the dead” is a twofold conclusion in that believing in His resurrection presumes the ED concerning His incarnation (1John 4:3; 2John 1:7).

In my opinion, those who communicate with respect and kindness are the only ones who will increase their understanding (regardless of their knowledge of Scripture) in the Word of God because it shows their intentions are not out of opposition to one another, but to learn “the Word of truth.” My reason for sharing this article is not only for attempting to be instructional but more importantly so that we will remember the primary reason for learning God’s truths, to “come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ” (Eph 4:13 NLT), which sole standard is love to one another (John 15:12). The more we prioritize love to others as our motive in everything, the greater will be our practical love for God, regardless of the zeal for love to Him (1John 4:20).

 

For Christ’s Sake (Rom 15:30; 1Co 4:10; 2Co 12:10; Eph 4:32)

[Your closest friendnt]

It,s a good article, 

Why did you write it, what is your consern about, perhaps that may trigger a conversation .

Or why Paul put this one down for us.

What problem did he address .

[Ezra]

22 hours ago, Word-Sword said:

It has been well said that “there should be unity in all things essential, liberality in all things nonessential, and charity in all things!”

Unless one can show from Scripture that some doctrines are nonessential, we must hold to ALL Bible truth as being essential.  

Scripture does make allowance for personal preference in personal matters (e.g. dietary habits, observance of holy days) but there too, the essential doctrine is that all meats are lawful and holy days are now simply shadows.

[WordSword]

20 hours ago, Ezra said:

Unless one can show from Scripture that some doctrines are nonessential, we must hold to ALL Bible truth as being essential.  

Scripture does make allowance for personal preference in personal matters (e.g. dietary habits, observance of holy days) but there too, the essential doctrine is that all meats are lawful and holy days are now simply shadows.

All Bible doctrine is essential but not for the same things, i.e. it's essential to believe in Christ's atonement for sin to receive salvation, but it's not essential to believe in OSAS to receive salvation.

Blessings!

[WordSword]

21 hours ago, Your closest friendnt said:

It,s a good article, 

Why did you write it, what is your consern about, perhaps that may trigger a conversation .

Or why Paul put this one down for us.

What problem did he address .

Hi and thanks for the compliment UCF - Good questions. There is a bit confusion though with some differentiating between essential and nonessential, and my reply to Ezra is what I have been posting on many of the sites I share on due to this misunderstanding.

My intention was to help others realize not only the reason for all Scripture (love one another thereby loving God 1John 4:20) but to take a closer look at it and discern what Scriptures are used for what reason. Plus this might help reduce the problem of being too dogmatic to aid in being more pragmatic (practical in sense and action).

Blessings!

 

[Running Gator]

Thank you for your post.  I was actually thinking a lot about this topic lately.  We often hear the phrase "not a salvation issue" in place of "essential" meaning that it is not something that would affect one's salvation.  

But then I started to wonder a bit more.  There is at least one person on this forum, maybe more, that feel it is a sin for women to wear pants.  If this view is right then the wearing of pants (or not wearing them to be exact) would become an essential since committing the same sin day in and day out would negatively affect one's salvation 

[Guest shiloh357]

On 9/2/2016 at 6:25 PM, Word-Sword said:

It has been well said that “there should be unity in all things essential, liberality in all things nonessential, and charity in all things!” The first is everyone believing the same doctrine concerning the receiving of faith (salvation). The second is respectfully allowing the variance of understanding of beliefs between one another. The third is always exercising love to one another within the first two conditions.

 

Essential doctrines (ED) are those which Scripture teaches concerning the requirements of receiving salvation; nonessential doctrines (ND) are teachings that are not related to receiving salvation but to increasing the strength of faith in salvation, i.e. spiritual growth in our understanding of Scripture (an unceasing progression).

 

An example of ED which I believe to be most inclusive is Romans 10:9; “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

An example of ND is the issue concerning teachings that relate to the permanency or temporality of one’s salvation, e.g. what one believes concerning either conclusion has no relation to that of receiving salvation but rather that of growing in the faith of salvation.

 

Looking at the ED of Romans 10:9, I believe the phrase “confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord” means to admit in your communication (signing for the impaired) that He is the Savior (Christ - sole source of redemption -1John 2:22). “Believe in your heart” to me means to always accept as true. “That God has raised Him from the dead” is a twofold conclusion in that believing in His resurrection presumes the ED concerning His incarnation (1John 4:3; 2John 1:7).

 

In my opinion, those who communicate with respect and kindness are the only ones who will increase their understanding (regardless of their knowledge of Scripture) in the Word of God because it shows their intentions are not out of opposition to one another, but to learn “the Word of truth.” My reason for sharing this article is not only for attempting to be instructional but more importantly so that we will remember the primary reason for learning God’s truths, to “come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ” (Eph 4:13 NLT), which sole standard is love to one another (John 15:12). The more we prioritize love to others as our motive in everything, the greater will be our practical love for God, regardless of the zeal for love to Him (1John 4:20).

 

 

For Christ’s Sake (Rom 15:30; 1Co 4:10; 2Co 12:10; Eph 4:32)

 

There are no non-essential doctrines in Scripture.  The Bible doesn't deal in essentials vs. non-essentials when it comes to what is taught in Scripture.  That is a purely human construct.  There may be doctrines that are essential to various aspects to our walk with God, but there are no doctrines contained in the Bible that are non-essential, expendable or of lesser importance.

[Your closest friendnt]

2 hours ago, Word-Sword said:

Hi and thanks for the compliment UCF - Good questions. There is a bit confusion though with some differentiating between essential and nonessential, and my reply to Ezra is what I have been posting on many of the sites I share on due to this misunderstanding.

My intention was to help others realize not only the reason for all Scripture (love one another thereby loving God 1John 4:20) but to take a closer look at it and discern what Scriptures are used for what reason. Plus this might help reduce the problem of being too dogmatic to aid in being more pragmatic (practical in sense and action).

Blessings!

 

I am glad that you brought this issue for discussion .

I had some experience with this issue, regarding a good friend , every time we go to a church, we partake in the worship and the prayers and at the end we attempt to get to know the people .

There is a good reason why I say that. 

For starters they just have observed that we sung praises in the name of Jesus , and inspite of that they will asked you if you are "saved". 

My answer: I celebrate the "Easter", I understand about to what happen on the good Friday and on the " Easter Sunday",  

On Easter Sunday, that's how we greed one another, "Jesus Christ is Risen", and the reply is " Is RISEN INDEED", 

Can you tell me, 

Why they are not happy to hear this confession of faith. 

Why they seemed that they still believe that we are not saved, and if we die we will not inherit Heavens. 

Going to your post, what is the essential element of the Gospel they need to get hold off, to comply with the Love one another as Jesus has love us. 

Is it the "Attonment in the name of Jesus"...

Hope that I am not confusing....

[Your closest friendnt]

2 hours ago, Out of the Shadows said:

Thank you for your post.  I was actually thinking a lot about this topic lately.  We often hear the phrase "not a salvation issue" in place of "essential" meaning that it is not something that would affect one's salvation.  

But then I started to wonder a bit more.  There is at least one person on this forum, maybe more, that feel it is a sin for women to wear pants.  If this view is right then the wearing of pants (or not wearing them to be exact) would become an essential since committing the same sin day in and day out would negatively affect one's salvation 

I don't understand how someone's Salvation by faith in the name of Jesus can be effected by this example, what does it have to do "wearing pants or not", and how someone thinks about that can affect the Attonment in the name of Jesus. 

No it does not. 

This is regarding consience and consience has nothing to do with Heaven or Hell. 

Wearing pants or not can not nullified faith in Jesus Christ.

Nothing can nullified faith in Jesus Christ 

 

[Running Gator]

2 minutes ago, Your closest friendnt said:

I don't understand how someone's Salvation by faith in the name of Jesus can be effected by this example, what does it have to do "wearing pants or not", and how someone thinks about that can affect the Attonment in the name of Jesus. 

No it does not. 

This is regarding consience and consience has nothing to do with Heaven or Hell. 

Wearing pants or not can not nullified faith in Jesus Christ.

Nothing can nullified faith in Jesus Christ 

 

If indeed wearing pants is a sin, which some put forth, then to continue to sin would be a rejection of Christ.   Think about it this way, if someone said "yeah, I know that fornication is a sin, but I am going to do it anyhow",  would you think that could affect their salvation?