Core Essentials of Our One Faith (for fellowshipping with others)?

[Charlie1988]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

This topic has come up on a few threads lately, that is, about the core or essential items of our one Christian faith. Personally, I believe the Lord has shown me that I am to be uncompromising about just a few things, and hold loosely the many other things.  This is to facilitate open fellowship with more genuine believers, even though they might not hold to the same idea of things like foot washing, tongue speaking, celebrating certain days or something else which (to me) is really nonessential to our one faith.

Accordingly, every so often I think it's beneficial to have this discussion, so I'll start out:

My core items are:

1. God, in Christ, was/is reconciling the world to Himself

2. Jesus is Lord and Christ, and a person must believe on Him and receive Him into themselves to be saved

And if I was to add a #3, it might be - The bible is Word of God

There's 2-3 core essentials - I think if anyone believes in these, then the way should be open to have fellowship with them.

So what core item have I forgotten?  Is there anything that glaringly stands out that's missing from this short list, that would prevent fellowship?  (Frankly, there may actually be a couple more, but right off the top that's all I can come up with . . . )

 

I believe the core essentials of the Christian faith are;

1. To believe that the Bible is God’s authoritative Word and accept everything it says as the truth.

2. Trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to take away the guilt of sin. Repentance is a change of attitude toward sin which leads to a change of life.

3. Trust in Jesus Christ as your only hope to save you from God’s judgement.

[D. Adrien]

Those already listed by others and I'd add, one salvation. Meaning salvation is only through Jesus Christ. If Universalism is real, why the needed death of Jesus?

Maybe a bit more; Submission to, obedience to Jesus. John 15:14 "You are my friends if you do what I command you". I suppose agreement with Jesus too, in your heart.

Perhaps humility would/ is a good indicator of where a person is mentally?

[Vine Abider]

This is good!  It's showing me that all/most of the posters here see only a few, mutually held, core essentials of the faith to facilitate fellowship with other believers!  Beyond this, I see little else required for fellowship.

[Vine Abider]

10 hours ago, First and the Last said:

The core tenets of faith according revolve around the belief in the oneness of God, the necessity of repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Spirit. Scripture firmly adhere to the doctrine of the Oneness of God, affirming that Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the one God. Salvation, they believe, involves a specific process that includes repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues. This experience is seen as essential for salvation and a continuation of the Apostolic faith and practice as recorded in the Book of Acts. The Scriptures also emphasizes holiness in both inward character and outward conduct, encouraging believers to live lives separated from worldly practices and dedicated to God. Additionally, the anticipation of the imminent return of Jesus Christ is a significant aspect of their faith, motivating a life of holiness and evangelism. These core beliefs shape the theology, worship, and practices of the True Church, distinguishing it within the broader Christian landscape.

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So I need to ask a question here: Would you not fellowship with someone who hadn't experienced the gift of tongues?

[First and the Last]

15 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

So I need to ask a question here: Would you not fellowship with someone who hadn't experienced the gift of tongues?

I would fellowship with anyone truly wanting to please God to the best of their ability. I don't fault anyone for not having received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Only to those who believe its not available today or just blatantly don't care. And trying to convince others of the same. Truth of God's word must alway prevail. The Bible and God is our Judge not anyone else.

Edited June 26, 2024 by First and the Last
more clarity

[Neighbor]

"Core Essentials of Our One Faith?"

For me it is and has been for some time now; quit building that box to put God in.

 

 

 

p.s. Other than that I guess I can dig out my pocket edition of the Baptist Confessional 1689  https://www.creeds.net/baptists/1689/kerkham/1689.htm

[Marathoner]

2 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

This is good!  It's showing me that all/most of the posters here see only a few, mutually held, core essentials of the faith to facilitate fellowship with other believers!  Beyond this, I see little else required for fellowship.

Yes! Our Lord is essential for without Him, who are we? Where are we? Many of us have learned that there are issues and things that only matter to us individually. 

Have I wrote about this before? Here's what matters to the Lord:

How I conduct myself and treat you. 

After an interaction, I feel troubled by it. I come to the Lord, and the Spirit reveals why I feel troubled: I thought I was "right" at the expense of another. We may speak the truth and be done with it; once is sufficient. As for our own opinions which we fancy as the truth? If we can't gently and with good cheer share them, it's better to abstain and find something constructive to do.

A far cry from head-bashing! 

 

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, Neighbor said:

p.s. Other than that I guess I can dig out my pocket edition of the Baptist Confessional 1689  https://www.creeds.net/baptists/1689/kerkham/1689.htm

Humor right (I hope)?

[Dennis1209]

Yep. It's a timely topic indeed.

I suppose the core essentials vary from person to person. My core faith essentials are, and not all-inclusive:

• God is trinitarian; there are three persons in One God: the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus manifested in the flesh, walked the earth, and was born of a virgin. God in the flesh. Emmanuel  = God with us.
• The Bible is the inerrant, infallible word of God.
• Jesus died in my place as a substitutional death for my sins.
• Jesus physically died, was resurrected on the 3^rd day, and is now seated at our Father's right hand.
• Jesus is our mediator and advocate before the throne. There is no communication to the throne of God, or Salvation and eternal life, other than in Him, and through Him.
• Jesus lived a sinless, perfect, and holy life because He is God for our example to emulate.

[First and the Last]

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is a vital and transformative experience for every believer. However, some branches of Christianity may deny or not emphasize this experience due to different theological interpretations and historical developments. Various denominations may interpret the Scriptures differently, viewing the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, as either symbolic, specific to the early church, or no longer necessary in the present age. Additionally, traditions, doctrinal teachings, and lack of exposure to Pentecostal practices can contribute to this divergence in belief.

As Pentecostal believers, we view the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as a continuation of the apostolic experience described in the Book of Acts, where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6). We believe this experience is for all believers today and serves as an empowering encounter that deepens one's relationship with God, provides spiritual strength, and equips individuals for service and witness.

Experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is more than a doctrinal position; it is a deeply personal and dynamic encounter with God's presence. It brings an intimate awareness of God's love and power, enhancing one's prayer life and spiritual gifts. We encourage all believers to seek this precious gift, not out of doctrinal obligation, but from a desire for a closer walk with God and a fuller experience of His Spirit in their lives. This transformative experience aligns with the promise Jesus made in John 7:37-39, where He spoke of rivers of living water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, flowing from within those who believe in Him. Everyone should desire to open their heart to this promise and experience the fullness of God's Spirit for themselves.