What are the fundamentals of the faith?

[David from New Bern]

If you haven't noticed yet, you can get into tangle quick with fellow Christians about some things that you consider to be pretty elementary to the faith. You will be surprised to find that they have a different take on the subject or simply don't believe what you believe. You can't help but believe they might not be a Christian. But then again, you are told you can't judge someone that way. In fact on this forum there will be someone that will jump to their defense. So my question would be, is there a consensus on this site as to what the core beliefs that can't be weakened or tampered with and still be orthodox?

[IslandRose]

Here is our SOF. Everyone here may not agree with every detail, but it does express the basic beliefs of those involved in the ministry.

[David from New Bern]

Here is our SOF. Everyone here may not agree with every detail, but it does express the basic beliefs of those involved in the ministry.

I am in agreement with the SOF, but having read it do we consider these to be absolute fundamentals? Example: If a person believes in soul sleep, that is in conflict with your statement, but is it necessary to believe our common belief in order to be orthodox. Many denominations believe that perfect sanctification is possible this side of the grave, and again that is in conflict with what you and I believe. I absolutely believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, but I know many who don't but who otherwise hold to same moral values and desires to see Christ in heaven. Again I like this SOF, I would sign off on it, but is it the fundamental (required) beliefs?

Edited April 19, 2006 by David from New Bern

[Keith]

Yes, people may get into a tangle over this, but it's not something that's up for negotiation, no matter what anyone thinks. The Bible is God's Word to us (as I know you know) and it is the basis upon which we will all be judged when we are before the Judgment Seat. The Word is clear. God didn't try to hide or disguise His message to us. It's His desire for us to know His will and He's spoken it through His Word.

The tangles people like to get in over this - or virtually any subject of the Word - are usually based on a form of pride, ego, societal conclusions, tradition, needing to be right, unscriptural self-conclusions and/or self-justification. The Word is eternal and unchanging and the decisions that will be made before the Judgment Seat are not negotiable or able to be changed.

Since this is the basis/foundation that we will be judged against, wouldn't it behoove us to find out exactly how God desires for us to live and live accordingly? Our eternity is at stake. To live without thorough investigation of this, especially with eternity rapidly heading our way, is foolish. This is why a personal, one-on-one relationship with the Father is so important. When we spend time with Him, He will reveal Himself, His will and plan for your life personally. Without that, we are living our lives based on what we think He wants/says... or worse, on how others say we should live.

[Leonard]

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

2. That Resurrection somehow means my salvation.

[IslandRose]

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

2. That Resurrection somehow means my salvation.

1Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

I would add to that that Christ is the Son of God, God come in the flesh.

1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:

11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds

[vitality22004]

The Nicene Creed, David is the one commonly used by Protestants or evangelicals. Basics: Jesus was the son of God. He was born of the virgin Mary, crucified and was buried and rose again!

[Ovedya]

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

2. That Resurrection somehow means my salvation.

I wouldn't add or take away from that, brother, but would simply modify it to: 1) Jesus came, lived a perfect and sinless human life, died, resurrected, and ascended to the throne of God., 2) Identification which Christ in His death and resurrection guarantees my eternal salvation.

[David from New Bern]

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

2. That Resurrection somehow means my salvation.

Is there anything fundamental about surrender? Is there any requirement other than open ended belief?

[Ovedya]

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

2. That Resurrection somehow means my salvation.

Is there anything fundamental about surrender? Is there any requirement other than open ended belief?

Surrender comes as a natural consequence of first having received God's salvation and living according to the divine life int eh new creation. Faith in jesus Christ is not open-ended at all.