Essential Christian Doctrine

In many areas of society today, comparisons are made in an effort to determine if one object or idea measures up to another in size, performance, cost effectiveness, and so on. We search for a "standard" by which to measure like objects or certain kinds of jobs. The same is true when we compare Christianity to other "religions." How do we measure one "belief" or "faith" as compared to another? How do we determine if one belief compared to another is right or wrong?

The standard that Christianity is built upon is the Holy Scriptures. The false teachers will use their own doctrine and when these false teachings are compared to the Scriptures they won't measure up. The Apostle Paul made the difference obvious in his first letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:10) he compares healthy teaching to false teachings which are contrary to the standard contained in the Scriptures. Apostolic teaching is that "sound" doctrine is both healthy and wholesome. Some or all of the competing religious doctrines in today's world make the claim that their religious doctrine measures up to the Christian doctrine. A doctrine may be defined as a belief that a group holds as true. Christian doctrines organize and explain the beliefs the church learns from the Bible. When a new believer follows Christ in Baptism he is a new creation and walks in a newness of life. The new believer takes on an entirely different outlook on life both inwardly and outwardly. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul describes what a person becomes when he embraces the "sound" doctrine of Christianity and becomes a believer in Christ. "Sound" doctrine is both morally and conceptually healthy. On the other hand, that doctrine promoted by false teachers is diseased or unhealthy. Healthy Christian beliefs build relationships through serving others first and making sacrifices to help themselves as well as others to foster Christian growth.

Christian doctrine differs from false teachings from a conformity viewpoint. Christian doctrine "conforms" to God's message of salvation as contained in the Holy Scriptures. In 1 Timothy 1:11, Paul confirms that sound teachings conform to the "glorious gospel of the blessed God." Therefore, the message proclaimed by Christ and passed on to the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:1-3) is the source and thereby the "standard" of Christian Doctrine. Acceptance of the right Christian doctrine through God's revelation directs us in the proper response to Him. Real Christianity must come about and from the gospel that saves. Other doctrines may be similar but they will fall short in that they lack the staying power of faith guaranteed by Christ.

The message preached by the Apostles was that of authority. Christian doctrine today is based on that authority contained in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:11 that he has been entrusted with the "glorious gospel of the blessed God." No other authority can supersede that given by the Word of God. Paul was given the commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles by God's authority. We are warned to beware of false teachers and doctrines. Galatians 1:6-9 brings our attention to anyone teaching something contrary to the true gospel is a teacher of false doctrine. Paul is very adamant in that if someone is teaching a gospel other than that of God is accursed. Paul is saying that it is just plain wrong.

There will always be some differences of opinion in regard to doctrinal interpretation by the church or its members. The differences are usually resolved through diligent work by the leaders of the church in conjunction with its membership. The Holy Scriptures serve as the "standard" measuring stick. Consequently, doctrines, interpretations, etc. must conform to the "standard." However, not every doctrinal disagreement will be easily resolved and neither will everyone always agree on all teaching by the church. Some disagreement as to how the Scriptures are being taught is healthy. Many times a better understanding can be reached when open discussions are permitted. Never lose sight of the fact that the Holy Scriptures are correct and are the infallible Word of God.

We, as Christians, are given the authority to interpret God's Word ourselves, through much prayer, rather than always having to have someone of higher authority interpret the Word for us. This Priesthood of the Believer is one of the strengths of our faith.

Everything from food recipes to mechanical devices contains essential ingredients or parts in order that the whole will be successful. This same analogy can be applied to Christian doctrine.

Let's take a look at some of the essential ingredients of Christian doctrine:

• God's unity: The Scriptures teach us that there is one and only one true and living God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses, the great Prophet, is addressing the children of Israel when he says to them: Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! Moses left little to the imagination when he declared that there is only one true God. If reinforcement is still needed, look at 1 Corinthians 8:5-6: 5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. The Apostle Paul is very straight forward in these verses. Neither Paul nor Moses gave room for deviation from the standard, the Holy Scriptures, and the fact that it is essential for sound Christian doctrine.

• The Trinity: This is an ingredient in Christian doctrine that cannot be substituted in any way. It is essential to the Christian belief and it is also one of the most difficult doctrines to understand. God in Three Persons! This is a simple definition of the Trinity. The Bible says it and if the Bible says it, it must be true as the Christian doctrine accepts the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. Christianity accepts the Trinity by faith. In the Gospel of John 1:1 it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Simply stated, Jesus the Son was with God before time began. Therefore, the Trinity is God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Thessalonica in his second letter: 2 Thessalonians 1:1: "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." For clarity's sake understand that the word "Trinity" is not contained in the Bible. Yet, it is clear and beyond a shadow of a doubt that God exists in three persons.

  
  
  

• Human Depravity. This ingredient always requires a little work. When the "humanistic" element is included the overall outcome can be difficult to predict. It is assumed that all human beings are generally or basically good. This may or may not be the case every time. But our society is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the transgressor unless dire circumstances exist that requires strong discipline by societal law. As far as Christian doctrine is concerned it might be said that "he/she is only human and human is to err." In Romans 3:23 the Apostle Paul says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The Christian doctrine holds that man can be spiritually separated from God and be spiritually dead. The spiritually dead can be rescued by the grace of God when the spiritually dead asks the Father for forgiveness of sins.

• The Virgin Birth. This is crucially important to the Christian doctrine. The prophet Isaiah told of the Virgin Birth of Jesus in Isaiah 14:7. The disciple Matthew told of the Virgin Birth in Matthew 1:23. Luke's gospel twice refers to the Virgin Birth in Luke 1: 27, 34. The Bible teaches us that Jesus was fully human with a human body. He walked, lived, and taught among men on this earth. He was killed and arose on the third day from the dead and lives today. The Bible teaches this very explicitly and believers take this by faith through the inspired Word of God.

• Sinlessness of Christ. It is hard to imagine a person without sin. We talk with sinners every day, for all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God! However, one man was perfect and that was Jesus. He was without sin, holy, and righteous. The Bible teaches us if "we believe in God the Father then believe in Jesus Christ." Christ is the perfect representative for us before God because He successfully passed and endured all tests of temptation put before Him. This is confirmed in Hebrews 1:15 where the author declares that Jesus is "one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Again, this is an integral part of the Christian doctrine backed by God's Word. Yes, He is worthy to stand before God the Father on our behalf.

• Deity of Christ. The Bible enumerates the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The Deity of Christ is no doubt at the top of the list which would also include: Salvation by Grace; Resurrection of Christ; the Gospel; and monotheism. All essentials of Christian doctrine already discussed herein are vital to the Christian faith. However, these five are declared by the Bible to be absolutely essential as part of the Christian doctrine. Jesus is God in the flesh and Jesus Himself said this in John 1:58, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am." Who was "I Am?" It is a reference to the Old Testament in that Jesus was telling the Jews that He was the "I Am" of old. Look back in the Book of Exodus 3:14 when God told Moses to tell the children of Israel held in Egypt that "I Am" was sending Moses to lead them out of bondage. There are many scriptural references confirming the Deity of Christ. The non-regenerates (Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, atheists, etc.) will disregard one or more of these essentials.

• God's Grace. Grace can be defined as undeserved favor or an undeserved pardon from our wrong doings. When our sins are forgiven by God, we receive an unconditional pardon. This gift sets the believer apart from the rest of world. He becomes a child of God, a condition which no one can steal from him. Ephesians 2:8-9 say it best, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." When we walk in newness of life we put aside the old life and God lives in us. This grace, what a gift!

• Faith. One can place their faith in anyone or anything. However, we need to be sure just how dependable our object of faith is at any given moment. We must be careful in what or whom we place our faith. Objects of faith are many times false such as those presented by cults. False gods are absolutely useless. They cannot save you from sin nor forgive you of sin. If you put your faith in a self-proclaimed god, or someone claiming to have had revelation from God, you are in trouble. The Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus is the only one worthy of our faith.

• Jesus' Bodily Resurrection. Without the Resurrection of Christ our hope and faith would be in vain. The moment Jesus arose from the dead the believer was assured of that same victory over death and of eternal life. We would still be in our sins as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:17 where Paul states, "and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins." The power of God overcame death and Jesus is alive today at the right hand of the Father. The believers have placed their faith in the right person when they chose to follow Christ through faith. Just like the hymn says, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe." The believer will be resurrected on the last day just as Jesus was on the third day! Paul states in his letter of 1 Corinthians 15:14, "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." After Christ's resurrection He appeared several times to the disciples and was recognized by them in bodily form. He appeared in the same body that was hanged on the Cross and the tomb in which He was buried is empty. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is rejected by both the Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims. Therefore, they are outside of Christianity.

• Christ's Atoning Death. Christ was the perfect sacrifice. He was without sin and all sufficient to pay for the world's sin. Without His sacrifice mankind would be lost. Only through Christ, who is God in the flesh, can the believer be saved from his sins and have eternal life. The Scriptures teach us that "no man cometh to the father but by the Son." In 1 John 2:2 we read, "And He himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."

• Christ's Humanity. Many important people have lived in this world but none as important to mankind as Jesus. Jesus is both Savior and God in human flesh. God in Jesus came to this earth to save all mankind from sin, offering the gift of eternal life. In exchange all God asked was that man believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus was both divine as well as human when He walked this earth. Jesus has two distinct natures. John's Gospel says it best in 1 John: 1, 14 where it is written," In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Colossians 2:9, Paul writes, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." Jesus is the second part of the Trinity. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one but act as one unit in the person of Jesus.

• Christ's Second Coming. The Second Coming of Christ has been talked about more in the last fifty years than ever before in history. Pastors, believers, and in some cases the public media all have weighed in on the Second Coming of Christ. There are even those who have in the past predicted the exact date and time Christ would be coming back to earth. Their predictions were false, futile and unfounded. The disciples tried to elicit Christ's return to no avail. They even went so far as to ask Jesus what would be the signs of the Second Coming. In the gospel of Matthew 24:29-31 we find these words spoken by Jesus to his disciples, 29"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL FROM THE SKY, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." 30"and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory."

The Second Coming is not only a Christian Doctrine but a profound promise by Jesus to return again so that the believer will also be with the Father just as Jesus is today. John tells us in the Book of the Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He is COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so, Amen." The Second Coming of Christ is mentioned throughout the New Testament and Bible believing Christians hold on to this promise steadfastly.

In conclusion, Christian doctrine can be summarized by John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, which He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Our sins are forgiven and we are made right in the sight of God. Eternal life is a gift from God, given freely by Him. We only have to believe in Jesus Christ through faith to claim the perfect redemption given by God.

Essential Creeds

To better understand Christian Doctrine we need to be aware of and understand what is meant by creeds. A creed is a statement of belief, usually a religious belief or faith. It is often recited as a part of a religious service. The terms "creed" and "faith" are sometimes used to mean religion. Understanding the creeds will help the Christian to separate what is Christian from what is not Christian. When we have a sound grasp on what a creed is and what it means, the believer is better prepared to determine the difference between false teachings and true teachings as contained in the Bible.

The Apostles Creed is the most universal of all the creeds. The apostles did not write the Apostles Creed. No one knows when this creed was written. Most Christian denominations recite and teach it today. The name "Apostles Creed" means that the creed contains the apostolic tradition. When we declare our faith in Christ we come to believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. This is part of the Apostles Creed and it corresponds with the teaching in the Bible of the divinity of Christ, the holy conception of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Christ from the dead. The Apostles Creed is culminated with the Second Coming of Christ to judge the living and the dead.

The Nicene Creed became the greatest challenge to the doctrine of the church and arose from within the church. In its original form it was adopted in Nicaea, present day Turkey, in AD 325. It is the most widely used of the creeds in Christian liturgy. The Nicene Creed is widely accepted in the East while the Apostles Creed is widely recognized in the West. The Apostles Creed is not used in the East. One or both of these two Creeds are recited in the Roman Rite Mass homily on all Sundays and Solemnities. The primary enemy of the Nicene Creed was the Arian teachings by Arius, a priest in Alexandria. Aryanism suggests that if God begat Jesus, then Jesus had an origin. Taken in this manner Aryanism teaches that Jesus did not share in the same divine essence with the Father, thereby, making Jesus a lesser God.

The overall purpose of a Creed serves to as a yardstick of "correct belief." Usually, creeds come about in times of conflict in Christian doctrine. To some a creed distinguishes between a believer and those who deny or will not conform to a particular doctrine. The Nicene Creed adopted in AD 325 and again in AD 381, specifically affirms the "divinity of Christ." The term God is applied to Jesus.

The Athanasian Creed takes it name from Athanasius who was one of Arius' most active opponents. The origin of the Athanasian Creed is not known. Athanasius was a great theologian of the fourth century. The Western character of this creed has caused some theologians to believe it may have come on the scene sometime during the fifth or sixth centuries.

The two primary teachings of the Athanasian Creed are:

1. That God's Son and the Holy Spirit are one being with the Father; and
2. That Jesus Christ is the true God and a true human being in one person.

Even though Athanasius may not have written the creed his main ideas or teachings are contained within the Athanasian Creed. Many congregations read this creed aloud in corporate worship services. Traditionally it is also known as the "Trinitarian Creed." Some congregations read it aloud on the Sunday after Pentecost known as Trinity Sunday. The Athanasian Creed teaches: the worship of one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity. It distinguishes among the persons, but it does not divide the substance. The creed concludes, "So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped."

The Athanasian Creed has been accepted among Western churches, including the Roman universal Church, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and most liturgical Protestant denominations. The Athanasian Creed has never been used widely by Eastern Christians.

In AD 451 the Council of Chalcedon, located in present day Turkey, met to clarify and to agree on a statement of the apostolic teachings concerning Jesus. One of the greatest challenges for the early Church was understanding and teaching the incarnation of Jesus. Chalcedon makes it clear that Jesus is fully God and fully human, two natures existing in perfect harmony in one person.

A natural question that may be asked is: "Why do Christians need the Creed?" Put in simple words, Christians need to understand the Creeds because we have good news to proclaim and by understanding the Creeds we can avoid a host of errors by being together in our belief.

By having a clear understanding of Christian Doctrine in conjunction with the Creeds, Christians will be better prepared to discern between false doctrines, those teachings that could lead us down the wrong path, and away from the true Gospel. In accordance with Revelation 22:18-19, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophesy of this book; if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." Teachings based on anything other than the Holy Word of God are false.