Essentials

The Essentials Of Christianity

Essential Christianity. We hear a lot of discussion about essentials and non-essentials, but what are the essentials of Christianity?

When we talk about the essentials of Christianity we're referring to the basic elements that make up and characterize our faith, and which, of course, separate it from other beliefs. Let's survey these doctrines.

First, we believe in the authority of Scripture, which is another way of saying that the Bible is God's inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word. It's the ultimate source for knowledge about God, as well as the definitive guide for our daily lives.

Next we affirm the existence of a triune God or one God in three distinct persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This God is self-existent, eternal, unchanging, omnipotent, omnipresent, holy, righteous, and loving. God created the universe from nothing and He rules over His creation sovereignly including both human and angelic beings.

We also hold that man is a physical and spiritual being who is created in God's image. But because of his sin or transgression, man has lost his fellowship with God. The extent of sin is so great that its effects continue to this very day in the form of cruelty, suffering, and death.

By God's grace, Jesus Christ - Who is fully God and fully man - was sent to save us from our bondage to sin. We believe that Christ was born of a virgin, died for our sins, physically rose from the dead, and will one day return to judge the world and deliver His people. Faith in Christ is the only means by which mankind can escape eternal damnation and judgment.

Finally, we recognize the ekklesia as ordained by God and headed by Christ. The ekklesia is comprised of all believers, who come together for worship, for fellowship, for spiritual growth and support, and for evangelizing the world. Two or one thousand and two makes no difference in God’s eyes.

In addition to these creeds essentially established by man, we also adhere to the words of Jesus Christ who left us with several specific commands:

Repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit (conversion, regeneration), Mark 1:15; John 3:16; 20:22
Be baptized and live the new life it initiates, initiating ongoing transformation, Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-14
Love God, neighbor, fellow disciples, the needy in a practical way and enemies (forgive), Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34-35, Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:43-48
Break bread (Communion, related to all that we do to worship),
Matthew 26:26-28; John 4:24
Pray (private and family devotions, intercession and spiritual warfare),
John 16:24
Give (stewardship of our time, treasure and talents), Luke 6:38
Make disciples (witness for Christ, shepherd, apply the Word, train leaders, send missionaries), Matthew 28:18-20

Who Is Jesus? | Who Do You Trust?

Franklin D. Coleman

Tel: 1-800-881-1547

Info@PathOfLifeMinistries.net

Path of Life Ministries

Essentials