What is Essential Doctrine?

What is Essential Doctrine?

    As it is used here: Doctrine is a belief or tenet in theological matters. Doctrine in any particular belief, whether a denomination or whether a religious belief apart from Christianity. Christian doctrine is the truths revealed to us in the word of God through the scriptures. Essential means that it is of utmost importance, for us it means that they have to be believed.

    Just because a person claims to be a Christian doesn't make them a Christian. Many people and groups will claim Christianity but deny the most essential beliefs of Christianity.

    In Christianity, essential doctrine is the basic beliefs from scripture that are necessary to be a Christian. It is doctrine that is found in all true Christian denominations. To deny or to change any of these biblical truths is to deny the truth taught through scriptures.

    1. Monotheism - There is only one true God that exists. Isaiah 43:10 - 44:6 - 45:5,14,18,21,22

    2. Deity of Christ - Belief that Jesus is God in the flesh. John 8:24

    3. Salvation by Grace - Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not by our works. His sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the world. Eph. 2:8-9

    4. The Gospel - The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or the Good News contained in the scriptures. The Good News tells or the redemptive sacrifice for our sins through Jesus Christ. Included in the Gospel is His sacrificial death, burial and bodily resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:1-4

    5. The Resurrection of Christ - Although part of the Gospel it also stands alone. The resurrection is of utmost importance because without it our faith is in vain and we are dead in our sins. 1 Cor, 15:14-18

    6. Trinity - Belief that even though there is only one God, He exists in three distinct personages. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each is an individual and each is divine in nature, the three form the triune Godhead. Each person of the Trinity is distinct in actions and yet identical in attributes. Matt. 28:19

    7. Jesus is the only way to salvation -  Jesus stated that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Salvation is found only through Jesus and can not be obtained by any other means. John 14:6

Each of these will be explained in more depth and detail as each is covered alone.