Since becoming a born again Child of God, some 25 yrs. ago, I have come to understand 1 overriding principle. There isn't a Christian I know, including my wife and children, that believe exactly as I believe, on every doctrine or issue.
So with that in mind, I'd like to see if there is indeed ANYBODY out there that believes everything I do. Or at least someone who comes close. I'm not going to give their doctrinal names.
Here are the fundamentals that I believe every Christian MUST believe and agree on to be considered my brother or sister in the Lord:
1. We are ALL sinners in need of a Savior.
For sure
2. Jesus Christ IS that Savior. The ONLY Savior.
Absolutely
3. Jesus IS God in the flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born to a virgin.
Agreed
4. Jesus was crucified and died to pay our sin debt.
100%
5. God raised Him to life from the dead. ( Believing all this comes by Grace through Faith )
I think God raised His son but I think His son and He are one so how that all works, but it does say specifically that God raised Him.
Issues that are probably necessary, but won't discount that person could be my Brethren if they believe differently, because not absolutely certain is vital:
6. The Trinity in the sense that God is 3 distinct persons. ( denying Jesus is God means not a Christian however )
I believe in God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son. Seperate dieties, who are also one. So I think to know how that works is outside our spectrum of learning.
7. Absolutely no works to attain or maintain Salvation.
I think the works help strengthen our Faith, and keeps our hearts soft and teachable. I do think His Spirit is designed for transformation but how He does that exactly is again His decision and His call.
8. Impossibility of losing Salvation. ( If you spell LOSING, LOOSING, probably not saved! LOL )
I think we wouldn't have been given warnings if not to let us know it is impossible but that He gives us the assurance that as long as we sincerely to obey Him, we will be abiding in Him and Him in us. He will get us where we need to go, if we seek Him. He gives us that assurance. To me, it is an action of being rooted
9. Water Baptism NOT necessary for Salvation.
Good not nec
10. The Bible is infallible in it's original languages written.
Uh huh
Issues that I am convinced of, but don't believe it affects Salvation to those that think differently.
11. The Church DID NOT replace Israel. They have different promises and destinies, although BOTH are saved by the Blood of Christ.
Agreed, but i also agree the message is one and that His atonement brought us unity with one another in Him.
12. Allegorizing, using as a metaphor, and not taking the Bible literally does violence to Scripture, and leads to all manner of private interpretations. (Obviously there are many figures of speech in Scripture, but the text itself, or obvious context, dictate them)
Agreed but I'm not the authority, I need His help to explain the scriptures. I believe the burning in the heart shows how good the taste of Him is.
13. Just as Heaven will be consciously Eternal, Hell will also be conscious eternally.
Yes, again, i can see how ppl see both sides on this one. HE is helping me firm up my opinion on this one.
14. The sons of God in Genesis 6 ARE the fallen angels being held in Tartarus for having sex and procreating with human women, making a hybrid race on a DNA level, mentioned in 2 Peter and Jude.
This is another, hmmmm? I am praying for revealing.
15. Jesus will reign for a literal 1000 yrs on Earth after the Great Tribulation.
YES!!!
16. God chooses us, none of us would choose Him. He alone gives us the faith to believe, and we would ALL remain dead unless HE ALONE chooses to save us.
Yes, I give Him all the glory
17. There will be different rewards given to the saved based on their walk and works on Earth. NOT AFFECTING SALVATION.
Yup
18. I believe there are still gifts of the Holy Spirit, although talking in tongues is only if there is somebody to understand. Tongues are not necessary to prove indwelling Holy Spirit.
Uh huh
19. There will be a pre-tribulation rapture.
Still open on this one.
20 Christ's return is imminent.
100%
There are probably a dozen or more issues, but I'm asking if there is a single person who believes even 15 of the 20 I listed. I'd be shocked if there were someone who believed ALL 20.
So. IS THERE ANYBODY >>>> OUT THERE