It's been 6 years since this was a topic, and there has been some discussion on other threads recently, so a new thread seems to make sense. What are the ESSENTIAL Christian doctrines? These are doctrines that divide us from other quasi-Christian religions (e.g. LDS, JW, etc.). I'll start things off with an edited list of Statement of Beliefs from my church on the essentials:
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Biblical References: Genesis 1:1, 26–27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to claim His own and take them to that same Heaven.
Biblical References: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22–23; John 1:1–5; 14:10–30; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 1:3–4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13; Hebrew 4:14–15
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He is our intercessor and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
Biblical References: John 14:16, 16:7–14, 17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26–27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:16–17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is God inspired, it is the truth without any mixture or error.
Biblical References: Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5–6; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:20–21, 3:15–16
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Biblical References: John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17–18; 1 Corinthians 2:7–9; Revelation 20:15
This should be a good starting point. Feel free to agree, disagree, modify, add, etc.[/QUOTE)
Sure 385 yrs after Jesus the intense Roman Empire needed a "new" reason to account for its it's victories. So now the "Council of Nicea" gives Rome the authority to govermoun the "Christian Church." Those in Greece, Egypt and the Aegean were required to adopt this "creed" or else be an enemy of Rome. Jesus said you can deny me and God the father but in "your denia" of the Holy Spirit "you have committed the "unpardonable" sin. Thus when the Roman Government chose the Western Christian Faith as the state religion in the late 4fh century, all other variants, of which where were many, were "heretics". Perhaps Jesus was anticipating the wholesale capture of His Gospel by Pagans "suddenly" in power and in charge of "Christianity" for the next 1,500 years.
