Christian Essentials

Recently there have been some posts made with a negative view of Reformed Theology (Calvinism). And there have been other posts made with negative views of certain churches, denominations, other theological or doctrinal beliefs, and even Bible translations. As believers in Christ Jesus and Almighty God, we should all stand firm in the Truth while at the same time encourage and promote unity in the body of Christ (all true believers). How we discuss (words and attitudes) our faith has an impact on those around us. We should stand firm in the truth and essentials and never waiver, but we all need to drape ourselves with love, gentleness and compassion.

Do we always have the same view or opinions on certain issues or topics? No.
Do we always believe the exact same things from A to Z? No.
Do we all conform to one worship style or experience? No.

But we all can have unity in the Christian Essentials. Certain truths in God’s Word are a must if we are to call ourselves Christian believers. They are essential and are the core common connection of unity within the body of Christ. Things outside of these essentials are important for a full Christian life, but our salvation isn’t based on these things. This is such an important thing to get right in our hearts and minds. There is unity in the Gospel and God calls us to be unified and an encouragement to each other for HIS GLORY. We are to build up, equip, and encourage one another. We are to rebuke for the sole purpose of edifying and teaching to bring a person to a true understanding based on the Word alone. All must be done out of love. For if it is not, then it is worthless and actually harmful.

The Christian Essentials:
1. Jesus is God: God in flesh; the proper place for our faith and worship; Part of the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit); Jesus is God and man; the only and perfect sacrifice for sins

2. Salvation is in Christ alone, through Faith alone BY GRACE ALONE: The law doesn’t save us just Grace from god and faith in the true Jesus; salvation is the forgiveness of sins and saving from God’s just judgment; accomplished by Christ alone through faith alone by grace alone.

3. Christ died and was Resurrected: This really happened as Christ bore the sins and died a real death but was resurrected the third day and defeated death; He rose from the dead.

4. The GOSPEL Message: There is but one Gospel: WE are sinners deserving God’s judgment, we are separated from god in our sins, By God’s Grace he offers His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, Jesus who is God in the flesh died for our sins, rose from the dead, and gives the free gift of salvation to those who believe in Him, which is the only way to gain salvation—in Christ alone, through Faith alone, by Grace alone.

5. There is but One God: God Almighty in the Bible (OT and NT) is the one and only God; there shall be no other gods before Him (false deities or things we make idols); God is the only one to be worshiped.

6. Jesus is the only way to Salvation: Period.; 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'" John 14:6 sums it up perfectly; Salvation is through Christ alone and not “Gospel Plus” (where works earn your salvation) and not being “spiritual” or a “good person” and not through some other worship of a false teaching that does not acknowledge the Gospel message verbatim.

7. Jesus born as a man by Virgin Birth: For the incarnation of Christ as God in the flesh, the virgin birth is an essential. John 8:24 tells us that if we deny that Jesus is God we are dead in our sins.

8. The Trinity: The Scripture as a whole from genesis to Revelation reveals the doctrine of the Trinity as God having three distinct persons (God, Son, and Holy Spirit) and that Christ was with God from the beginning as the Word and the Word became Flesh. There is not one unique verse that details the Trinity but multiple verses reveal the nature of God.

For more detailed look into the essentials, check out http://carm.org/christian-doctrine


Upon these ESSENTIALS is where the Unity in the Body of Christ can EASILY rest. These foundational truths are to be universal among every Christian believer and every Christian church. If they are not, then there is a false doctrine and a false belief because to deny one is to deny the inherent attributes of Christ and the Gospel Message. Is this strict?…yes but it is the Truth and is supported by the entirety of the Scriptures.

We obviously know that there may be some different ideas on certain topics and different views on how and why….but these common essentials above will remain intact as they are not impacted. Even with the strong doctrinal divides between strict Arminianism and strict Calvinism, there is perfect unity WHEN there is agreement on these core essentials—the heart of the Gospel. Even with doctrinal and worship divisions between various Christian church denominations, there is perfect unity WHEN there is agreement on these core essentials—the heart of the Gospel. WHEN there is agreement then there can easily be encouragement, fellowship, support and working together to advance the Gospel. There is room to discussions and deeper study on other theological and doctrinal issues (we all know many of them). Even with different views and disagreements on certain theology, salvation is not in question as long as the essentials are trusted and believed. We can love each other fully and unite on these common core essentials.

I am not saying that certain issues should be glossed over either. Certain beliefs have implications and consequences and can impact living out a full Christian life. We can discuss baptism being required for salvation as actual (water required) or symbolic (reflects a circumcision of the heart); “once saved always saved” vs. the ability to lose salvation; Election and Predestination, Free Will, Old Earth with millions/billions of years before Adam vs. Young Earth staring with a literal 6 days, etc.. These are important doctrines and many of us on Aldeer have various views and we all have our Scripture references to back up our beliefs. How we believe has an impact on how we live our lives, how we witness and how our lives are filled with a relationship with God. But as Christians we all hold the same belief in the essentials--who God is, He attributes, who Christ is, His attributes, what the Gospel is, what salvation is and is not. These are the essentials and we can have these hot topic discussion with love and in a way that glorifies God in the process. I for one need to learn to be slow to speak and remind myself of my own "preaching"--it is easy to get worked up and spout off at the mouth.

The Common Essentials will also reveal all manners and kinds of false doctrines, false teaching, false religions that lead away from Christ. The Gospel is divisive and exposes darkness with the Light of Truth. However, we are unified and united as a body of believers in Christ through these Christian essentials. This is where our hearts and minds should rest when we discuss matters of faith.

I need to add this as well: When we dive deep into the Word and actually start studying these basic, fundamental, foundational truths that are the essentials and the Christian faith...well something remarkable routinely happens. WE GROW IN OUR UNDERSTANDING and we deepen our wisdom, knowledge and insights because God uses our meditation and study to move us closer to Him in relationship. It is very common for a Christian who is really digging into the Word and studying the essential truths that all of Christianity is founded upon to change their views on issues. Where they once had a limited understanding they now have a more full understanding and it can prompt us to either narrow or expand our theology. Personally I think that there is such disagreement on various topics because most of us have never really studied the basic principles and essentials at a high level. Once we deepen our understanding of who God really is, Once we really "get" what Jesus really did for us, once we see the Gospel in total from Genesis to Revelation, Once we become deeply intimate with the truth...it is hard for us not to gain a better perspective and gain new and better understanding---it makes sense that we will take a look at what beliefs we hold, what doctrines we subscribe to, what theology we align with and make sure that they are all in line with Scripture. It prompts us to analyze. Who knows we might just understand unity after all.