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The Bible NETWork Doctrinal Statement

Doctrinal Statement

How We Believe~

  1. In the essentials we have unity (Eph 4:3-6)
  2. In the non-essentials we have diversity (Rom 14:1-22)
  3. In all things charity (1 Cor 13:2)

 

What We Believe~

In his Series titled Christian Basic Training Charles Buntin makes the point that the core doctrines of biblical Christianity are practical. These are not doctrines that you put up on a shelf to admire--they are doctrines that you can and must use in your everyday walk. Because our goal is to produce practicing, practical Christians who can impact their own community for the cause of Christ, we have chosen to follow his advice by composing the following doctrinal statement that we believe will help unite us in our efforts to strengthen fellow believers for more effective service to God while consistently reflecting the mind of Christ in their approach and attitude.

 

Charles classifies the essentials into 6 groups. 

1. The Essential Christian Worldview--We all have a worldview, whether we realize it or not. This section asks and answers two questions--this set of questions and answers constitute the Christian Worldview. (a) What is Truth? and (b) Why are we alive?

  • a)… the Bible is the Word of God and is Truth and that Truth is personified in Jesus Christ. To know Truth face-to-face is to know Christ personally. (John 17:17) (John 14:6)
  • b)… we are created for God’s pleasure and to bring him glory in all that we do and say. Revelation 4:11, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31. 

2. The Inspiration, Inerrancy (which means "without error"), and Authority of the Scriptures--This is the most basic of doctrines for the believer. If we do not understand that the Scriptures are our final authority, then we can never be certain about the other teachings of the faith.

  • The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Matthew 5:18, 2 Tim 3:15-17, 1 Thes 2:13,1 Peter 1:21)

see also topic index : Inspiration Inerrancy

3. The Nature of God--What kind of God do YOU worship? The modern "god" is too small, he has no definite doctrines, his plans and providence are subject to man's whims and desires, he is a cosmic wimp. The God of the Bible is The Absolute God, who is:

  • Sovereign, (Rom 9:1-25; Psalm 115:3; 135:6)
  • Holy, (Psalm 99:9; 33:21; 77:13; John 17:11)
  • Omnipotent, (Isaiah 43:13; Job 42:2)
  • Omniscient, (Psalm 147:4-5; Isaiah 42:9)
  • Omnipresent, (Psalm 139:7-12)
  • Immutable, (James 1:17; Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6)
  • Wrathful, (Psalm 95:11, Rom 1:18 ,)
  • Merciful, (Genesis 19:16; Exodus 34:6; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 8:12) and
  • Loving (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 4:19; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 1:4-5). 

4. The Doctrine of the Trinity--(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) as defined in the historic creeds of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to biblical Christianity: no Trinity--no Christianity. No Trinity--No salvation!

See also topic index: Trinity

Deut 6:4, Deut 32:6, Jer 3:19, 2 Cor 6:18, John 1:1, John 14:9, Acts 5:1-5 

5. The Person and Work of Christ--"What think ye of Christ . . .Who do men say that I am?" The answer to this question is the heart of hearts of the faith. Christ is Pre-existent, God Incarnate, Crucified, Risen, Coming Again. There is salvation in no one else.

See also topic index: Christology

Matt 1:23; Heb 1; John 1:1; 14:6; Acts 2:22; 4:12; 1 Cor 15:15-21; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 1:15-20; 1 Thes 4:16-17; Rom 8:23; 2 Pet 2:13 

6. Salvation: (a) By Grace, through faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing. This is one of the major teachings that distinguishes biblical Christianity from all other religions--Man cannot work his way to God, God must do it all. (b) Justification by Faith, plus nothing. The corollary to 6a--we contribute nothing to our salvation; we respond in faith to the finished work of Jesus Christ.

See also topic index: Salvation

  • a) Ephesians 2:8-10; Phil 2:12-13
  • b) Romans 3:21-24, 28; Romans 4:1-5

Those who are interested may click here to read a copy of the doctrinal statement from our parent site Bible.org

 

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