Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What doctrines are essential? | Titus 2:1 | kalos | 156084 | ||
What doctrines are essential? Part 1. How can we determine what doctrines are essential and what are they? To begin with, the strongest words of condemnation in all the New Testament are aimed at false teachers who corrupt the Gospel. Therefore the Gospel message itself must be acknowledged as a primary point of fundamental doctrine. (...) I. All Fundamental Articles of Faith Must Be Drawn from the Scriptures First, if a doctrine is truly fundamental, it must have its origin in Scripture, not tradition, papal decrees, or some other source of authority. Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures are "able to make thee wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15, KJV). In other words, if a doctrine is essential for salvation, we can learn it from the Bible. The written Word of God therefore must contain all doctrine that is truly fundamental. It is able to make us "adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). If there were necessary doctrines not revealed in Scripture, those promises would ring empty. (..) No papal decrees, no oral tradition, no latter-day prophecy can contain truth apart from Scripture that is genuinely fundamental. II. The Fundamentals Are Clear in Scripture Second, if an article of faith is to be regarded as fundamental, it must be clearly set forth in Scripture. No "secret knowledge" or hidden truth-formula could ever qualify as a fundamental article of faith. No key is necessary to unlock the teaching of the Bible. (..) The Word of God is not a puzzle. It does not speak in riddles. It is not cryptic or mysterious. It is plain and obvious to those who have spiritual ears to hear. "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). (..) III. Everything Essential to Saving Faith Is Fundamental Third, a doctrine must be regarded as fundamental if eternal life depends on it. (..) Since Jesus Himself is the true God incarnate (1 John 5:20; John 8:58; 10:30), the fact of His deity (and by implication the whole doctrine of the Trinity) is a fundamental article of faith (see 1 John 2:23). Our Lord Himself confirmed this when He said all must honor Him as they honor the Father (John 5:23). And according to Romans 4:4-5, justification by faith is a fundamental doctrine as well: "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness" (emphasis added) . . . This is precisely the difference between Roman Catholic doctrine and the Gospel set forth in Scripture. It is at the heart of all doctrine that is truly fundamental. (..) IV. Every Doctrine We Are Forbidden to Deny Is Fundamental Certain teachings of Scripture carry threats of damnation to those who deny them. Other ideas are expressly stated to be affirmed only by unbelievers. Such doctrines, obviously, involve fundamental articles of genuine Christianity. (..) And since those who twist and distort the Word of God are threatened with destruction (2 Peter 3:16), it is evident that both a lofty view of Scripture and a sound method of Bible interpretation (hermeneutics) are fundamental tenets of true Christianity. V. The Fundamental Doctrines Are All Summed up in the Person and Work of Christ Paul wrote, "No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). Christ Himself embodied or established every doctrine that is essential to genuine Christianity. Those who reject any of the cardinal doctrines of the faith worship a christ who is not the Christ of Scripture. (..) That is why [John] wrote, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). Far from encouraging union with those who denied the fundamental truths of the faith, John forbade any form of spiritual fellowship with or encouragement of such false religion (vv. 10-11). (Adapted from John F. MacArthur, Reckless Faith [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1997], pp. 108-17) |
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2 | What doctrines are essential? | Titus 2:1 | Dalcent | 156087 | ||
The doctrine of faith alone is not the clearest doctrine in Scripture. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not hold to it nor do ANY of the Church Fathers, including many names which evangelicals respect such as Justin Martyr, Augustine, Ireneaus, etc. More importantly there are plenty of Scriptures which suggest otherwise, especially James 2:24. So what that you have quoted Romans 4:4-5, my Bible has 2000 pages of text. I could sling hundreds of verses that are against faith alone, to say that it is clearly and unequivocably stated in Scripture is complete myth. Why was it "missed" for sixteen centuries until Luther. The writings of the martyrs of the first few centuries did not hold to Luther's faith alone doctrine. Their writings are extant. Were all those saints and martyrs killed by the Roman empire not Christians, and preaching a false gospel. You have also ruled out the entire Christian East (the remnant of Oriental Christians in lands now Muslim). Billions of Christians who lived died and were often martyed for Christ demonstrate your line of thought is completely wrong. |
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3 | What doctrines are essential? | Titus 2:1 | mark d seyler | 156091 | ||
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. This is the clear and unequivical teaching of the Bible. Love in Christ, Mark |
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4 | What doctrines are essential? | Titus 2:1 | Dalcent | 156098 | ||
Faith is usually contrasted with works of the Law (Torah). Faith does not mean faith alone as understood by Protestants, but is rather 'act'-ive faith 'working through love' (Gal 5:6) Luther's German Bible saw fit to change Romans 3:28 from faith to 'faith alone'. i.e., Luther knew the Bible needed doctoring to support his novel theology. (Rom 3:28) For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Not faith alone apart from the works of the Law as Luther would want it.) IT IS NOT GOOD WORKS WHICH THE BIBLE REJECTS, AS WE SEE IN EPH 2:10, BUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW (TORAH). (Rom 4:13) For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom 4:14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; (Rom 4:16) For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (Gal 2:16) nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Gal 3:2) This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (Gal 3:5) So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (Gal 3:11) Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (Gal 3:12) However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM." (Gal 3:23) But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. (Gal 3:24) Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Read this carefully, genuine Christian faith (working through love Gal 5:6), not "faith alone" is contrasted with the Torah, not Spirit-inspired WORKING FAITH: faith which comes with good works EPH. 2:10 (Phi 3:9) and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, The Bible uses the expression 'faith alone' to say that is how we are not justified. Jam 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Faith alone appears nowhere else. "Faith alone" is the clear and unequivical teaching of Protestants; I'm clear on that. I was when I was the top bible student in Europe's largest Bible college. |
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