I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.(Jude 1:3)
You may not be able to answer all the questions that might be asked of you, but the first step is about knowing what you believe yourself. A big part of doing that is being able to know what the non-negotiable matters are. This list helps you realize when something isn’t lining up with the Christian message and the teachings of the Bible. If they get one of these wrong, it isn’t Christian, it isn’t compatible with Christianity, and it isn’t worshipping the same God, even if it claims it is. These are the essential fundamentals.
Deity of Christ
Physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead
Trinity
Justification by faith
Bible as only final rule for faith and practice
Most all of the cults of Christianity place some other book as equal to the Bible or as a source for the interpretation of the Scriptures, the grid through which they control a person’s understanding. It is not wrong to codify what we believe the Bible to be teaching. The historic, orthodox creeds are useful tools. It is certainly not wrong to have books about the Scriptures; they can be a vital part of our studies. It is not right, however, to use books that introduce new doctrines not found in the Scriptures, things not taught by Jesus or the Apostles and not expounded by or alluded to in Paul’s writings (Galatians 1:8-9).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 sets forth the Bible as sufficient, and as far as it being only about the Old Testament, it isn’t true, because most of the Scriptures were already complete. Peter brings the Old and New Testaments together by saying that words of the Apostles were also authoritative (2 Peter 3:2), specifically referring to Paul’s writings as scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). Also 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7, so the gospels are included. Everything needed for faith and practice, life and liberty in Christ, we have all we need in the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3-4). As a companion and disciple of the Apostle Paul, Timothy would have had access to these writings (2 Timothy 4:13). The Bible is sufficient: further revelation brings us further from God.
Deity of Christ
Physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead
Trinity
Justification by faith
Bible as only final rule for faith and practice
Most all of the cults of Christianity place some other book as equal to the Bible or as a source for the interpretation of the Scriptures, the grid through which they control a person’s understanding. It is not wrong to codify what we believe the Bible to be teaching. The historic, orthodox creeds are useful tools. It is certainly not wrong to have books about the Scriptures; they can be a vital part of our studies. It is not right, however, to use books that introduce new doctrines not found in the Scriptures, things not taught by Jesus or the Apostles and not expounded by or alluded to in Paul’s writings (Galatians 1:8-9).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 sets forth the Bible as sufficient, and as far as it being only about the Old Testament, it isn’t true, because most of the Scriptures were already complete. Peter brings the Old and New Testaments together by saying that words of the Apostles were also authoritative (2 Peter 3:2), specifically referring to Paul’s writings as scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). Also 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7, so the gospels are included. Everything needed for faith and practice, life and liberty in Christ, we have all we need in the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3-4). As a companion and disciple of the Apostle Paul, Timothy would have had access to these writings (2 Timothy 4:13). The Bible is sufficient: further revelation brings us further from God.
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