Essentials of the Faith - Pt 1

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31 ESV).

John closes his account of the Gospel by saying the things he included were those necessary for us to believe the “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and that by believing we may have eternal life” (v. 31). Doctrine is important. However, affirming every biblical doctrine is only essential for perfection. Because perfection is not what God has to have from us, it is not all essential for being a Christian and living a life that is useful. God uses imperfect people, both doctrinally and morally. Therefore, I wouldn't want to put all doctrines in the same category of importance. The deity of Christ, the centrality of the cross, the necessity of faith, the necessity of a transformed life by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the sovereignty of God over all things are the things that are central to our faith. And, conversely, the nature of spiritual gifts, the timing of certain eschatological matters, and the mode and timing of baptism we ought to put further to the edges of our system of faith. They are important, but they simply are central to salvation. When the world sees the church squabbling over these things, I think it could help us if we say out loud, "We acknowledge that there are disagreements among Christians. We're sinners, we're finite, we don't have the whole picture in front of us, and we all make mistakes. Just understand that we don't insist that every single “jot” be dotted and every “tittle” be crossed. There is variety, and we have to learn to live with that variety. Nevertheless, it's not so mushy that we don't know what we believe." I think the world can see and handle that. And if they hear an attitude acknowledging that there are Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, or others among us, and if they see us not throwing hate bombs over the wall it seems to me the world would see that, understand that, and sometimes even be impressed by it. The Gospel would find fertile soil to take root, grow, and flourish. This does not excuse us from study, prayer, and a clear understanding of our doctrines. It does reprimand us when we make every one of them a basis for fellowship and community. John certainly understood that. We would do well to follow his lead. We are going to look at some of these essentials in the next few days. It will not be comprehensive, but cursory. These things are the heart of the Gospel. Believe these things and have life!