NORMAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE EXPLAINED (Part 6)

Maybe you are a Christian, maybe not. There is so much information at the press of a button these days that it is important to know what is truth and what is not truth. In these series of blogs, we will present super basic beliefs that Chrisitans hold.

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The language in Church can be hard to figure out if you don’t go a lot or are new… or even if you skip around churches. Here are some common terms and what they mean. What don’t you understand? How is the term difficult?

Apostle: handpicked man by Jesus to lead His Church. Important because many of the Apostles (Matthew, John, Peter, Paul) were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write Scriptures down.  Our church teaches that the ‘office’ of Apostle died with the first apostles and there are not apostles today.

Baptism: Submersion in water signifying one’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Important because baptism is the entrance into the Kingdom of God when we are born again of the water and the Spirit (John 3).  It is at baptism we confess Jesus and are forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Bible: The infallible collection of books inspired by God that tell the story of how God saved humanity through history.  For Christians, it is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. Important because our faith is not based on the teachings of a human being, but rather on the Word of God and His true dealings with people throughout verifiable history.

Christian: A follower of Jesus Christ who has trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior is the only way for salvation (John 3:16, John 14:6, Acts 4:12) and fellowship with God only comes through Jesus.

Christ: The title of Jesus (not His last name) meaning He is the One God promised to send to save us from our sins.  Same word as ‘Messiah.’ Important because Jesus was not an accident, but The Plan.

Church Membership: Saying you identify with the church and agree with its teaching and want to join in ministering and helping with that local body. Important to have a group to grow with in your faith in Jesus Christ.  Becoming a member means you will volunteer to serve in the church; volunteer in the community seeking to spread the Gospel; tithe to the church on a regular basis; attend services, small groups, and other events regularly; agree with the doctrine and teachings of the church; will not encourage others in the church in sinful lifestyles; and accept the leadership of church leaders.  In our church, members are only baptized believers.

Confess: To admit, to make known about yourself, to declare faith. Important because Christians confess Jesus and confess sin and seek the forgiveness of God through Christ (Psalms 32:3-4, Romans 10:9-10, James 5:16, 1 John 1:6-9).

Cross: Jesus was killed by being nailed and hung on pieces of wood called a cross. Important because the suffering of Jesus and His death on the cross is our means of forgiveness of sin (Romans 5:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 12:1-2)

Doctrine: A teaching, a position in a body of teachings, a fundamental principle. Important to know what you believe and why because the world offers other philosophies and ways that lead to hurt and death.  See Colossians 2:8, Titus 2:1 and 1 Timothy 4:16 and 2 Timothy 4:3.

Faith: Allegiance to someone/something, belief and trust, belief in the unseen. Important because it is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1-6)

TMB