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Does Doctrine Really Matter?
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Apr 18, 2019 07:09:56   #
Rose42
 
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in some amorphous sense that divorces "faith" from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Timothy 4:6;2 Timothy 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

Consider, for example, these well-known verses. Note the repeated use of words like truth, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, and understanding:

"Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10).

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:66).

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6).

"The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He wants us to use our minds. And one of the most vital duties facing every Christian—especially in an era (such as ours) when the church is overrun with contradictory ideas and spiritual confusion—is the duty of discernment.

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A142/does-doctrine-really-matter

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Apr 18, 2019 08:29:45   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
Excellent post...

Couldn't agree more...

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 08:53:55   #
bylm1-Bernie
 
Rose42 wrote:
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in some amorphous sense that divorces "faith" from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Timothy 4:6;2 Timothy 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

Consider, for example, these well-known verses. Note the repeated use of words like truth, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, and understanding:

"Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10).

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:66).

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6).

"The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He wants us to use our minds. And one of the most vital duties facing every Christian—especially in an era (such as ours) when the church is overrun with contradictory ideas and spiritual confusion—is the duty of discernment.

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A142/does-doctrine-really-matter
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in so... (show quote)




The way I see doctrine is as a breakdown of the Bible, analyzing each part. The Gospel is a very simple teaching, set forth in John 3:14-17, among other places. Doctrine is bringing these places together to learn more about how God works in his plan. I'm sure my explanation is oversimplified and can be taken apart by critics but it is how I see it.

Reply
 
 
Apr 18, 2019 08:56:03   #
Rose42
 
bylm1-Bernie wrote:
The way I see doctrine is as a breakdown of the Bible, analyzing each part. The Gospel is a very simple teaching, set forth in John 3:14-17, among other places. Doctrine is bringing these places together to learn more about how God works in his plan. I'm sure my explanation is oversimplified and can be taken apart by critics but it is how I see it.


Doesn’t look oversimplified to me.

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 10:17:17   #
bahmer
 
Rose42 wrote:
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in some amorphous sense that divorces "faith" from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Timothy 4:6;2 Timothy 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

Consider, for example, these well-known verses. Note the repeated use of words like truth, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, and understanding:

"Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10).

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:66).

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6).

"The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He wants us to use our minds. And one of the most vital duties facing every Christian—especially in an era (such as ours) when the church is overrun with contradictory ideas and spiritual confusion—is the duty of discernment.

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A142/does-doctrine-really-matter
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in so... (show quote)


Amen and Amen thank you for that post Rose and we all should follow these clear warnings of the apostles and the writer of Proverbs and Psalms as well as the New Testament again thanks.

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 12:11:35   #
rumitoid
 
Rose42 wrote:
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in some amorphous sense that divorces "faith" from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Timothy 4:6;2 Timothy 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

Consider, for example, these well-known verses. Note the repeated use of words like truth, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, and understanding:

"Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10).

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:66).

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6).

"The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He wants us to use our minds. And one of the most vital duties facing every Christian—especially in an era (such as ours) when the church is overrun with contradictory ideas and spiritual confusion—is the duty of discernment.

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A142/does-doctrine-really-matter
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in so... (show quote)


Excellent post. Thank you. The one thing that I want to add because I feel it is important is about non-essential doctrine. Unfortunately, many divisions into opposing sects within the Church and useless arguments are on matters inconsequential to faith and salvation. A person can go to heaven and not believe in the Rapture, the millennium, the Tribulation, and the gift of tongues. Yet these listed non-essential beliefs, the most popularly disputed, often divide believers and cause strife.

Paul calls them "disputable matters." Romans14:1-3: "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them."

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 12:28:48   #
rumitoid
 
Rose42 wrote:
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in some amorphous sense that divorces "faith" from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Timothy 4:6;2 Timothy 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

Consider, for example, these well-known verses. Note the repeated use of words like truth, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, and understanding:

"Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10).

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:66).

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6).

"The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He wants us to use our minds. And one of the most vital duties facing every Christian—especially in an era (such as ours) when the church is overrun with contradictory ideas and spiritual confusion—is the duty of discernment.

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A142/does-doctrine-really-matter
Is it enough to "believe in Jesus" in so... (show quote)


The reasons it is good to know essential doctrines are multiple. When we have essential truths of our faith we can properly proclaim the truth of who God is; properly proclaim what God requires for salvation; recognize errors that would jeopardize salvation; allow for a diversity of worship practices as long as the essentials are not violated.

Primary Essentials:

1. The Deity of Christ
John 8:24, "I said, therefore, to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins."
This is where Jesus clearly taught what you cannot deny and you must affirm.
Jesus is God in flesh (John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14). See also John 1:1, 14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8

2. Salvation by Grace
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace," (Gal. 5:4).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast," (Eph. 2:8-9).
Both these verses show salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, and that to add works is to not be saved.

3. The Resurrection of Christ
"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith," (1 Cor. 15:14). "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins," (1 Cor. 15:17).
These verses clearly state that if you say that Jesus did not rise from the dead in the same body He died in as he prophesied in John 2:19-21, then your faith is useless.

4. The Gospel
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Gal. 1:8-9, NIV).
1 Cor. 15:1-4 defines what the gospel is: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

5. Monotheism
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8)
“You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments," (Exodus 20:3-6).
We can see that God will visit iniquity on the descendants of those who do not follow the true and living God.
https://carm.org/essential-christian-doctrines

Reply
 
 
Apr 18, 2019 13:09:09   #
bylm1-Bernie
 
rumitoid wrote:
The reasons it is good to know essential doctrines are multiple. When we have essential truths of our faith we can properly proclaim the truth of who God is; properly proclaim what God requires for salvation; recognize errors that would jeopardize salvation; allow for a diversity of worship practices as long as the essentials are not violated.

Primary Essentials:

1. The Deity of Christ
John 8:24, "I said, therefore, to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins."
This is where Jesus clearly taught what you cannot deny and you must affirm.
Jesus is God in flesh (John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14). See also John 1:1, 14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8

2. Salvation by Grace
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace," (Gal. 5:4).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast," (Eph. 2:8-9).
Both these verses show salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, and that to add works is to not be saved.

3. The Resurrection of Christ
"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith," (1 Cor. 15:14). "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins," (1 Cor. 15:17).
These verses clearly state that if you say that Jesus did not rise from the dead in the same body He died in as he prophesied in John 2:19-21, then your faith is useless.

4. The Gospel
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Gal. 1:8-9, NIV).
1 Cor. 15:1-4 defines what the gospel is: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

5. Monotheism
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8)
“You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments," (Exodus 20:3-6).
We can see that God will visit iniquity on the descendants of those who do not follow the true and living God.
https://carm.org/essential-christian-doctrines
The reasons it is good to know essential doctrines... (show quote)




Sounds kind of like the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine, Rumi. Right on!

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 14:37:11   #
rumitoid
 
bylm1-Bernie wrote:
Sounds kind of like the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine, Rumi. Right on!


How in Heaven's name did you get the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine out of what I wrote? I do not follow another man's word about God, I follow the Word of Jesus Christ. As I am unsure whether or not you were being sarcastic, I will offer you a site for your perusal. I just took a cursory look at it as I have nothing to do with Calvin and Luther and Wesley, oh my! If it was a compliment, please ignore said site and thank you.
https://www.bible-truth.org/IsCalvinismBiblical.html#008

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 15:39:21   #
bylm1-Bernie
 
rumitoid wrote:
How in Heaven's name did you get the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine out of what I wrote? I do not follow another man's word about God, I follow the Word of Jesus Christ. As I am unsure whether or not you were being sarcastic, I will offer you a site for your perusal. I just took a cursory look at it as I have nothing to do with Calvin and Luther and Wesley, oh my! If it was a compliment, please ignore said site and thank you.
https://www.bible-truth.org/IsCalvinismBiblical.html#008



I'll have to admit, Rumi, I didn't read over your points nor compare them to TULIP, I was simply saying that they were 5 points like the Calvinistic doctrine. I see that one or two of them appear to be the same. I wasn't being sarcastic. What someone analyzes from the Bible doesn't mean that doesn't match what Christ said in the Gospels. As discussed in other posts, it may be viewed by some as accurate interpretations and others as not so accurate. That's where different denominations part company sometimes.

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 17:31:43   #
rumitoid
 
bylm1-Bernie wrote:
I'll have to admit, Rumi, I didn't read over your points nor compare them to TULIP, I was simply saying that they were 5 points like the Calvinistic doctrine. I see that one or two of them appear to be the same. I wasn't being sarcastic. What someone analyzes from the Bible doesn't mean that doesn't match what Christ said in the Gospels. As discussed in other posts, it may be viewed by some as accurate interpretations and others as not so accurate. That's where different denominations part company sometimes.
I'll have to admit, Rumi, I didn't read over your ... (show quote)


I see the reasons for your inference. Quite understandable.

Reply
 
 
Apr 18, 2019 23:57:59   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Refuting the Calvinist teaching of T.U.L.I.P. with Scripture


The familiar acrostic, TULIP, is used to remember what the "Dutch Reformed Church leaders" said the Bible teaches, totally ignoring God's clear Scriptures, perverting many more, and misusing others, 370 years ago at the Synod of Dordt (in the Netherlands).

Over 1,000 years before John Calvin's lifetime the same teaching was presented by the 5th century heretic, Augustine, whom John Calvin greatly admired. Following are Scriptures which refute the intrinsic errors of the Calvinist TULIP:


T = TOTAL DEPRAVITY (Calvinism taught this as the Total Inability of man to choose the Truth.)

The Word of God teaches that God created man with the ability to reason, choose, and receive the Truth.


Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

James 1:21: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls."

Isaiah1:18: "Come now, and let us Reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore Choose Life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

Joshua 24:15: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Psalm 119:30, 111, 173: "I have Chosen the Way of Truth: Thy Judgments have I laid before me.... Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for They are the rejoicing of my heart.... Let Thine hand help me; for I have chosen Thy Precepts."

John 1:12: "But as many as Received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

2 Timothy 1:12: "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have Committed unto Him against that day."


U = UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION (Calvinism teaches that God arbitrarily selects those who are to be saved without any condition, but the Bible teaches that there is one condition to salvation: faith.):

1 Peter 1:2: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."

2 Thessalonians 2:13: "...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth."

Luke 7:50: "... Thy faith hath saved thee ..."

Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."


L = LIMITED ATONEMENT (Calvinism teaches that Christ died only for the elect, but the Bible teaches that He died for ALL mankind. The reason not all are saved is because they failed to repent and receive the Savior, not because He didn't provide for their salvation.):

Isaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us ALL."

1 Timothy 4:10: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe."

1 John 2:2: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD."

Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN."

1 Timothy 2:4: "Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth."


I = IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (Calvinism teaches that God's grace for salvation cannot be resisted, but the Word of God says it can be resisted):

Lamentations 3:35-36: "To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not."

Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT!"

John 5:39-40: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And YE WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life."

Acts 7:51: "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."

Proverbs 1:24-26: "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."

Proverbs 29:1: "He, that being often reproved Hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."


P = PERSEVERANCE (The Bible teaches preservation of the saints; not perseverance of the saints):

Jude 1: "... to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and Preserved in Jesus Christ..."

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul, and body be Preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. "

John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand."

Colossians 3:3-4: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."


Conclusion:

Calvinism clearly errs from the teaching of the Word of God on all 5 points of it's TULIP. The logical conclusion of Calvinism is that God is an unfair respecter of persons who arbitrarily chooses people to salvation, not according to any standard that He established. This strikes at the love and justice of God, contradicts the fact that Christ gave his life for ALL the world, and rejects man's responsibility to choose and love his Creator.

Proverbs 24:23: "... It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment."

Acts 10:34-35: "... Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."

John 6:28-29: "... What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ... This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.

Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."


by Rev. Barry Gritters




bylm1-Bernie wrote:
Sounds kind of like the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine, Rumi. Right on!

Reply
Apr 19, 2019 07:32:29   #
Rose42
 
rumitoid wrote:
The reasons it is good to know essential doctrines are multiple. When we have essential truths of our faith we can properly proclaim the truth of who God is; properly proclaim what God requires for salvation; recognize errors that would jeopardize salvation; allow for a diversity of worship practices as long as the essentials are not violated.

Primary Essentials:

1. The Deity of Christ
John 8:24, "I said, therefore, to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins."
This is where Jesus clearly taught what you cannot deny and you must affirm.
Jesus is God in flesh (John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14). See also John 1:1, 14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8

2. Salvation by Grace
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace," (Gal. 5:4).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast," (Eph. 2:8-9).
Both these verses show salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, and that to add works is to not be saved.

3. The Resurrection of Christ
"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith," (1 Cor. 15:14). "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins," (1 Cor. 15:17).
These verses clearly state that if you say that Jesus did not rise from the dead in the same body He died in as he prophesied in John 2:19-21, then your faith is useless.

4. The Gospel
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Gal. 1:8-9, NIV).
1 Cor. 15:1-4 defines what the gospel is: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

5. Monotheism
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8)
“You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments," (Exodus 20:3-6).
We can see that God will visit iniquity on the descendants of those who do not follow the true and living God.
https://carm.org/essential-christian-doctrines
The reasons it is good to know essential doctrines... (show quote)


Agreed. Good article too.

Reply
Apr 19, 2019 09:25:56   #
Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX
 
This section has gone from blah, blah, blah to very enjoyable and educational. I'm blessed and I know it and I'm clapping my hands.

Reply
Apr 19, 2019 11:20:34   #
bylm1-Bernie
 
Zemirah wrote:
Refuting the Calvinist teaching of T.U.L.I.P. with Scripture


The familiar acrostic, TULIP, is used to remember what the "Dutch Reformed Church leaders" said the Bible teaches, totally ignoring God's clear Scriptures, perverting many more, and misusing others, 370 years ago at the Synod of Dordt (in the Netherlands).

Over 1,000 years before John Calvin's lifetime the same teaching was presented by the 5th century heretic, Augustine, whom John Calvin greatly admired. Following are Scriptures which refute the intrinsic errors of the Calvinist TULIP:


T = TOTAL DEPRAVITY (Calvinism taught this as the Total Inability of man to choose the Truth.)

The Word of God teaches that God created man with the ability to reason, choose, and receive the Truth.


Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

James 1:21: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls."

Isaiah1:18: "Come now, and let us Reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore Choose Life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

Joshua 24:15: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Psalm 119:30, 111, 173: "I have Chosen the Way of Truth: Thy Judgments have I laid before me.... Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for They are the rejoicing of my heart.... Let Thine hand help me; for I have chosen Thy Precepts."

John 1:12: "But as many as Received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

2 Timothy 1:12: "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have Committed unto Him against that day."


U = UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION (Calvinism teaches that God arbitrarily selects those who are to be saved without any condition, but the Bible teaches that there is one condition to salvation: faith.):

1 Peter 1:2: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."

2 Thessalonians 2:13: "...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth."

Luke 7:50: "... Thy faith hath saved thee ..."

Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."


L = LIMITED ATONEMENT (Calvinism teaches that Christ died only for the elect, but the Bible teaches that He died for ALL mankind. The reason not all are saved is because they failed to repent and receive the Savior, not because He didn't provide for their salvation.):

Isaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us ALL."

1 Timothy 4:10: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe."

1 John 2:2: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD."

Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN."

1 Timothy 2:4: "Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth."


I = IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (Calvinism teaches that God's grace for salvation cannot be resisted, but the Word of God says it can be resisted):

Lamentations 3:35-36: "To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not."

Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT!"

John 5:39-40: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And YE WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life."

Acts 7:51: "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."

Proverbs 1:24-26: "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."

Proverbs 29:1: "He, that being often reproved Hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."


P = PERSEVERANCE (The Bible teaches preservation of the saints; not perseverance of the saints):

Jude 1: "... to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and Preserved in Jesus Christ..."

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul, and body be Preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. "

John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand."

Colossians 3:3-4: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."


Conclusion:

Calvinism clearly errs from the teaching of the Word of God on all 5 points of it's TULIP. The logical conclusion of Calvinism is that God is an unfair respecter of persons who arbitrarily chooses people to salvation, not according to any standard that He established. This strikes at the love and justice of God, contradicts the fact that Christ gave his life for ALL the world, and rejects man's responsibility to choose and love his Creator.

Proverbs 24:23: "... It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment."

Acts 10:34-35: "... Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."

John 6:28-29: "... What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ... This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.

Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."


by Rev. Barry Gritters
Refuting the Calvinist teaching of T.U.L.I.P. with... (show quote)



Rev Barry Gritters lives about 5 miles from me! What an interesting discussion, Calvinism vs Arminianism, one I have participated in many times over the years. I have had a tough time with aspects of most all beliefs over the years, probably the doctrine of "Reprobation" has been, and still is, a hard one to understand. I have decided that most are kind of silly to debate (good mental exercise) but not necessary to understand the big picture of salvation. Have a nice Easter weekend!

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