Thanks. By "trinitarian formula" I assume you mean baptizing "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:19)
I am told that not all Christians practice baptism by water. Is baptism required to become a Christian?
As for the creeds, I have several questions:
(1) Which version of each creed is definitive?
(2) The Nicene Creed dates from the fourth century; the Athanasian Creed is even later. What about those who lived before these creeds were formulated? Would they be considered Christians in your view?
(3) I am told that the Eastern Orthodox do not formally recognize either the Apostles' Creed or the Athanasian Creed. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.) Are they Christians?
It appears from all these threads that "Christians" are those that believe extra-Biblical creeds, and Mormons are not Christians because they teach stuff that is not in the Bible. How in the world they can say that with a straight face is beyond me. They will say if you don't believe in the creeds then you are not Christian, then go a quote from Rev that you cannot add to the Bible, and therefore Mormons are evil.
Your asking which version of a creed is definitive is the wrong question. The question should be "why are you teaching something that is not in the Bible?" After all, that is the ruler used to measure Mormons.
I think if we stuck to just the Bible, we would find that Mormons are very close to what is in there, and often far closer than creed-beliving "Christians."
That's begging the question.
Which version of each creed is definitive?
With the exception of the Filioque, I'm not aware of any significant differences in versions or translations.
The Nicene Creed dates from the fourth century; the Athanasian Creed is even later. What about those who lived before these creeds were formulated? Would they be considered Christians in your view?
Interesting question, but a red herring in the present discussion.
I am told that the Eastern Orthodox do not formally recognize either the Apostles' Creed or the Athanasian Creed. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.) Are they Christians?
Related to the issue of the Filioque, IMO. The Nicene Creed is the official creed of the EO, but Im not aware that the EO would deny anything in either of those other creeds (with the exception of the Filioque).