12 Declarations of a Christian (Vanity Survey)

Tiger Survey ^ | April 13, 2008 | Edward Watson

[Edward Watson]

Arguments about religion have constantly erupted on Free Republic. This internicene sniping frequently devolved into personal attacks against others just because of religious differences. We all need to step back from this conflict and look around at the world - yes, there's a religious war that's about to erupt but it isn't between Christians.

If we are to save our world from barbarism, if we are to save our nations and the best and most humanitarian societies the world has ever known; we must come together, as Christians, despite the differences of our denominations and branches. We need to hold each other's hands and join forces - no more exaggeration of differences. We must also stand together with anyone, regardless of belief or disbelief, as long as they want to preserve our freedom and way of life. United we stand; divided we fall.

For this end, I have devised a list of common Christian beliefs that all Catholics, Eastern Christians, Mormons, and around 95% of Protestants can wholeheartedly affirm. It is my belief that whoever affirms all 12 Declarations is a Christian, regardless of any unique beliefs that pertain only to his or her denomination. Feel free to think it through and participate in my survey at the sourced link on Tiger Survey (http://tigersurvey.com/survey.php?survey=5654), so I can get a better idea of what should be included or excluded, and why.

Thanks everyone!

The Twelve Declarations of a Christian

1. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God and Savior of Mankind

2. The Holy Bible is the Word of God and is authoritative over us

3. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are “One God”

4. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ

5. Christ’s followers are saved by his Grace

6. Christ was sinless throughout his life and substituted himself for us

7. Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant between God and man

8. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, died on the cross, and rose from the dead

9. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, Messiah, Intercessor, Lamb of God, Creator, Son of Man, First and Last, Rock, Foundation, the I AM, and our Judge

10. Christ experienced a single mortality and has an immortal body

11. Jesus Christ is the only source of Salvation and the greatest name possible

12.We take upon ourselves the name of Christ, pray to the Father in his name, worship and obey him

[rjp2005]

How about the Nicene Creed?

[doc1019]

Interesting thought. I am a Baptists as well. However, I, and my antecedents (in faith) of the European Anti-Baptist movement, were some of the original protesters of the Catholic faith … thus, protestants. I am not and Anti-Baptist (just an old fashion fundamentalist, independent sort), just tossing in some history. ;-)

As far as coming out … no, just protesters of the Catholic faith, no coming out needed. Puritans were Protestants and most of them were never members of the Catholic church.

[Wilhelm Tell]

We are unlikely to write something better than what has already been written — most people who call themselves Christians should be able to agree on the Nicene Creed. We are being attacked by the Marxists on one side and the Islamists on the other side. The Marxists are determined to overthrow civilization and give the ruins to the Islamists. Civilization nearly fell in the past because Christians could not work together.

[Elsiejay]

Thank you, brother. This confessionial Lutheran salutes you, and grasps your hand in fellowship.

[Jonah Johansen]

There was a scholar of the law 11 who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
________________________________________

I am confused; are people saying that Jesus left something out or gave an incomplete answer?
It seems pretty clear to me that he was asked a simple direct question, he gave a simple direct answer.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Do you know of anyone who always fulfills those two commandments completely? Me, neither. Perhaps Jesus was illustrating something besides a realistic way of being saved.

[Boagenes]

Nothing in the list of 12 points that I would disagree with. I think this is a common base for all Christians. You could easily look to the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, or even Athanasian Creed to get the same things.

I would say that anyone who disagrees with any of these 12 points is probably not a Christian or is part of a heretical or apostate denomination.

[mountainbunny]

We must also stand together with anyone, regardless of belief or disbelief, as long as they want to preserve our freedom and way of life. United we stand; divided we fall.

I could not possibly disagree with this more.

I'm Roman Catholic, because that is what my heart, soul and mind tell me is correct.

I refuse to proselytize in an overt way online; at the same time, I feel no need to agree to agree just because it's the nice thing to do. If what I believe is correct, compromising on anything less is morally wrong and dangerous.

False unity is not unity.

[Boagenes]

He gave a correct answer to those who live "under the Law". If you sin, and break the Law, break the commandments, then you have lost eternal life. That's the rub. Jews repented of sin and were cleansed of it via the Temple system of sacrifice.

Christ came to establish the New Covenant, in his blood, for salvation. He (according to Hebrews) is our "great High Priest" who was the atoning sacrifice for all, and for all time. He is the Messiah, the paschal lamb, the perfect sacrifice, who lived the perfect, sinless life we could not. He took our sins on himself (Isaiah 53) and made "intercession for the transgressors".

When Jesus made that comment he hadn't yet been crucified and was just into his ministry. His ministry lasted three years. So his answer was correct. But he came to establish a new law and a new covenant. As he said, he did not come to come to overthrow the Law, but to fulfill it.

[TheDon]

3. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are “One God”
4. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ

Mormons do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity, but rather that God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three different beings. The rest of the list are beliefs shared by Mormons.

[raygun]

Eh, perhaps a minor detail, but it is significant.

Eph 2:4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Verse 4 talks about “mercy”. Mercy is compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power, pity, or benevolence with regards to mitigating or pardon from deserved punishment.

In the next verse Paul talks about “grace” which is unmerited favor.

God displayes the latter with the former by allowing Christ’s work done on the cross, the shedding of His blood as a proptitiatory sacrifice, vicarious in nature (we don’t experience it personally - but look to it), and that by faith in God’s promise it IS indeed efficatiou.

This can be seen in John 3:14a where Christ made reference to the brazen serpent. The Jews only had to LOOK at the brazen serpent to be healed from the fiery serpents. And so must the Son of man be lifted up he says in v14b. v15 makes the correlation of God’s promise with belief quite clear.

Then Christ repeats himself in v16 regarding faith:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

To whom is Jesus referring in this discourse? Himself? I think not, He’s referring to the Father’s promise that a Redeemer would come. Grace has always been dispensed through faith. Abraham was counted righteous for his faith, not his works. Lot was saved not because of his deeds (pretty heinous actually), but because God found favor IN him.

It is said, “What is man that though art mindfull of him? And the Son of man, though he was made lower than the angels for a little while, that He should visitith him?”

John 3:16 tells us WHY, and in:

2Pe 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God’s love for us compells His grace to be manifested as a GIFT of mercy that is wholly effective by faith. The gift offered is salvation from something and redemption to something. By Christ’s finished work on the cross, His blood being shed, and suffering the ultimate indignity (as a blemishless lamb), He purchased us out of the slave market of sin and gave us our freedom.

As a sinnless man he needed no salvation, but in so being a man and not under the condemnation He could assume the penalty for our transgressions against the Lord. This is purely a legal matter.

John makes this very clear:

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Have you “heard” God’s word?

Have you “believed” what God said and trust that Christ IS your savior?

Does “HAS evervlasting life” mean later or right now?

Does it say “SHALL not come into judgement” or “MIGHT not come into judgement”?

Does it say “HAS passed from death” or “SHALL pass”?

Eternal life is based on fact, not feeling. It is based on faith not proof. Because faith is based on that which is not seen. For if you see it, then what do you need faith for?

[raygun]

I don't know what you're talking about there. Anti-baptists? How about Anabaptists? which were a member of any of various Protestant sects in Europe that denied the validity of infant baptism, baptized believers only, and advocated social and economic reforms as well as the complete separation of church and state.

The term became prevalent by 1532 as "one who baptizes over again," from Latin anabaptismus "second baptism" (used in literal sense from 4th century.), as from Greek ana- "up (in place or time), back again, anew" + baptismos "baptism." The English in reference to the sect with origins in Germany, 1521, that practiced adult baptisms. Probably so called because, as a new faith, they baptized converts who had already been baptized (as infants) in the older Christian churches. Modern branches only baptize once (adults) and do not actively seek converts. The name also was applied, usually opprobriously, to Baptists, perhaps due to the multiple immersions of their baptisms.

However, even in modern times those who've been baptized as infants, and realize that they actually were "born again" (baptism in the Spirit) was subsequent to their original baptism as an infant (fully comprehend the fundamental doctrine pertaining to water baptism, and what is necessary for salvation), may undergo a second baptism; in so doing are proclaiming that they fundamentally Anabaptist on principle. Ex-Catholic, Ex-Lutheran, et ali, who leave their respective denominations due to perceived Scriptural unsoundness, and migrating to a more fundamental doctrine, and New Testament focused worship, e.g., as is adhered to by independent "Plymouth Brethren" - open or closed - assemblies of believers in Christ, might practice anabaptism.

Baptists in general are predominantly Calvinist in their theology, although Independent congregations may be more liberal in that regard. However, even if they are utterly devoid of any Calvinist doctrine, the fundamental tenet of the Baptist faith, and one that is common among most other Christian denominations, is that water baptism is required (in addition to faith in Christ's attoning work on the cross for salvation).

[BnBlFlag]

“..........the fundamental tenet of the Baptist faith....is that Water Baptism is required (in addition to faith in Christ’s atoning on the ross for salvation)”.
I know of no Southern Baptist Church that teaches that Baptism is neccessary for Salvation. 
They belive it is an ordinance just as Communion/The Lord’s Supper is. Baptism is required to join the Baptist Church however if you are Unbaptised or Baptised in another Denomination.

[raygun]

There's more too it than that though. One should read all the acounts of similar encounters, i.e., Mar 10:17; Luk 18:18. Christ there is teaching to forsake the pursuit of worldly materialness and to follow Him. First he makes the distinction concerning who is "good" and then told the questioner what the basis for righteousness is (the Law). He ultimately gives an oblique answer in that only by "following" Christ can one inherit eternal life (the Law is useless in that regard).

But in the passage cited by Jonah Johansen (Luk 10:25), a "lawyer" was trying to trip him up with his legaleze. However, Christ spared the question about who is good and delved right into how the lawyer reads the Law? The lawyers response showed perfect understanding of the Law (the first part found in Deu 6:3; 11:13, the second part in Lev 19:18). In the first passage love of God is stipulated, but in the second the admonition is made to uphold the Law, and to serve the Lord as you love Him.

Jesus told him that if you do that in perpetuity, then you will live.

The lawyer saw at once that he had convicted himself of asking a question that he already knew (and Jesus seen right through his deceitful heart). In his embarrassment he asks another question to show that he did have some point at first: And who is my neighbour? (kai tis estin mou plêsion;). The Jews split hairs over this question and excluded from "neighbour" Gentiles and especially Samaritans. So here was his loop-hole. A neighbour is a nigh dweller to one, but the Jews made racial exceptions as many, alas, do today. The word plêsion here is an adverb (neuter of the adjective plêsios) meaning ho plêsion ôn (the one who is near), but ôn was usually not expressed and the adverb is here used as if a substantive.

Jesus then proceeds to needle him but good, and with a prick sharper than a hypdermic. By v37 the lawyer saw the point and gave the correct answer, but he gulped at the word "Samaritan" and refused to say that (they were considered to be "niggers"). Jesus said: Do thou (su poiei), the emphasis on "thou." Would this Jewish lawyer act the neighbour to a Samaritan? This parable of the Good Samaritan has built the world's hospitals and, if understood and practised, will remove race prejudice, national hatred and war, class jealousy. All of that would be very Christ-like (following Christ as discussed previously).

However, the point here is NOT to consider our brother/neighbor as we consider ourselves. That is indeed impossible, for we all are numero uno to ourselves; if its life and death between two of us, self preservation dictates a prudent course. What Christ is referring to here is that we should consider our brother/neighbor's needs as we consider our own needs.

A similar encounter was had by Jesus later in his ministry. But the question didn't pertain to inheriting eternal life, but a legal issue pertaining to the Law.

Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

In Marks account (12:28-31), Christ says in v31 "...There is none other commandment greater than these." Here he says the Law is at an end.

In Matthew's account, Jesus turned the tables on these dorks asking:

Mat 22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I know there is some really skewed historical stuff out there, but until the Reformation, it pretty much WAS Catholics (Roman and Eastern Orthodox). After the Reformation, then the fun began. But, there were no Southern Baptists during Martin Luther’s time or before.

Actually, all throughout the history of Christianity, from the time when the state-churches/catholic churches started to really gain ground after Constantine, all the way up to the Reformation, there were baptistic groups which existed wholly and completely outside the catholic systems (and were usualyl slandered and persecuted by them). It is to them, and not to either the Catholics or Protestants, that I would look to as my spiritual antecedents.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Interesting thought. I am a Baptists as well. However, I, and my antecedents (in faith) of the European Anti-Baptist movement, were some of the original protesters of the Catholic faith … thus, protestants. I am not and Anti-Baptist (just an old fashion fundamentalist, independent sort), just tossing in some history. ;-)

Oh my, the Anabaptists were certainly not, by a long shot, the first baptistic group to be in opposition to Rome! There was all kinds of groups which existed over time - Waldenses, Paulicians, Arnoldists, Albigenses, all the way back - who, while not being with IFBs on every doctrine, did take a clear stand against paedobaptism, caesaropapism, paopcaesarism, and held many of the "distinctive" doctrines of the historical Baptist positions. Many of these have been slandered in these later days by Roman Catholic historians, but when you look into their actual histories and writings (such as have survived), they were typically NOT what the Catholics portrayed them to be.

As far as coming out … no, just protesters of the Catholic faith, no coming out needed. Puritans were Protestants and most of them were never members of the Catholic church.

Well, the Catholic system is a wicked and pagan system, so it, above all other things, would present true believers with the opportunity to "come out from among them" per II Corinthians 6:18!

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

However, even if they are utterly devoid of any Calvinist doctrine, the fundamental tenet of the Baptist faith, and one that is common among most other Christian denominations, is that water baptism is required (in addition to faith in Christ's attoning work on the cross for salvation).

Required for what? Salvation? If so, then what you are describing is not even a fundamental tenet of biblical Christian faith period, much less of the Baptistic position within that larger sphere.

Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord which occurs after salvation. It is not involved IN salvation. Even the verse (I Peter 3:21), which heretics love to claim "proves" we need baptism to be saved, in context shows only that baptism is a "like figure", along with the OT type of Noah's ark, which demonstrates the safety given the soul through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not by any earthly act. Baptism is an outward and visible confession by a new believer of what has inwardly taken place when they died to their old sin and rose again to new life through Christ's own sacrifice and resurrection.

Paedobaptism does not fulfill this, and indeed, cannot. The state religionist idea that we need paedobaptism to "enter into a covenant" is bogus.

Baptism most certainly is not "required", however, for salvation. It is the next step of obedience for a Christian who wants to be walking with God, but it is not necessary for them to get to heaven. The thief on the cross in Luke 23:40-43 amply shows this.

[Elsie]

The Twelve Declarations of a Christian

 

 

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Articles of Faith

The Articles of Faith outline 13 basic points of belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor,
in response to Mr. Wentworth's request to know what members of the Church believed.
They were subsequently published in Church periodicals.
They are now regarded as scripture and included in the Pearl of Great Price.

 

 

 

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541

 

 

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

 

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Definitions of creed:

• From the Latin word "credere" -- to believe. A short statement of religious belief, usually motivated by a desire to emphasize church teaching as opposed to a heresy.
• A formal summary of religious belief; an authoritative statement of doctrine
• Any system of principles or beliefs
• Religious doctrine: the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
• A creed is a statement or confession of belief — usually religious belief — or faith.
• A statement of religious beliefs agreed by the church to be true.
• A system of religious beliefs, including moral or ethical beliefs about right and wrong, that are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.
• A statement of faith binding upon a given religious body.
• A statement of faith. 
• A formal statement of religious belief/proclamation of faith 

 

 

[AnAmericanMother]

Not I!

(Read back. It's a joke.)

[greyfoxx39]

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