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Essential vs. Non-Essential

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by NetChaplain, Mar 20, 2013.

  1. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    Many biblical doctrines are misunderstood because of the way Scripture can appear to support numerous opposing views within Soteriology (the doctrines of salvation). This is because nearly any false teaching can be supported on partial Scripture, but truth is supported on the whole. (Hermeneutics—Scripture interpreting Scripture).

    As you may know, in Soteriology there are essential and non-essential scriptural doctrines concerning the impartation of Grace (receiving salvation), i.e. believing that salvation is only through Christ is essential doctrine for receiving salvation; believing O.S.A.S. (once saved always saved—which I believe Scripture supports) is non-essential for receiving salvation. We are all aware there is a multitude of Christians who have numerous opposing beliefs within non-essential doctrine, but it is within essential doctrine that unification is established in the "Household of God" (Eph 2:19).

    Essential doctrine establishes faith and non-essential doctrine establishes growth in faith. Therefore, Christians who unknowingly believe in the false non-essential and also disbelieves in the true non-essential will be impeded in their spiritual growth, but will be in the faith with the essentials.

    Weakness in the faith refers to misunderstanding, being ignorant of, or disbelieving in a scriptural doctrine, in which case impedes one from using it for learning and encouragement. Paul's indication of one being "weak in the faith" in Romans 14 was in similar reference to what Peter encountered in his "Joppa" vision (Acts 10:14, 15), which indicates that Peter was ignorant at that time (the Lord was revealing this for the first time) that in the "New Covenant" dispensation, the ordinances which were against the eating of certain animals was "taken away" (Heb 10:9; 1 Tim 4:4, 5; Matt 15:11), which Peter eventually learned that He was also referring to the receiving of the Gentiles.

    This example of Peter's is analogous to any unlearned true scriptural doctrine and if the believer is unaware of it, the teaching cannot be received and utilized. All Christians will be "caught up together" at the same time, “to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:17) and the only historical difference between them will have been the quantity of encouragement due to spiritual growth.

    Simply put, not finding truth results solely from not seeking it (Matt 7:7; Luke 11:9).
     
  2. Thomas Helwys

    Thomas Helwys New Member

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    So, how is it determined what is essential and what is non-essential?
     
  3. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    From the bible, and from Historal understandings of those essential truths to beheld!


    The essentials are such as The Death of jesus as ONLY atonement for sin, saved by faith alone/grace alone/second coming/bible as infallible word of god

    Within thsoe essentials though are disagreeable positions can and have been held, such as modes of baptism, timing of secondcoming, etc!
     
  4. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    If God puts doctrine in the Bible for our understanding and edification, do we then call it non-essential.
    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable...
     
  5. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    all essential, but would say that some are primary in importance, in that ALL chrsitians must hold in same way, such as Jesus atoning for sins, raised again, trinity, second coming etc

    But the secondary aspects would be klike some seeing it A mil/pre Mil rapture
    differing views on atonement like substitutionary/moral influence/etc!
     
  6. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    Hi TH - I'm posting another article which addresses the questions and comments in this thread entitled "Sola fide en Solus Christus: Faith Alone in Christ Alone."
     
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