What doctrines are essential for salvation and which aren't?

What doctrines are essential for salvation and which aren't?

Salvation is by GOD'S choosing and willing; it
is GOD's work. Election is necessary for
salvation, justification is essential to
salvation. Reconciliation is the fruit of
salvation.

i would say the doctrines of faith and repentance.

If they believe and repent they will be saved.

Pardon me for asking, but... Is this a serious question?

Hello all,

so so far grace alone and faith alone ect.

Yes, this is a serious question.

So far I agree with you.

I think more so of what I am asking though is a little more broad in scope.

Let's say hypothetically for instance that the Catholic's do not believe in salvation by works but grace. Will they still go to hell because of other false doctrines like that Rome is the only true Church and way to God?

Or lets say hypothetically the JW's don't believe in salvation by works but grace. Can they be saved though they do not believe Jesus was God?

Or what of Oneness teachers who teach salvation by faith and grace. Can they be saved though they do not hold to the view that God has 3 different personalities (trinity)?

Or if the LDS do not believe salvation by works. Can they be saved in that they think they will one day be a god yet still worship God as their God?

If a muslim does not believe salvation by works. Can a Muslim be saved if in their heart they truly seek God like Billy Graham would say and it maybe be accounted to them as those in the OT before the time of Christ if they have not heard?

Where does false teaching become to the point where one will not have salvation? Or maybe some in these cults are ignorant of these doctrines? Or maybe they are unwillingly deceived? Or maybe they have just not thought certain parts through as babes? This is more of what I am asking which and where does it cross the line?

anonymity wrote:
What doctrines are essential for salvation and which aren't?

Born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14)

He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15)

He died for the sins of the world on the cross (1John 2:2).

Was dead for three nights & two/three days (He rose on the third day) Matthew 12:40

In verification of Gods' acceptance of Jesus' death for the sins of the world, He rose on the the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4)

Repentence (Acts 2:37b-38, Acts 3:19, Acts 8:22, Acts 17:30)

Jesus ascended to heaven in the flesh (glorified flesh) Acts 1:9

Now sits at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for the saints (Romans 8:34;).

He is coming back for His bride (1 Thes 4:14-17).

Any thing else is non-essential.

what about 'being saved by grace'?

You didn't list that one. Does it matter?

Any thing else is non-essential.

Brother for once we agree! and I rejoice!

You didn't list that one. Does it matter?

To me, if you believe the things that Logic listed it is evidence of God's grace having saved you.

We may disagree on the "world" part, but that isn't essential to salvation.

That's true. I was just curious.

You say these are essential for salvation, but how do you know?

Also, you did not mention all the other things like believing you can become a god ect as to whether they were essential.

you can become a god

That is nowhere in Scripture

Are you asking this for yourself or for someone else, I'm curious?

anonymity wrote:
You say these are essential for salvation, but how do you know?

Also, you did not mention all the other things like believing you can become a god etc as to whether they were essential.

Believing you can become a god is not biblical.

I would categorize that as "essential un-salvation doctrines".
The ones which might make voide your salvation even if you believe the ones I listed.
:-(

[i]Lk 23:40-43 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Jesus answered him, [color=CC3300]“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”[/color][/i]

I don't think that any doctrine or belief system is necessary. This criminal was accepted by Jesus even before his death, his resurrection, his ascension, or his promise to return.

All that is essential is true life-changing faith in Christ and total submission to his Lordship. Of course, if there is time, true faith will lead to a hunger for the Word, and to a knowledge of God's will as revealed by the Holy Spirit. In this case, the criminal had no time for any of that, but he was saved.

Maybe with some essential doctrines there are no scriptures saying you must believe them to be saved.

I do think of one in 1st John saying if Jesus did not come in the flesh it is anti Christ.

I think maybe we just have to discern the importance of the doctrine and believe that if one has the Holy Spirit that they therefore could not be so far off from major truths.

However, I think in some cases that there may be some mercy depending on ignorance, raised up in compromise, ect.

Also, some major doctrines may link together with doctrines that deal with the Gospel. For instance if Jesus were not God then how can His sacrifice be sufficient.

However, I believe I am still asking to some degree what doctrines are essential and what aren't. If one says they are going to become a god, or that Christ is not God, then I surely can see why that would be essential. But, what about other doctrines like if you hold to a Oneness view of God and not a Trinitarian one or other like that that may not seem to touch the Gospel ect but are just mainline creeds?

Leo, hmm that is an interesting thought.

And, you know many are raised up in false doctrine so it is hard to get past it. I mean I remember witnessing to JW's and it messed with my head a lot. Or think of the saints in China who had no Bible's and had a lot of troubles with doctrines.

"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

"...Believe on [b]the Lord Jesus Christ[/b] and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16.30,31)

...Not on a creed or system of doctrines, but on a Person.

Leo wrote:

I don't think that any doctrine or belief system is necessary. This criminal was accepted by Jesus even before his death, his resurrection, his ascension, or his promise to return.

All that is essential is true life-changing faith in Christ and total submission to his Lordship. Of course, if there is time, true faith will lead to a hunger for the Word, and to a knowledge of God's will as revealed by the Holy Spirit. In this case, the criminal had no time for any of that, but he was saved.

"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16.30,31)

...Not on a creed or system of doctrines, but on a Person.

Now correct Doctrine is VERY important and what we inderstand and believe about Jesus Christ, who He is and what He did is very important....BUT if we think we can be [b]saved[/b] by believing doctrine....then God help us!

I would accept that it is possoble for someone to have completely wrong thinking about Christ and His redemptive work and therefore not be saved. For example if one were to believe that Jesus was a just [i]good example[/i] to follow and that was all, he could not be saved as he would not recognise his utter sinfulness and that only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ could release him from that debt. However if we go down the road of [i]having the right doctrine[/i]to be saved, then we miss the point as has been stated by Leo and ADisciple, It is believing [b]on[/b] (not about) the [b]person[/b] of Jesus Christ in all that He truely is. Acts 16:31.

Otherwise we will be in danger of producing a dead fundamentalism, which people like Tozer and Duncam Campbell warned about. Having all the right doctrines, but no heart submission to the lordship of christ.....God forbid!

"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16.30,31) ...Not on a creed or system of doctrines, but on a Person.