ECT Statement of Faith

[God's Truth]

In my opinion, GT, there is nothing wrong with a statement of faith. It usually details the exact beliefs held by that group it is attached to. Granted, many will follow blindly these statements. And that is of course, where error enters.

But to simply make a profession of what one's doctrines are is actually a good thing. It allows outsiders to see exactly what a particular group adheres to/believes.

We are never told to make statements of faith in Scripture. But we were also never told the percentage of taxes to pay to corrupt governments. Yes we are told to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's," but does that mean if we are being robbed by the government to just keep bending to their will? If that was the case, it is okay to have abortions if you live in China. I know this has gone into somewhat of a tangent, but it just demonstrates that doing "only what is clearly stated in the Bible" is a false argument. Because we all do things, good and necessary, that are not found therein.

In closing, I find no fault in making a statement of faith. The statement may be riddled with falsehoods, but the formulation of the statement is more helpful than hindering to outsiders.


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I find nothing that you said here as support from the scriptures for making manmade statements of faith.

 

[jsanford108]

I find nothing that you said here as support from the scriptures for making manmade statements of faith.

That's my whole point, friend. There is no Scripture about it. Not any forbidding it, none approving it.

I am saying that they are just indications of what a particular group believes, whether truths or falsehoods. It is only when people blindly believe them that they become authoritative. And let's be honest, most statements of faith have falsehoods, contradictory to Scripture, in them. It just helps those of us not in these groups know what they believe.


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[Nihilo]

The following is a Statement of Faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as presented by the Charles Simeon Trust organization, that I find sound, thorough, and agreeable.

Are there others here on TOL who would agree with this SoF?


"1. We affirm that the Gospel entrusted to the Church is, in the first instance, God’s Gospel (Mark 1:14, Rom 1:1). God is its author and He reveals it to us in and by His word. Its authority and trust rest on Him alone.

We deny that the truth or authority of the Gospel derives from any human insight or invention (Gal 1:1-11). We also deny that the truth or authority of the Gospel rests on the authority of any particular church or human institution.

2. We affirm that the Gospel is the saving power of God in that the Gospel effects salvation to everyone who believes, without distinction (Rom 1:16). This efficacy of the Gospel is by the power of God Himself.

We deny that the power of the Gospel rests in the eloquence of the preacher, the technique of the evangelist or the persuasion of rational argument (1 Cor 1:21, 2:1-5).

3. We affirm that all men and women are created in the image of God, after his likeness and together exercising dominion over all creation. We likewise affirm that the gospel diagnoses the universal human condition, after the Fall, as one of sinful rebellion against God, which if unchanged, will lead each person to eternal loss under God’s condemnation (Gen 1:26-28, Rom 3:9-26).

We deny any rejection of the creation of men and women in God’s image or, subsequently, the fallenness of human nature. We likewise deny that, with respect to justification by faith from such fallenness, there is any distinction among ethnicities, social statuses, or genders (Rom 5:18-21, Gal 3:23-28).

4. We affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, the only mediator between God and humanity (John 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5).

We deny that anyone is saved in any other way than by Jesus Christ and His Gospel. The Bible offers no hope that sincere worshippers of other religions will be saved without personal faith in Jesus Christ.

5. We affirm that the Church is commanded by God and is therefore under divine obligation to preach the Gospel to every living person (Luke 24:47; Matt 28:18-19).

We deny that any particular class or group of persons, whatever their ethnic or cultural identity, may be ignored or passed over in the preaching of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:19-22). God purposes a global Church made up from people of every tribe, language and nation (Rev 7:9).

6. We affirm that faith in Jesus Christ as the divine Word (or Logos, John 1:1), the second Person of the Trinity, co-eternal and co-essential with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Heb 1:3) is foundational to faith in the Gospel.

We deny that any view of Jesus Christ which reduces or rejects his full deity is Gospel faith or will avail to salvation.

7. We affirm that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (John 1:14). The virgin-born descendant of David (Rom 1:3), he had a true human nature, was subject to the Law of God (Gal 4:5), and was like us at all points, except without sin (Heb 2:17, 7:26-28). We affirm that faith in the true humanity of Christ is essential to faith in the Gospel.

We deny that anyone who rejects the humanity of Christ, his incarnation, or his sinlessness, or who maintains that these truths are not essential to the Gospel, will be saved (1 John 4:2-3).

8. We affirm that the atonement of Christ by which, in his obedience, he offered a perfect sacrifice, propitiating the Father by paying for our sins and satisfying divine justice on our behalf according to God’s eternal plan, is an essential element of the Gospel.

We deny that any view of the atonement that rejects the substitutionary satisfaction of divine justice, accomplished vicariously for believers, is compatible with the teaching of the Gospel.

9. We affirm that Christ’s saving work included both his life and his death on our behalf (Gal 3:13). We declare that faith in the perfect obedience of Christ by which he fulfilled all the demand of the Law of God in our behalf is essential to the Gospel.

We deny that our salvation was achieved merely or exclusively by the death of Christ without reference to his life of perfect righteousness.

What's the Gospel?

10. We affirm that the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead is essential to the biblical Gospel (1 Cor 15:14).

There it is!

'Sure is a lot of words before actually saying what the Gospel is.

"He is risen." Matthew 28:6 (KJV) Mark 16:6 (KJV) Luke 24:6 (KJV)

Romans 10:9 (KJV)

 

[Nang]

What's the Gospel?
There it is!

'Sure is a lot of words before actually saying what the Gospel is.

"He is risen." Matthew 28:6 (KJV) Mark 16:6 (KJV) Luke 24:6 (KJV)

Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof of His deity, authority, sinless person, attributes, etc.

However, the Gospel message is not so simplistic, either.

It is fine to say, "He is risen" but is it a full Gospel message?

Who, What, Why, and How does the resurrection guarantee the covenant promises of God?

All explanation of such total victory over death, is required to be a part of a Christian's evangelistic message.

 

[Nihilo]

Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof of His deity, authority, sinless person, attributes, etc.

However, the Gospel message is not so simplistic, either.

Perhaps you're underestimating the importance of the RESURRECTION. And also, perhaps, what you're seeing and calling "simplistic," is actually precisely the focus that lacks from modern attempts at evangelism. If the college of bishops in communion with the successor of Peter are right, and the RESURRECTION is the central truth and the crowning truth of the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV); and, if Paul is right, in essentially saying that whatever else the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV) is or teaches or believes, that without the RESURRECTION, and without the RESURRECTION only---which means, not without anything else---the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV) is worth NOTHING; then I conclude that it is not possible to oversimplify the Gospel in limiting it to the RESURRECTION. Especially in evangelism.

It is fine to say, "He is risen" but is it a full Gospel message?

lain: Don't dare even accidentally minimize the importance of the single article of faith that Romans 10:9 (KJV) says is both necessary and sufficient for salvation. Don't do it.

Who, What, Why, and How does the resurrection guarantee the covenant promises of God?

lain: He is risen!

All explanation of such total victory over death, is required to be a part of a Christian's evangelistic message.

You are wicked¹, wicked¹ distracting, from the Good News that He is risen!


¹ - Yes, I'm from New England.

 

[patrick jane]

Perhaps you're underestimating the importance of the RESURRECTION. And also, perhaps, what you're seeing and calling "simplistic," is actually precisely the focus that lacks from modern attempts at evangelism. If the college of bishops in communion with the successor of Peter are right, and the RESURRECTION is the central truth and the crowning truth of the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV); and, if Paul is right, in essentially saying that whatever else the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV) is or teaches or believes, that without the RESURRECTION, and without the RESURRECTION only---which means, not without anything else---the one Christian faith (Eph4:5KJV) is worth NOTHING; then I conclude that it is not possible to oversimplify the Gospel in limiting it to the RESURRECTION. Especially in evangelism.
lain: Don't dare even accidentally minimize the importance of the single article of faith that Romans 10:9 (KJV) says is both necessary and sufficient for salvation. Don't do it.
lain: He is risen!
You are wicked¹, wicked¹ distracting, from the Good News that He is risen!


¹ - Yes, I'm from New England.

Nihilo Wins !!!

 

[God's Truth]

That's my whole point, friend. There is no Scripture about it. Not any forbidding it, none approving it.

I am saying that they are just indications of what a particular group believes, whether truths or falsehoods. It is only when people blindly believe them that they become authoritative. And let's be honest, most statements of faith have falsehoods, contradictory to Scripture, in them. It just helps those of us not in these groups know what they believe.


Sent from my iPhone using TOL

I only want God's Truth. I don't add or subtract, and I am careful not to lean to the left or to the right. Jesus says traditions nullify God's word. Statements of faith just are not from God so I don't believe in them.

 

[shopkinslpskids]

It sounds good to me. But most theology is over my head. I just stick to the KJV Bible.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Interplanner]

The following is a Statement of Faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as presented by the Charles Simeon Trust organization, that I find sound, thorough, and agreeable.

Are there others here on TOL who would agree with this SoF?


"1. We affirm that the Gospel entrusted to the Church is, in the first instance, God’s Gospel (Mark 1:14, Rom 1:1). God is its author and He reveals it to us in and by His word. Its authority and trust rest on Him alone.

We deny that the truth or authority of the Gospel derives from any human insight or invention (Gal 1:1-11). We also deny that the truth or authority of the Gospel rests on the authority of any particular church or human institution.

2. We affirm that the Gospel is the saving power of God in that the Gospel effects salvation to everyone who believes, without distinction (Rom 1:16). This efficacy of the Gospel is by the power of God Himself.

We deny that the power of the Gospel rests in the eloquence of the preacher, the technique of the evangelist or the persuasion of rational argument (1 Cor 1:21, 2:1-5).

3. We affirm that all men and women are created in the image of God, after his likeness and together exercising dominion over all creation. We likewise affirm that the gospel diagnoses the universal human condition, after the Fall, as one of sinful rebellion against God, which if unchanged, will lead each person to eternal loss under God’s condemnation (Gen 1:26-28, Rom 3:9-26).

We deny any rejection of the creation of men and women in God’s image or, subsequently, the fallenness of human nature. We likewise deny that, with respect to justification by faith from such fallenness, there is any distinction among ethnicities, social statuses, or genders (Rom 5:18-21, Gal 3:23-28).

4. We affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, the only mediator between God and humanity (John 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5).

We deny that anyone is saved in any other way than by Jesus Christ and His Gospel. The Bible offers no hope that sincere worshippers of other religions will be saved without personal faith in Jesus Christ.

5. We affirm that the Church is commanded by God and is therefore under divine obligation to preach the Gospel to every living person (Luke 24:47; Matt 28:18-19).

We deny that any particular class or group of persons, whatever their ethnic or cultural identity, may be ignored or passed over in the preaching of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:19-22). God purposes a global Church made up from people of every tribe, language and nation (Rev 7:9).

6. We affirm that faith in Jesus Christ as the divine Word (or Logos, John 1:1), the second Person of the Trinity, co-eternal and co-essential with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Heb 1:3) is foundational to faith in the Gospel.

We deny that any view of Jesus Christ which reduces or rejects his full deity is Gospel faith or will avail to salvation.

7. We affirm that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (John 1:14). The virgin-born descendant of David (Rom 1:3), he had a true human nature, was subject to the Law of God (Gal 4:5), and was like us at all points, except without sin (Heb 2:17, 7:26-28). We affirm that faith in the true humanity of Christ is essential to faith in the Gospel.

We deny that anyone who rejects the humanity of Christ, his incarnation, or his sinlessness, or who maintains that these truths are not essential to the Gospel, will be saved (1 John 4:2-3).

8. We affirm that the atonement of Christ by which, in his obedience, he offered a perfect sacrifice, propitiating the Father by paying for our sins and satisfying divine justice on our behalf according to God’s eternal plan, is an essential element of the Gospel.

We deny that any view of the atonement that rejects the substitutionary satisfaction of divine justice, accomplished vicariously for believers, is compatible with the teaching of the Gospel.

9. We affirm that Christ’s saving work included both his life and his death on our behalf (Gal 3:13). We declare that faith in the perfect obedience of Christ by which he fulfilled all the demand of the Law of God in our behalf is essential to the Gospel.

We deny that our salvation was achieved merely or exclusively by the death of Christ without reference to his life of perfect righteousness.

10. We affirm that the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead is essential to the biblical Gospel (1 Cor 15:14).

We deny the validity of any so-called gospel that denies the historical reality of the bodily resurrection of Christ.

11. We affirm that the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone is essential to the Gospel (Rom 3:28 and 4:5, Gal 2:16).

We deny that any person can believe the biblical Gospel and at the same time reject the apostolic teaching of justification by faith alone in Christ alone. We also deny that there is more than one true Gospel (Gal 1:6-9).

12. We affirm that the doctrine of the imputation (reckoning or counting) both of our sins to Christ and of his righteousness to us, whereby our sins are fully forgiven and we are fully accepted, is essential to the biblical Gospel (2 Cor 5:19-21).

We deny that we are justified by the righteousness of Christ infused into us or by any righteousness that is thought to inhere within us.

13. We affirm that the righteousness of Christ by which we are justified is properly his own, which he achieved apart from us, in and by his perfect obedience. This righteousness is counted, reckoned, or imputed to us by the forensic (that is, legal) declaration of God, as the sole ground of our justification.

We deny that any works we perform at any stage of our existence add to the merit of Christ or earn for us any merit that contributes in any way to the ground of our justification (Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).

14. We affirm that while all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are in the process of being made holy and conformed to the image of Christ, those consequences of justification are not its ground. God declares us just, remits our sins and adopts us as His children, by His grace alone, and through faith alone, because of Christ alone, while we are still sinners (Rom 4:5).

We deny that believers must be inherently righteous by virtue of their cooperation with God’s life-transforming grace before God will declare them justified in Christ. We are justified while we are still sinners.

15. We affirm that saving faith results in sanctification, the transformation of life in growing conformity to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification means ongoing repentance, a life of turning from sin to serve Jesus Christ in grateful reliance on him as one’s Lord and Master (Gal 5:22-25, Rom 8:4, 13-14).

We reject any view of justification which divorces it from our sanctifying union with Christ and our increasing conformity to his image through prayer, repentance, cross-bearing and life in the Spirit.

16. We affirm that saving faith includes mental assent to the content of the Gospel, acknowledgment of our own sin and need and personal trust and reliance upon Christ and his work.

We deny that saving faith includes only mental acceptance of the Gospel, and that, justification is secured by a mere outward profession of faith. We further deny that any element of saving faith is a meritorious work or earns salvation for us.

17. We affirm that although true doctrine is vital for spiritual health and well-being, we are not saved by doctrine. Doctrine is necessary to inform us how we may be saved by Christ, but it is Christ who saves.

We deny that the doctrines of the Gospel can be rejected without harm. Denial of the Gospel brings spiritual ruin and exposes us to God’s judgment.

18. We affirm that Jesus Christ commands his followers to proclaim the Gospel to all living persons, evangelizing everyone everywhere, and discipling believers within the fellowship of the Church. A full and faithful witness to Christ includes the witness of personal testimony, godly living, and acts of mercy and charity to our neighbor, without which the preaching of the Gospel appears barren.

We deny that the witness of personal testimony, godly living, and acts of mercy and charity to our neighbors constitute evangelism apart from the proclamation of the Gospel.

19. We affirm that all Christian men and women should be engaged in and trained for ministry. We also affirm that some men and some women are gifted to teach and lead various ministries of the Word for the benefit of the Church (Eph 4:11-13, 2 Tim 2:2, Titus 2:3-5).

We deny that any woman should be engaged in the specific tasks of teaching or preaching the Word to men in a corporate gathering of the Church or otherwise exercising pastoral authority over men in the Church (1 Tim 2:12-15, 1 Cor 14:34b-38).

20. We affirm that Adam and Eve were made to complement each other in a one-flesh union of marriage that establishes God’s intended pattern for sexual relations between one man and one woman. Accordingly, both homosexual and adulterous acts are sinful (1 Cor 6:9-11).

We deny that unrepentant homosexual or adulterous acts do no harm to public and private ministry. Rather, such acts constitute grounds for dismissal from ministry."

A little slow to get to justification. There is no meaning to 'saved' unless justification from sins is in the definition!

I chuckled when I saw how many doctrines were listed but then 'we are not saved by doctrine'...so why list so many--or as much detail as it did?

It needs to say also that justification was the promise to the fathers.

It needs a statement about the final coming in judgement.

 

[nikolai_42]

Tell me; where in the Bible does it say to make a Statement of Faith?

Where in the Bible does it state what to put in the Statement of Faith?

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:11

Whose testimony? The testimony of Jesus Christ or their own testimony? Point being is that these individuals overcame by their lives being conformed to scripture but their being ready to express it in their own words in the right way as the opportunity required. Statements of faith are just that - a public declaration that distills someone's belief in the scriptures down to a clear, direct word. The scriptures were not written as a statement of faith but as a faithful account. To point to a faithful account and simply say "I believe all of that" doesn't help anyone since there is much in it that requires clarification. The doctrine of the Godhead, for example, may be understood by studying all of scripture but to be succinct in ones understanding of it will require rewording. The apostles in Acts 17 spoke of someone that many had never heard of - Jesus - but when directed to the scriptures for support (and most statements of faith quote scripture copiously), they readily received what they were taught (Acts 17:11).

 

[God's Truth]

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:11

Whose testimony? The testimony of Jesus Christ or their own testimony? Point being is that these individuals overcame by their lives being conformed to scripture but their being ready to express it in their own words in the right way as the opportunity required. Statements of faith are just that - a public declaration that distills someone's belief in the scriptures down to a clear, direct word. The scriptures were not written as a statement of faith but as a faithful account. To point to a faithful account and simply say "I believe all of that" doesn't help anyone since there is much in it that requires clarification. The doctrine of the Godhead, for example, may be understood by studying all of scripture but to be succinct in ones understanding of it will require rewording. The apostles in Acts 17 spoke of someone that many had never heard of - Jesus - but when directed to the scriptures for support (and most statements of faith quote scripture copiously), they readily received what they were taught (Acts 17:11).

I think you are confusing a statement of faith with preaching the gospel.

 

[nikolai_42]

I think you are confusing a statement of faith with preaching the gospel.

And it is unimportant how one addresses all the issues surrounding the gospel? It isn't important how one "defines" who Jesus is and was? It's unimportant how one "defines" the state of one approaching the cross and what the cross and the blood do in the life of the believer? It isn't important how one "defines" the life of the believer and their relationship to other believers (i.e. the church)? I could go on, but I think you understand - as AMR says everyone has a confession. Everyone has a creed. Everyone has a statement of faith. It may not be written down, it may not even be coherently delineated in the individual's mind, but everyone has one. So to make clear how a body of believers (or even an individual) stands on certain important theological issues, a statement of faith makes a declaration. It is that group's (or individual's) testimony and tells others where they stand (and will not waiver). When one isn't written down, it is much easier for one to change and not even realize it. And it is very easy for succeeding generations to change without those landmarks. And as AMR also pointed out, that is why some of the creeds seem to be heavy on certain issues like the Deity of Christ. Because that was the main issue - point of contention - of the day. And it was important that they testify as to the nature of Christ. That was their testimony and it stood as a way of keeping clear what could easily (and is often) obfuscated and even denied.

Honestly, writing a book on a certain topic can even stand as a statement of faith of sorts. Calling these things wrong and unscriptural is really fighting against certainty and clarity in confession of truth. Certainly, we may be wrong when we confess, but that doesn't deny the validity and importance of such a confession.

 

[God's Truth]

And it is unimportant how one addresses all the issues surrounding the gospel?

Is that what you are saying a statement of faith does? Are you saying the gospel is not sufficient?

It isn't important how one "defines" who Jesus is and was?

How do you get that the gospel does not address that?

It's unimportant how one "defines" the state of one approaching the cross and what the cross and the blood do in the life of the believer? It isn't important how one "defines" the life of the believer and their relationship to other believers (i.e. the church)? I could go on, but I think you understand

The gospel effectively handles all that.

- as AMR says everyone has a confession. Everyone has a creed. Everyone has a statement of faith. It may not be written down, it may not even be coherently delineated in the individual's mind, but everyone has one.

AMR is saying anything to defend his false beliefs.

So to make clear how a body of believers (or even an individual) stands on certain important theological issues, a statement of faith makes a declaration. It is that group's (or individual's) testimony and tells others where they stand (and will not waiver).

A person should not waiver on any truth.

When one isn't written down, it is much easier for one to change and not even realize it. And it is very easy for succeeding generations to change without those landmarks.

We have the written Word of God and you are putting your statement of faith up there as if it is the written Word of God.

And as AMR also pointed out, that is why some of the creeds seem to be heavy on certain issues like the Deity of Christ. Because that was the main issue - point of contention - of the day. And it was important that they testify as to the nature of Christ. That was their testimony and it stood as a way of keeping clear what could easily (and is often) obfuscated and even denied.

The gospel tells us about the deity of Jesus.

Honestly, writing a book on a certain topic can even stand as a statement of faith of sorts. Calling these things wrong and unscriptural is really fighting against certainty and clarity in confession of truth. Certainly, we may be wrong when we confess, but that doesn't deny the validity and importance of such a confession.

Nowhere anywhere in the Bible does it say to make a statement of faith, and nowhere does it say what should go in such a declaration.

 

[nikolai_42]

Is that what you are saying a statement of faith does? Are you saying the gospel is not sufficient?

I will ask one question in response to this part of your post only. Once that's dealt with we can proceed.

Question : What is the gospel? Please define it.

 

[God's Truth]

I will ask one question in response to this part of your post only. Once that's dealt with we can proceed.

Question : What is the gospel? Please define it.

The gospel is that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and how he is alive in heaven. He is judge of the living and the dead; everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.

I will use Paul as an example. Paul is going to open people's eyes by preaching the gospel to them. Paul is going to preach to the JEWS and Gentiles to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins.

Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

We have to believe and obey Jesus.

 

[Nihilo]

Question : What is the gospel? Please define it.

The gospel is that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and how he is alive in heaven. He is judge of the living and the dead; everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.

I will use Paul as an example. Paul is going to open people's eyes by preaching the gospel to them. Paul is going to preach to the JEWS and Gentiles to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins.

Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

Vs. "He is risen." lain:

Matthew 28:6 (KJV) Mark 16:6 (KJV) Luke 24:6 (KJV)

Cf. Romans 10:9 (KJV)

 

[God's Truth]

​

Vs. "He is risen." lain:

Matthew 28:6 (KJV) Mark 16:6 (KJV) Luke 24:6 (KJV)

Cf. Romans 10:9 (KJV)

What do you mean 'vs'?

I gave scripture and you are trying to pit scripture against scripture.

 

[nikolai_42]

The gospel is that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and how he is alive in heaven. He is judge of the living and the dead; everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.

I will use Paul as an example. Paul is going to open people's eyes by preaching the gospel to them. Paul is going to preach to the JEWS and Gentiles to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins.

Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

We have to believe and obey Jesus.

Every one of those terms you used carries "freight". Jesus of Nazareth. Who was He? What makes Him significant? The question of who He was obviously was important - He asked it Himself. What makes Him able to save? Why do I need saving? What happens if I don't get saved? What is this Holy Spirit you talk about? What is repentance all about?

 

[Nang]

I think you are confusing a statement of faith with preaching the gospel.

This particular group's said mission is to evangelize (proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ), thus the need for them to formally reveal their foundational beliefs that give them Christian authority and credibility to so do.

You have revealed your beliefs with a multitude of public statements on this site, which most members have surely read, and it helps those of us who carefully discern statements of faith, to understand why and how your legalistic, and works-oriented gospel message does not accord with the Scriptural Gospel of Grace.

IOW's your statements do not match the true biblical Gospel, which accordance is imperative as to whether others should follow your words and ways, or not.

 

[Nang]

A little slow to get to justification. There is no meaning to 'saved' unless justification from sins is in the definition!

I chuckled when I saw how many doctrines were listed but then 'we are not saved by doctrine'...so why list so many--or as much detail as it did?

It needs to say also that justification was the promise to the fathers.

It needs a statement about the final coming in judgement.

I agree much more could have been added, but I note that the two areas you refer to are both very controversial within the present-day churches:

Covenantalism vs Dispensationalism

Millennial Differences

Perhaps this group is attempting to avoid getting side-tracked with either issue and stay Gospel and Christ centered in their approach.

Or their organization itself may possess a really mixed bag of views on these subjects . . .

And whether this is good or not, or wise, I don't know. Thus my OP.