We are based in Denmark and our ministry has a Danish name and website (Tilbage til Biblen WWW.TILBAGETILBIBELEN.DK). But since we have many english speaking friends and supporters as well, we have done our tracts in both english and danish, and we have an english website on the way (which will be an english mirror of the danish website). I am very excited to say that the Danish website is now up and running (though still a work in progress). There is some english stuff on there at the moment and you might like to take a look at the design and layout so you know what to expect with the Back to Scripture website when it arrives.
That said, we have written our statement of essential Christian doctrine and would love feedback. Most of the statement has been derived from the "Together For The Gospel" statement, and the "Heart Cry Missionary" (Paul Washer's ministry) statement. We don't want to reinvent the wheel, but we do want a theologically solid statement to make a call for orthodoxy within the various denominations in Denmark (many of which have no doctrinal statement). We all know that building a house is a waste of time without a proper foundation being laid. So it is with doctrine which, like the foundation of a building, is largely unseen but supports everything that is visible in the Body of Christ.
What follows is the first five Doctrinal points coupled with supporting Scriptures.
THE SCRIPTURES. The sole authority for the Church is the Bible, verbally inspired, innerrant, infallible, and totally sufficient and trustworthy. No portion of Scripture is marked by error or the effects of human sinfulness. The authority and sufficiency of Scripture extends to the entire Bible and is therefore the final authority for all doctrine and practice. No portion of the Bible is to be used in an effort to deny the truthfulness or trustworthiness of any other portion. There can be no effort to identify a canon within the canon or, for example, to set the words of Jesus against the writings of Paul (II Timothy 3:15-17, II Peter 1:21).
GOD. There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:22, Revelation 22:13).
THE TRINITY. The one true God is revealed to us as three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being (Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 10:30, Acts 5:3-4, Colossians 2:9, I John 5:7).
THE FALL OF MAN. God originally created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27), for His glory (Isaiah 43:7), and free from sin (Genesis 2:25); but, through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness (Genesis 3:1-24); whereby his posterity [i.e. descendants] inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law (Romans 3:9-18), are under condemnation (Romans 5:18), and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors (Psalm 51:5).
THE MEDIATOR. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5). Having taken upon Himself human nature (Philippians 2:5-8), yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15), He perfectly fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners (John 10:15, Romans 3:25, I Peter 2:24). He was buried, rose again on the third day (I Corinthians 15:4), and ascended to His Father (Acts 1:9), at whose right hand He lives forever to make intercession for His people (Romans 8:34). He shall return in power and great glory to judge the living and the dead (II Timothy 4:1). He is the only Mediator, the Prophet (Acts 3:20-22), Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and King of the church, and Sovereign of the Universe (Ephesians 1:21-22).
To be continued tomorrow - WWW.BACKTOSCRIPTURE.COM - Doctrine Statement Part 2
Go On To Part 2
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1 comment:
Cameron,
I really like that you specifically mentioned "There can be no effort to identify a canon within the canon or, for example, to set the words of Jesus against the writings of Paul."
As you likely know, there are smoe teachers who attempt to elevate Jesus' words above other words in the Bible. These people sometimes call themselves, "Red Letter Christians."
Their mistake is their failure to recognize that Jesus wrote EVERY word in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. So they're ALL His words, whether printed in red or black.
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