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Doctrine is defined as a set of beliefs. In Christianity there are many doctrines, but the most basic of all is what is defined in our eBible Statement of Faith. Bible We believe the Bible, in its entirety, to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13) God We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) Jesus Christ We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1, 2, 14 Luke 1:35) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2) Salvation We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the eternal joy of the saved and the eternal punishment of the lost (John 5:24; 3:16; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15) We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins (Ephesians 2:8, 9 Hebrews 9:12, 22 Romans 5:11) Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18) Unity We believe in the soon-coming, personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The basics of Christian doctrine can be summarized in the Nicene Creed. This, I would say, could be a clear qualification in determining whether a "supposed" Christian group shares our confession. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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