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Essential Doctrines of Christianity
Essential Doctrines of Christianity
Essential Doctrines of Christianity
by Matt Slick
11/23/08
The Bible itself reveals those doctrines that are essential to the
Christian faith. They are 1) the Deity of Christ, 2) Salvation by Grace, 3)
Resurrection of Christ, 4) the gospel, and 5) monotheism. These are the doctrines
the Bible says are necessary. Though there are many other important doctrines,
these five are the ones that are declared by Scripture to be essential (I call them
primary essentials since the Bible declares them as essential). A non-regenerate
person (i.e., Mormon or Jehovah's Witness, atheist, Muslim), will deny one or more
of these essential doctrines. Please note that there are other derivative doctrines
of scripture that become necessary also and the Trinity being one.
Secondary Essentials
Secondary essentials are necessary truths, but there is no self-declared penalty for
their denial--yet they are still essential to the Christian faith. Again, by way of
example, Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes
to the Father but by him. (John 14:6). I call this a secondary essential because
there's no penalty associated with its denial. Nevertheless, it is a statement of
absolute truth and is an essential Christian teaching that cannot be denied.