Based upon the doctrine category definitions on the Doctrine Categories page, the following is a recommended standard set of doctrines for the Christian belief system. They are grouped by doctrine category, and are written out in exacting wording along with usually two or more scriptural references that support them. Even though only a few supporting references are listed for each of the doctrines, more supporting scriptural passages actually exist and are able to be found in the Bible.
Though not listed explicitly as doctrines, The Ten Commandments, as well as similar God stated commandments and declarations of moral values which relate to the whole of humanity (as opposed to commandments which were given by God specifically to and for the Jewish people during Old Testament times, e.g. prohibitions against eating certain meats), are given impetus because they can be found to be either directly or implicitly declared in one or more of the Essential Doctrines.
Essential
Doctrines
1. There is no other god but God. - Jeremiah 10:10, Ephesians 4:6, James 2:19
2. God is sovereign over all creation. - Job 42:1-2, Daniel 4:24-25
3. Since the time of Adam and Eve, sin has been an innate part of all people. - Romans 3:23-24, Romans 5:12-13
4. Only God defines basic human rights, and moral values. - Deuteronomy 32:4, James 1:17, Luke 5:19-25
5. The bodily resurrection of Christ. - Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:20
6. Christ was God incarnate in the flesh. - Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9
7. Salvation is by grace alone, through Christ. - John 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8
8. Everyone after death will be judged by Christ and will go to heaven or receive the judgment of hell. - Matthew 13:40-43, Luke 13:24-28
9. Repentance from sin; which includes sexual immorality. - Luke 13:1-5, John 8:10-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Secondary
Doctrines
*** Under Review ***
Miscellaneous
Doctrines
*** Under Review ***
rev. 5/2023
It may seem inappropriate and incorrect to include sexual immorality since by doctrine category definitions, that would seem to preclude many people who are professing Christians from being accurately considered as being Christian except in a nominal sense. This section explains the basis for why it is included in the Essential Doctrines category instead of in the Secondary or Miscellaneous categories.
The Cast
Reflection
As an opening point to
consider, and one made in scripture, is that when the non-Christian
world sees self-professing Christians acting in a way/ways that are
opposite to what is written in scripture, then it reflects badly on
Christians as a whole and inevitably causes some people to not take
the Bible seriously, and not give much regard to the Christian
message of repentance and the salvation offered by God through
Christ. In term that may lead to some people never finding salvation
through Christ; thus not having a more fulfilling worldly life, and
possibly ultimately receiving the judgment of Hell. This is probably
at least some of the reasons behind this passage:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. - Revelation 3:15-16
The World's Concept
of Sex
To
much of the modern non Christian Western world, sexual activity has
largely come to be something of either a personal pastime or
recreation like jogging or soccer, a central goal of a person's life,
used as something to confirm between a non-married couple that they
have an elusive and "committed" relationship, or it is used
as the basis for some couples' relationship.
The Biblical
View
of Sex
According
to the Bible, God wants people to view and value sex far differently,
and Christians are, of course, to honer what God says in the Bible
concerning sexual relations, just as with other things.
Firstly, what the Bible does not say is that sex is sinful, or even not that it is something to be embarassed or asshamed about, or that it is only to be considered as an nessasary action that is done for the sake of reproduction. It fact, it states that sex is fine and a good thing in the proper context;: that is between a man and a woman who have entered intoa marital relationship. (It should be remembered that that such statements about sexuality are coming from God, who as the creator of humankind has understanding of all aspects of human beings.
In fact, in numerous passages in the Bible, sexual relations is written about in a positive light, and makes the point that human sexuality is a integral aspect of human beings. For example, in First Corinthians 3-5 it is written;
Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.
Yet indicating the importance God places on the subject of sexual relations, the Bible also gives various commandments and warnings concerning sexual relations. For example in Hebrews 13:4 it is written;;
Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be integral: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Fornication
"Fornication"
is often translated in modern Bible translations as "sexual
immorality". Fornication essentially means sexual encounters
outside of a marital relationship, and includes adultery. The Bible
teaches against it in numerous places, such as:
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
The Everyday World
Harm of Fornication
As a side
point, beside the biblical commandments against fornication being the
main reason for Christians not to engage in it, there are concrete
negative "real world" consequences of it also. These can
often be readily observed occurring in modern society. To list a few
common ones:
-- Unplanned pregnancy - If can be especally negitivley life impacting for young people to become parents before they are mature adults and especally before they graduate high school, or even after they gradute high school if they are not financially self-sufficient.
-- Abortion - There is the possibility that an unplanned pregnancy will be resolved through abortion, which is a tragic resolution for all involved, especially the unborn human being.
-- Single Parent Families - A not uncommon result of an unplanned pregnancy; though not a tragic outcome as abortion, a single parent family is not the biblical nor worldly defined optimum way of rasing children, and comes with big chllanges and hazards, of different types, for both the parent and child/children.
-- Detrimental Relationships - An (un-married) couple may be basically not very comparable and not have a good relationship overall, but stay together due to the sexual pleasure aspect of the relationship. Thus, they stay in the relationship, which may be an abusive or otherwise harmful one, instead of ending it and using their time and personal energy more productively, possibly including finding someone that they are actually compatible with.
Adultery
Adultery is
when a married person has sexual relations with someone other than
their spouse. The Bible condemns adultery in many places. Perhaps the
most well known place being in The Ten Commandments:
“You shall not commit adultery. -- Exodus 20:14
Not A Minor Sin
There
are a number of Bible passages which speak to the high degree of
seriousness which God attributes to sexual immorality, amoung them:
Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 1 Corinthians 10:5-8
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. - Ephesians. 5:3-5
Through just these passages it can be seen that fornication is a major sin and God has designated severe punishment concerning it, including the possibility of forfeiture of one's potential inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
To The Point
Besides the
above passages, and directly in regards to the point that by having
sexual immorality included in the Essential Doctrine is a statement
that a person who practices (i.e. the voluntary repeated action)
sexual immorality can not accurately be called a Christian, this is a
relevant passage:
I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. - 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Keeping In Mind...
It is
suggested to always remember that God's commandments are not given
without reason, but are given for people's well-being and betterment:
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. - 1 John 5:3-4
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