1.
Why we base our beliefs on the Bible |
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2.
Why does it matter what we believe |
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3.
How the BASF was developed |
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4.
How did we arrive at our Statement of Faith? |
2. Why does it matter what we believe?
It is said from time to time that God sees beyond denominational barriers. It is said that because God is not willing that any should perish, He is willing to look beyond our differing beliefs and give salvation to all, so long as we say that we love Jesus. And even so, who are we to make judgement about who believes the truth or who doesn’t? It is also said that we can never really be sure that we know all the fundamental doctrines. Who is to say that there is still more to be found out?
It is sometimes even said that nothing can be proved for certain. The problem with these statements is that they miss a fundamental Scriptural principle. The infallible Word of God teaches that there is only ONE FAITH. This is often described as “the gospel” or “the truth” or “the hope”. God has not written the Bible to trick us. Why would He possibly write a message to those He loves so much and make “the truth” ambiguous? We know that this is completely foreign to His character and purpose. The doctrines we believe also have vital practical implications.
Acts 2v42-45 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common….”
1 Cor 10v20-22 “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?”2 Cor 6v14-18 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Eph 5v11-12 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”
1
John 1v1-7 “….That which we have seen and heard declare we unto
you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship
is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write
we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which
we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in
him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk
in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin.”
Rom 15v5-6 “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to
be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That
ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Cor 13v11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Phil 1v27 ”….stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”
Phil 2v27 “…. stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”
1 Pet 3v8-9 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
2 Thess 3v6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition (ie. teaching) which he received of us.”
1 Tim 6v3-5 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
Matt
18v15-17 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go
and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee,
thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him
be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
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