Essential vs. Unessential

[NetChaplain]

Many biblical doctrines are misunderstood because of the way Scripture can appear to support numerous opposing views within Soteriology. This is because nearly any false teaching can be supported on partial Scripture, but truth is supported on the whole of it (Hermeneutics—Scripture interpreting Scripture).

As you may know, in Soteriology there are essential and unessential scriptural doctrines concerning the impartation of Grace (receiving salvation), i.e. believing that salvation is only through Christ is essential doctrine for receiving salvation; believing O.S.A.S. (once saved always saved—which I believe Scripture supports) is unessential for receiving salvation. We are all aware there is a multitude of Christians who have numerous opposing beliefs within unessential doctrine, but it is within essential doctrine that unification is established in the "Household of God" (Eph 2:19).

Essential doctrine establishes faith and unessential doctrine establishes growth in faith. Therefore, Christians who unknowingly believe in the false unessential and disbelieve in the true unessential will be deficient in much "comfort of the Scriptures" (Rom 15:4), resulting in being "weak in the faith" (Rom 14:1).

Weakness in the faith refers to misunderstanding, being ignorant of, or disbelieving in a scriptural doctrine, in which case impedes one from using it for learning and encouragement. Paul's indication of one being "weak in the faith" in Romans 14 was in similar reference to what Peter encountered in his "Joppa" vision (Acts 10:14, 15), which indicates that Peter was ignorant at that time (the Lord was revealing this for the first time) that in the "New Covenant" dispensation, the ordinances which were against the eating of certain animals was "taken away" (Heb 10:9; 1 Tim 4:4, 5; Matt 15:11), which Peter eventually learned that He was also referring to the receiving of the Gentiles.

This example of Peter's is analogous to any unlearned true scriptural doctrine and if the believer is unaware of it, the teaching cannot be received and utilized. All Christians will be "caught up together" at the same time, “to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:17) and the only historical difference between them will have been the unnecessary "besetting" from the "weight" which believers did not "lay aside" (Heb 12:1), which resulted from not being as encouraged (Heb 3:13) and learned (2 Tim 3:16) as they could have been.

False doctrine weakens faith, resulting in leaving the believer often "fighting" and "beating the air" (1 Cor 9:26); but it is not “possible” to “deceive the very elect” (Matt 24:24). Not finding truth results from not seeking it (Matt 7:7; Luke 11:9).

[Paula22466]

Nice article, have you posted it in other places?

the only historical difference between them will have been the unnecessary "besetting" from the "weight" which believers did not "lay aside" (Heb 12:1), which resulted from not being as encouraged (Heb 3:13) and learned (2 Tim 3:16) as they could have been.

I'm not sure I agree with this, do you not think there will be eternal effects from this lack of seeking?

[NetChaplain]

Nice article, have you posted it in other places?

the only historical difference between them will have been the unnecessary "besetting" from the "weight" which believers did not "lay aside" (Heb 12:1), which resulted from not being as encouraged (Heb 3:13) and learned (2 Tim 3:16) as they could have been.

I'm not sure I agree with this, do you not think there will be eternal effects from this lack of seeking?

Hi Paula - Thanks for your reply and it's a good question. Before I answer, i would like to know what you mean by "this lack of seeking." Thanks Sis!

[Paula22466]

Hi Paula - Thanks for your reply and it's a good question. Before I answer, i would like to know what you mean by "this lack of seeking." Thanks Sis!

I mean these:

Christians who unknowingly believe in the false non-essential and disbelieve in the true non-essential will be deficient in much "comfort of the Scriptures" (Rom 15:4), resulting in being "weak in the faith" (Rom 14:1).

and..

Weakness in the faith refers to misunderstanding, being ignorant of, or disbelieving in a scriptural doctrine, in which case impedes one from using it for learning and encouragement

Thanks

[NetChaplain]

"do you not think there will be eternal effects from this lack of seeking?

Only in the additional rewards (not reward--salvation) 1 Cor 3:14

[lish1936]

Many biblical doctrines are misunderstood because of the way Scripture can appear to support numerous opposing views within Soteriology. This is because nearly any false teaching can be supported on partial Scripture, but truth is supported on the whole of it (Hermeneutics—Scripture interpreting Scripture).

As you may know, in Soteriology there are essential and non-essential scriptural doctrines concerning the impartation of Grace (receiving salvation), i.e. believing that salvation is only through Christ is essential doctrine for receiving salvation; believing O.S.A.S. (once saved always saved—which I believe Scripture supports) is non-essential for receiving salvation. We are all aware there is a multitude of Christians who have numerous opposing beliefs within non-essential doctrine, but it is within essential doctrine that unification is established in the "Household of God" (Eph 2:19).

Thanks for your clear, concise presentation of the need for a context-based approach to understanding Scripture. Years ago I remember a saying that the Bible is its own interpreter. And so I say, "Amen."

Blessings,

Lillian

[NetChaplain]

[/quote]
Thanks for your clear, concise presentation of the need for a context-based approach to understanding Scripture. Years ago I remember a saying that the Bible is its own interpreter. And so I say, "Amen."

Blessings,

Lillian[/quote]

Thanks Lil for your encouraging reply!

[rleavers]

I have taught on this several times throughout the years and I liked your explanation, well said! Some doctrines have eternal consequences and some have temporal consequences. The eternal doctrines have only one possible answer if you get them wrong you have no security. Some of these would be; one true God, The death burial and resurrection of Christ, the divinity of Christ, only one way to salvation etc.. You cannot deny these doctrines and expect eternal salvation.
The temporal doctrines tend to be the ones we argue about the most. Like the eternal doctrines they only have one right answer but getting them wrong does not effect our eternal security. Does that mean they are not important? Of course not, they would not be in scripture if they were not very important. I believe these doctrines have more to do with how we live and the effectiveness of our Christian walk. That is where study, prayer and discernment become very important and essential as we wrestle with these doctrines. The key is a loving attitude towards those that disagree with you on these issues. The hostility that comes out sometimes in forums like this amazes me and I am sure is quite heartbreaking to the Lord. If you cannot defend your understanding of scripture without getting hostile and defensive then maybe your not on as solid ground as you think you are. I must say these forums on FW are usually always very civil I am more referring to some of the hard core theological forums out there.
Anyway God Bless and I liked your explanation it was well thought out.
In Christ, Ralph
GOD is GOOD!!!

[NetChaplain]

Does that mean they are not important? Of course not, they would not be in scripture if they were not very important. I believe these doctrines have more to do with how we live and the effectiveness of our Christian walk.

Hi Ralph and God's blessings to your Family! Thanks for your reply which I find very applicable to this thread. Your right that the non-essentials for receiving salvation are important as you've indicated, for the "effectiveness of our Christian walk."

The non-essentials do also have eternal "consequences," because they are what the Spirit uses to conform us to the image of Christ, which allows us to "draw nearer to God" (Jam 4:8) in fellowship with Him now, which in turn allows us to be more used more effectively to increase in our fellowship with other believers and also to increase effectiveness in our outreach to unbelievers.

[rleavers]

I didn't mean to say that they did not have eternal consequences, just that they do not determine our eternal security.
In Christ, Ralph
GOD is GOOD!!!

[NetChaplain]

I didn't mean to say that they did not have eternal consequences, just that they do not determine our eternal security.
In Christ, Ralph
GOD is GOOD!!!

Sorry about that and thanks for letting me know Brother!

God Be Blessed!

[Paula22466]

What are the essentials, in your view? You named a few, what else?

[NetChaplain]

What are the essentials, in your view? You named a few, what else?

It is one essential doctrine which is exemplified by various applications. The single teaching for receiving salvation is known as, "Sola fide en solus Christus"; Faith alone in Christ alone, also known as "Justification by faith."

One application exemplifying faith in Christ is believing that it is His sacrificial atonement alone which effects the exemption of the believer from the guilt of sin.

Another is believing God raised Christ from the dead: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom 10:9).

From these and other examples, Scripture is clear concerning the essentials for faith in Christ.

[Paula22466]

What are the essentials, in your view? You named a few, what else?

It is one essential doctrine which is exemplified by various applications. The single teaching for receiving salvation is known as, "Sola fide en solus Christus"; Faith alone in Christ alone, also known as "Justification by faith."

Certainly an essential. But if I may muddy the waters, what then of the roman catholic doctrines which uphold the sacraments as essentials for salvation? If a roman catholic believes this, they cannot be justified?

[NetChaplain]

What are the essentials, in your view? You named a few, what else?

It is one essential doctrine which is exemplified by various applications. The single teaching for receiving salvation is known as, "Sola fide en solus Christus"; Faith alone in Christ alone, also known as "Justification by faith."

Certainly an essential. But if I may muddy the waters, what then of the roman catholic doctrines which uphold the sacraments as essentials for salvation? If a roman catholic believes this, they cannot be justified?

Good question and I appreciate that it evinces genuine concern for those involved. As we know, salvation is always based on the belief in the essentials and if one who does believe in the essentials also believes in false teachings, their faith in Christ will not be affected. They will lack spiritual growth, as anyone does who believes in false teachings, but remain saved.

In all false Christian religions there are some within them who are seeking truth, which they will inevitably find and if they're seeking to please God and truly want to be right with Him, they are probably saved and He will guide them, even though they may believe in false non-essential doctrine.