What Our Core Beliefs Are As a Church

Some argue that doctrine divides… That we do not need creeds… We simply need Christ… That theology only puffs up.

This is typically in response to certain people who have elevated their doctrine above Christ. Where they try and squeeze their version of Christ in a boxes even at the exclusion of a plain reading of certain passages of the Bible… Rather than looking at the texts that are difficult to understand or accept, they turn away and make their own version. This is a temptation for us all.

The truth is Christ has revealed himself in words. And when we speak of Christ, we convey doctrine…

Doctrine according to gotquestions.org is “instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application.”

You may not see yourself as a theologian… But we are all theologians… The question is, are we good theologians or bad ones based on God’s revelation of Himself…

So lets consider a few truths about God’s word.

The Bible is necessary and sufficient for us to know God and live for Him.

Jesus said, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the Father’s mouth.

Psalms 1 describes the godly man/woman as a person who meditates on the word of God day and night.

2Timothy 3:16-17 says, “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The word of God is powerful. Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Therefore, The word of God is to primary in the life of the believer.

With that in mind, I appreciate what John Calvin said on this subject… He said that doctrine is “the soul of the Church.”

Chad Haygood, a Sovereign Grace pastor writes, “Doctrine is not secondary to the mature of the church, but at the center. Therefore, as churches, he continues, we must plant our roots in the soil of sound doctrine.”

Take for instance, Acts 2:42 where it tells us what the early church gave themselves to upon conversion. It says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

The key words here is devoted. They were not casual… They were devoted.

God’s word

Fellowship with believers (specifically the local church)

Breaking of bread (likely communion but could be referring to being in one another’s homes)

Prayers

We devote ourselves to a lot of things. But the follower of Jesus is devoted to God’s word, God’s people, and God’s mission.

That being said there are three types of doctrines that I want us to briefly consider. Close handed, Open Handed , and SGC’s doctrine. Due to time constraint, I will do a flyby of each one of these sections. But feel free to write down your questions and if we don’t get to them today, I can get with you after.

Let’s start with

Close Handed Beliefs

Close handed doctrines are doctrines ALL Christians share in common. It is those doctrines that unites all of christendom. To deviate from these doctrines is to deviate from Christianity… To put it more plainly, to deny close handed doctrines is to deny Christ.

Doctrines like

The Bible — “Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true.” www.gotquestions.org

The Gospel — The problem of sin, The solution in Christ’s atoning sacrifice alone, call to faith and repentance

The Resurrection — 1Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

The Trinity — God is one in essence three in person. Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Hypostatic Union — Jesus is fully man and fully God

The Return of Christ — Christ is returning to pour out wrath and retrieve His bride.

Final Judgement — Satan, His demons and all who do not turn from sin and treasure Christ will be damned for all eternity.

Open Handed Beliefs

Open handed doctrines are doctrines that Christians can disagree and still maintain fellowship and brotherhood. These are doctrines that often can form a denomination because disagreement on certain open handed issues prove to be problematic when trying to unite in mission and submit to leadership. Which leads us to open handed beliefs starting with…

These are doctrines like:

Denominations — even those who do not believe in the benefit and blessing denominations align doctrinally and practically with certain denominations. But holding a position on denominations is open handed.

Baptism — as long as one does not believe in baptismal regeneration.

Gifts of the Spirit —

End Times —

Bible Translation —

Roles in the home and in the church —

Political position —

Music preference —

Can you think of any?

Let’s turn now to

Sovereign Grace Churches

Sovereign Grace Churches is a community of congregations united by our shared Statement of Faith, Shared Values and Book of Church Order. Membership is voluntary and the principles of elder rule and the autonomy of the local church are respected and encouraged. We align ourselves with one another by committing to the principles and practices prescribed by our Book of Church Order and our Shaping Virtues.

Let’s consider each of those unique categories. SoF, Shared Values, Shaping Virtues and Book of Church Order

Statement of Faith

1. The Scriptures

2. The Triune God

3. God’s Sovereign Purposes

4. Creation, Providence, and Man

5. Man’s Sin and Its Effects

6. The Person of Jesus Christ

7. The Saving Work of Jesus Christ

8. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

9. The Gospel and the Application of Salvation by the Holy Spirit

10. The Empowering Ministry of the Spirit

11. Life in Christ

12. The Church of Christ

13. The Last Things

Shared Values

1. Reformed

2. Gospel-centered

3. Continuationist

4. Complementarian

5. Elder-governed

6. Missions

7. Interdependence

Shaping Virtues

1. Humility

2. Joy

3. Gratitude

4. Encouragement

5. Generosity

6. Servanthood

7. Godliness

Book of Church Order

Printout

“Do you see her? Cast out, maligned, mistreated, and unimpressive by any worldly standard, yet to eyes of faith beautfiul, magnificent, and glorious. She is the church, in exile in this world yet chosen and precious in the sight of God. She endures hardship and remains faithful to her Lord. She suffers false accusations yet stands approved in him. She is holy in an unholy culture. She is pure despite her past of impurity. She is a warrior, resisting the roar of the satanic lion yet living in weakness under the pagan authorities of this age. She finds honor in reflecting her savior who bore her sins and cares nothing for the reproach of this age. She is an assembly of living stones, a magnificent temple, standing tall in the sin apocalypse of this age. She is birthed by the word of God, lives by the grace of God, and hopes in the inheritance of Christ. She is a sojourner with no place to lay her head yet destined for a heavenly inheritance that will never fade. She preaches revolution but not of political power or social control. She holds out the message of a crucified Savior and an eternal invitation.” Jon Payne

Concluding statement…

Doctrine is not a cold abstraction but the lifeblood of the church—it roots us in truth, fuels our worship, and guides our mission. To know Christ is to know Him as He has revealed Himself in His Word, and to love Christ is to love His truth. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers—not casually, but with holy devotion. So must we. In an age of shifting opinions and shallow substitutes, we plant our feet firmly in the soil of sound doctrine, for it is here that we encounter the living Christ, are shaped into His likeness, and are sent out with courage and joy to bear His name in the world.