by Sandy Simpson

The Five Core Doctrines

Inside this issue:

     The doctrines of Christianity are set forth in a book entitled The Fundamentals edited by R.A. Torrey in 1909 with contributors such as H.A. Ironside and C.I. Scofield.
     There are five core doctrines of Christianity. These doctrines put into simple language the basic theology of our faith, taking into account the full teaching of the Word of God in context. Without these five doctrines individuals cannot consider themselves to be Bible believing, Christ centered, Spirit baptized, Christians. 
     Please understand that I believe that there are many, many Christians today, from varied backgrounds and denominations, who fully believe and teach the five core doctrines of the faith. However, we must recognize that there are also many false teachers who call themselves "Christians" but deny one or more of these core doctrines by teaching explicitly or implicitly against it.
     The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Tim. 4:1)   
     Doctrine is being put down by many people today, by Christians and non Christians alike. The major religions of

the world don't care about the Word of God. There are cults that pretend to care but do not even hold to the basic precepts taught there. Then there are those, spoken of by Peter, who distort the Word and pretend to be Christians but are really wolves in sheep's clothing.
      Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Mt 7:15)   
     Doctrine is the most important criteria to use in discerning error! Why? Doctrine is simply what you believe. If what you believe differs from what the Word of God says about the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the second coming, salvation and the Scriptures, you are in error in your doctrine and have believed "in vain."  There is no one alive today who does not have doctrines. They may pretend to be free of doctrine, just "feeling" their way around the world, but they cling to doctrines just as tightly as you and I do. If they do not believe and teach the five core doctrines of Christianity, both explicitly and implicitly, they are teaching heresy and they are not our brothers in Christ until such a time as they repent and turn from their wicked ways.

The Five Core Doctrines

     1. The Trinity: God must be one "What" and three "Whos" with each "Who" possessing all the attributes of Deity and personality.
     2. The Person of Jesus Christ: Jesus is 100% God and 100% man for all eternity.
     3. The Second Coming: Jesus Christ is coming bodily to earth to rule and judge.
     4. Salvation: It is by grace through faith alone in Christ alone.
     5. The Scripture: It is entirely inerrant and sufficient for all Christian life.

     The major religions of the world deny all of these major doctrines. The cults deny one or more -- usually more than one and especially the dual nature of Christ. The wolves who pretend to be Christians involved in the Third Wave, New Wave, New Age counterfeit revival of our time pretend to believe these doctrines but don't let them