Monday, June 20, 2011

What? Diversity???

In our zealous and honest attempts to define Christianity, I have found that it is very easy to lose track of what really matters. At times it seems as though we focus so hard upon the secondary issues of doctrine (which simply means ["teaching"]) that does not save us, rather than focusing upon the central message of the Bible  "The Gospel" where the glory of God is displayed in Christ Jesus. By no means am I saying that doctrine does not matter, yet the foundation of all "doctrine" is the "Gospel" (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) given to us from God in Christ and applied to all believers by way of the Holy Spirit.

Does Christian Unity Exclude Denominational Diversity? By no means! For the "Gospel" is the message that redeems, reconciles, restores and unites all believers together throughout all time. Therefore, among believers the questions that we ask should not be whether one has a Priest or an Pastor, whether one is Baptist or Reformed, Pentecostal or Anglican, Catholic or Lutheran, Methodist or Episcopalian, black or white, Mexican or Asian, but the question that we should ask is "Jesus [Savior] (the one has has redeemed us through  his death and resurrection) and [Lord] (the king who we submit our lives too and who's Kingdom Reigns in our lives)."

Although different denominations may have different perspectives on certain points of doctrine, yet the doctrine that has supremacy over all other doctrines is the "Gospel" for it only has the power to redeem, restore, and reconcile all people unto himself. The "Gospel" is the bridge point among all the differing perspectives within doctrine, for the "Gospel" is the message that unites us all in one mission.

As Christians We Can all Agree Upon This Message:

The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*Please see video on next post titled: "What? Diversity??? (Part Two)"

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