I've looked around on site and off site and I can't seem to find a definitive statement of faith for the RMers. I visited a Disciples of Christ church and I had the same thing. Nobody could boil down to a brief statement exactly what they believe and teach.
I've heard a lot about "the essentials" but nobody I've talked to seems to know what the essentials actually are.
You guys aren't Catholic, so I would assume that you have some agreement on the five solas of the reformation. Could you tell me how you guys interpret these?
1 - Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")
2 - Sola fide ("by faith alone")
3 - Sola gratia ("by grace alone")
4 - Solus Christus or Solo Christo ("Christ alone" or "through Christ alone")
5 - Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")
Are you sacramental?
- Do you believe in baptism as a work of God that gives salvation and forgiveness or sins - or a work of man that is the first act of obedience to Christ?
- Do you believe in a remembrance view of the Lord's Supper - or do you discern the true body and blood of Christ - or do you believe in full-on transubstantiation?
Do you teach and agree with the contents of the Nicene Creed? If not could you indicate where you differ?
The Nicene Creed (with scriptural references)
We believe in
(Romans 10:8-10; 1John 4:15)
ONE God,
(Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6)
the Father
(Matthew 6:9)
Almighty,
(Exodus 6:3)
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
(Genesis 1:1)
and of all things visible and invisible.
(Colossians 1:15-16)
And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ,
(Acts 11:17)
the Son of God,
(Mathew 14:33; 16:16)
the Only-Begotten,
(John 1:18; 3:16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages.
(John 1:2)
Light of Light;
(Psalm 27:1; John 8:12; Matthew 17:2,5)
True God of True God;
(John 17:1-5)
Begotten, not made;
(John 1:18)
of one essence with the Father
(John 10:30)
by whom all things were made;
(Hebrews 1:1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation
(1Timothy 2:4-5)
came down from Heaven,
(John 6:33,35)
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
(Luke 1:35)
and became man.
(John 1:14)
And was crucified for us
(Mark 15:25; 1Cointhians 15:3)
under Pontius Pilate,
(John 19:6)
and suffered,
(Mark 8:31)
and was buried.
(Luke 23:53; 1Corinthians 15:4)
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
(Luke 24:1 1Corinthians 15:4)
And ascended into Heaven,
(Luke 24:51; Acts 1:10)
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
(Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55)
And He shall come again with glory
(Matthew 24:27)
to judge the living and the dead;
(Acts 10:42; 2Timothy 4:1)
whose Kingdom shall have no end.
(2 Peter 1:11)
And in the Holy Spirit,
(John 14:26)
the Lord,
(Acts 5:3-4)v
the Giver of Life,
(Genesis 1:2)
Who proceeds from the Father; (
John 15:26)
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified;
(Matthew 3:16-17)
Who spoke through the prophets.
(1 Samuel 19:20 ; Ezekiel 11:5,13)
In one,
(Matthew 16: 18)
holy,
(1 Peter 2:5,9)
catholic*,
(Mark 16:15)
and apostolic Church.
(Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22)
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins**.
(Ephesians 4:5; Acts 2:38)
I look for the resurrection of the dead,
(John 11:24; 1Corinthians 15:12-49; Hebrews 6:2; Revelation 20:5)
and the life of the world to come.
(Mark 10:29-30)
AMEN.
(Psalm 106:48)
I understand that there is a lot of latitude in your demoninations, and you have made it a point not to require members to confess creeds or subscribe to doctrinal statements, but how do you keep errors from coming into your churches?
Are there different standards for pastors? Are pastors required to confess belief in, for example, the Trinity or the Virgin Birth or the Bodily Resurrection of Jesus?
I guess the basis question I'm asking is this: How do you guys know what you believe if no one seems to know what you believe?
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