The Nicene Creed (with scriptural references)
We believe in (Romans 10:8-10; 1John 4:15)
ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6)
Since there has been little provided for me to work with I am going back to the Nicene Creed and check the next couple of items to see if they are truly essential doctrines.
1 John 4: 15
15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
A person who confesses Jesus will have God dwell within him and this results in a boldness on the day of judgment.
That echoes what we have already discussed in relation to Romans 10: 9. The verse in Romans does have two parts though; a) confessing Jesus and b) believing that Jesus has been resurrected. When comparing it to this verse I think it is reasonable to conclude that Romans 10: 9 reflects two essential doctrines rather than a single compound doctrine. Meaning confessing Jesus and believing He was resurrected would only be effective if done in unison.
Deuteronomy 6: 4
1. Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
2. That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
3. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
I have included additional verses because they have an impact on the topic. While knowing the nature of God is important, the problem with these verses are that they don't mention anything about salvation. If a person keeps His commandments then their days will be prolonged, "it" will be well with them, and that they may have increase in the land of milk and honey. In other words, good things happen to the people who keep God's commandments.
The other problem is in defining what it means to be "one Lord." This passage simply does not do that.
Ephesians 4: 6
3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Again, I have included additional verses to help understand the key passage. And again, while knowing the nature of God is important, the problem with these verses are they don't mention anything about salvation being dependent upon knowing or believing that there is one Lord.
The second problem with this is verse 3 specifically mentions a unity of spirit rather than addressing the individual nature of God. Meaning we are all one. If one was being used as a literal measurement then there would only be a single baptism that applied to all people everywhere. I could argue how Jesus told the disciples about my father and your father, my God and your God as a proof against the sort of unity you are attempting to establish, but that isn't the topic. My comment really needs to go no further than pointing out that there is no mention of salvation being dependent upon believing that Jesus and Heavenly Father are one in the same entity.
