How can unbelievers know the essential beliefs of Christianity?

Tayla

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If someone is considering becoming a Christian, how can they know what is required of them? If they hear the gospel from multiple sources they will get different views on what is essential. (If you doubt this refer to this link.)

What are the essential beliefs of Christianity? Things that must be believed to be a Christian. Things that must be believed to be redeemed.

Seems everyone argues incessantly about non-essential beliefs, each thinking their list is essential, and other's lists are heretical.
 

RC1970

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If someone is considering becoming a Christian, how can they know what is required of them? If they hear the gospel from multiple sources they will get different views on what is essential. (If you doubt this refer to this link.)

What are the essential beliefs of Christianity? Things that must be believed to be a Christian. Things that must be believed to be redeemed.

Seems everyone argues incessantly about non-essential beliefs, each thinking their list is essential, and other's lists are heretical.
Start with the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
The holy Catholick Church;
The Communion of Saints;
The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting.
Amen.
 
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HereIStand

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Seeing oneself as a sinner and Christ as savior is the essential starting point. On that basis, basic Christian beliefs are added, such as those contained in the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed.
Sadly, there are those who have attended church for years and would presumably claim Christ as savior, yet they disbelieve in Christian basics, such as the Virgin Birth.
 
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bling

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This can go back to the fact: “The nonbeliever” cannot do anything worthy of something, anything righteous, or anything spiritual.” But that does not mean a dead (by Christ’s definition of dead) nonbeliever cannot “do” something, just like the prodigal son did something while in a dead state.

The dead nonbeliever can come to his senses (his actions while do this) and choose to accept or reject the Creator’s pure charity out of pure selfish reasoning.
 
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com7fy8

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John 6:44-45 > Jesus says people are brought by our Father to Jesus. And they are taught by God, so they learn and come to Christ. So, basically, our Heavenly Father teaches each one whom He brings to Christ. God makes sure a person gets what is essential. But self-favoring groups might not agree with God's things.

I think what is most essential is not the beliefs but how God prepares a person's heart so the person submits to Jesus and gets changed into the image of Jesus, by being perfected in God's love > 1 John 4:17.

And with this come beliefs about who God is and how He is, and who Jesus is and how Jesus is. It is not mainly about what label we give our Father and Jesus, but how we know They are. And He is all-loving, and Jesus expects us to become all-loving > "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?"(in Matthew 5:46)

And God's correction is essential > Hebrews 12:4-11. And I consider that if we need correction after becoming God's children, then this can mean we might not be perfect in our beliefs.

How about that "thief on the cross"? What was essential for him to believe? :)
 
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Tigger45

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>snip<How about that "thief on the cross"? What was essential for him to believe? :)
Acknowledging Jesus as the Savior.

Luke 23:39-43New American Standard Bible (NASB)
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was a]">[a]hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the b]">[b]Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving c]">[c]what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come[d]in Your kingdom!"43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
 
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Acts2:38

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If someone is considering becoming a Christian, how can they know what is required of them? If they hear the gospel from multiple sources they will get different views on what is essential. (If you doubt this refer to this link.)

What are the essential beliefs of Christianity? Things that must be believed to be a Christian. Things that must be believed to be redeemed.

Seems everyone argues incessantly about non-essential beliefs, each thinking their list is essential, and other's lists are heretical.

Read to them the bible or study with them or have them read it themselves.

The bible is like a 5th or 6th grade reading level. All one needs is some reading comprehension and the will to study.

Right down to the point though, salvation basically begins and continues as follows:

  1. Hear the word - Romans 10:17, Matthew 7:24-27
  2. Believe the word is true and believe in Jesus - Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16-15-16 (not faith only), James 2:24, John 12:42.
  3. Repent of your sins and transgressions - Act 2:38, Acts 17:30-31, Luke 13:3.
  4. Confess Jesus is the Son of God - Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:36-37.
  5. Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and to place you in Christ so Jesus can add you to His church and translate you into the Kingdom of God: Acts 2:38, Acts 2:47, Colossians 1:12-14.
Purpose: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 10:48, John 3:5; Luke 7:30. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 with Galatians 3:27.

Action: Romans 6:3-5, Acts 8:36-38, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23.

Infants need not to be baptized: Matthew 18:3, mark 10:13-15, Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 14:12.

6. Remain faithful until death - Revelation 2:10

Some examples of conversions:
  1. Jesus' Baptism - Matthew 3:13-17
  2. Day of Pentecost - Acts 2:22 and 36-47
  3. Samaria - Acts 8:4-13
  4. Ethiopian Eunuch - Acts 8:26-39
  5. Paul(Saul) - Acts 9:1-20 and 22:6-16
  6. Cornelius - Acts 101-48 and 11:1-18
  7. Lydia - Acts 16:13-15
  8. Many Corinthians - Acts 18:8
 
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Marvin Knox

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What are the essential beliefs of Christianity? Things that must be believed to be a Christian. Things that must be believed to be redeemed.
Realization that you are a sinner in need of salvation.

Acknowledgment of your falling short of what God requires you to be in order to be justified before Him and fellowship with Him.

Acknowledgment, on a personal level, that God's only method of providing such justification and resultant fellowship is the work of Jesus Christ on your behalf.

Communicate those beliefs to God in your own heartfelt way.

By faith, rest in His promises that you are now justified before God through Christ and Christ alone.

If you do not grieve Him by ignoring His impulses - the promised Holy Spirit will then convict you of any changes He wishes you to make in your life.
 
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ToBeLoved

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If someone is considering becoming a Christian, how can they know what is required of them? If they hear the gospel from multiple sources they will get different views on what is essential. (If you doubt this refer to this link.)

What are the essential beliefs of Christianity? Things that must be believed to be a Christian. Things that must be believed to be redeemed.

Seems everyone argues incessantly about non-essential beliefs, each thinking their list is essential, and other's lists are heretical.
Most people
Agree on. The essentials because there are only a few.

Maybe you mistake correct theology with requirements for salvation
 
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