My Doctrine

[Joshua Howard]

This is my doctrinal statement. Just out of curiosity, how does it line up with yours? Feel free to debate with me over any of these points. Thanks.

1. Salvation is attained through regret for past sin and the acknowledgment of grace through Jesus Christ.
1.1. Salvation may be lost, should the Christian cease to seek after holiness.
1.2. Salvation may not be re-attained if it is lost.
1.3. Salvation is made sure through the continued work of whole sanctification.

2. Whole Sanctification is attained through complete surrender to the will of God.
2.1. The finished work of sanctification is instantaneous in that it reaches a full state of completion.
2.2. The state of complete sanctification may be lost and re-attained.
2.3. The unsanctified heart is in danger of falling away and ultimately failing the grace of God.

3. Though there is only one Biblical truth, it is fully possible for a true Christian to hold doctrinal error.
3.1. The true Christian is any individual who has repented of past sin and is seeking to obey Jesus Christ.
3.2. True Christians may fall into many denominational sects which bear doctrinal falsity and still be saved.
3.3. It is the duty of the Church to correct the errors of others.
3.4. The Believer is not licenced to declare with authority the eternal destiny of any individual who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ, regardless of that individual’s apparent condition.

4. Every soul is given the right to accept or to deny the gift of salvation, and is not predestinated.

 

[kel32]

Joshua, Hi...

I am in agreement overall on your statements, except for the 'salvation' part. (Your 'sanctification' statement was right on!)

1. Salvation is attained through regret for past sin and the acknowledgment of grace through Jesus Christ

Yes, 'salvation' is attained "through regret for past sin and the acknowledgment of grace through Jesus Christ" ...Faith... but, is this 'salvation' the same 'eternal salvation' that will come on judgement day? No...

If you look at Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;" - this is referring to being saved from our past sins, and our old way of living according to the flesh. We are saved from the guilt of sin and restored to the favor of God. This is not referring to our 'salvation' that will come on the day of judgement.

1.1. Salvation may be lost, should the Christian cease to seek after holiness.

Salvation is not a 'possession', it is an 'event'. Yes, we can 'fall short' of salvation (at judgement day) but to say that you can 'lose' it, is saying that you already 'had it'. You cannot have something that is yet to come. Look at Romans 13:11, Heb. 9:28, Matthew 24:13.

"And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;" Rom.13:11

"so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him." Heb. 9:28

" But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13

1.2. Salvation may not be re-attained if it is lost.

Same as above...you can't lose what you don't yet have...

1.3. Salvation is made sure through the continued work of whole sanctification.

Absolutely!!!

~peace~

 

[Texas Lynn]

Items 1.2 and 2.2 appear to be in direct contradiction.

This does not appear to be Weslayan/Methodist doctrine.

 

[WesleyJohn]

.

 

[mindfull]

Has anything happened since World War One ?

---mindfull

 

[herev]

This is my doctrinal statement. Just out of curiosity, how does it line up with yours? Feel free to debate with me over any of these points. Thanks.

1. Salvation is attained through regret for past sin and the acknowledgment of grace through Jesus Christ.
1.1. Salvation may be lost, should the Christian cease to seek after holiness.
1.2. Salvation may not be re-attained if it is lost.
1.3. Salvation is made sure through the continued work of whole sanctification.

2. Whole Sanctification is attained through complete surrender to the will of God.
2.1. The finished work of sanctification is instantaneous in that it reaches a full state of completion.
2.2. The state of complete sanctification may be lost and re-attained.
2.3. The unsanctified heart is in danger of falling away and ultimately failing the grace of God.

3. Though there is only one Biblical truth, it is fully possible for a true Christian to hold doctrinal error.
3.1. The true Christian is any individual who has repented of past sin and is seeking to obey Jesus Christ.
3.2. True Christians may fall into many denominational sects which bear doctrinal falsity and still be saved.
3.3. It is the duty of the Church to correct the errors of others.
3.4. The Believer is not licenced to declare with authority the eternal destiny of any individual who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ, regardless of that individual’s apparent condition.

4. Every soul is given the right to accept or to deny the gift of salvation, and is not predestinated.

Wow, well thougth out--are you really 16?
as to my agreement/non-agreement.
Mostly agree--I believe we are saved by grace through faith (justifying grace). I do believe that we can fall from grace, but since the only way to experience salvation is through faith, the only way to lose it is to lose faith.
additionally, I super-agree with 3.4, but 1.3 (though I agree with) poses a dangerous stance. We can use such a stance to declare others as being lost, which of course, contradicts 3.4.
Good work!

 

[herev]

Items 1.2 and 2.2 appear to be in direct contradiction.

This does not appear to be Weslayan/Methodist doctrine.

Actually, that is very good Wesleyan doctrine (in terms of the distinction between salvation and sanctification). Wesley believed in Prevenient Grace (that which goes before), Justifying Grace (that which saves us and is instantaneous), and Sanctifying Grace (that which perfects us after salvation.)
A good case can be made for 1.2 above--losing salvation and not being able to re-obtain it, see Hebrews 6:4-6--though certainly there is more than one interpretation there.
as to sanctification, Wesley did believe that one could achieve it here in this life, though few did. To be able to achieve this perfect state is no guarantee that one will not fall in the future. And to fall in regards to sanctification is no guarantee that one will not achieve it again.