Statement of Purpose - PLEASE READ

[MethodMan]

Questions by Non Christians Statement of Purpose​

The purpose of this forum is to help members who are seeking to become Christians, or to better understand Christianity. This forum is designed specifically for non-Christians to ask Christians, both staff and members, about Christianity, the Christian faith, Christian worship, and other questions about Christianity such as salvation, prayer life, miracles, and the gospel.

**Please remember that Christianity is about Christ and His merciful love, but that different denominations express their faith and worship of God in different ways.

1. All general CF rules apply to this forum.

2. Threads will only be started by Non Christians. Christians with questions about the faith should go to the Christians Only section, and ask in your congregation, or in the Theology section.

3. These threads must have an identifiable question.
These questions MUST be about the Christian faith itself. If the question either is a direct flame or implies a flame against Christianity/Christians/the Holy Bible/etc. it WILL be removed.

4. Questions that are proselytizing (preaching/advertising) a religion other than Christianity (atheism and witchcraft/psychics are considered religions on CF) or are blatently blasphemous to Christianity will be removed.

5. If the question is about the differences between the different religions, please post that question in General Apologetics.


6. If you want to ask about the behavior of a Christian or groups of Christians, please ask that in Ethics and Morality.

7.The threads will ONLY be answered by Nicene Creed agreeing Christians.

8. This forum is NOT for debate. Any argumentative posts will be removed or moved to the General Apologetics forum (or where ever applicable.)

9. Only the non-Christian OP may post further in the thread, ONLY if he/she is seeking clarification of a statement made by a Christian.

10. Other non Christians should really not participate in those threads which they have not generated. If they have a question, it is recommended that they open their own thread. If it's just asking for clarification/elaboration as to what someone meant in a response to the OP, PM the member that said it. Meaning, if what is said brings up a new question, please start a new thread. If it's just elaboration/clarification of what is said in the thread, please PM the member that said it.

11. Fellowship posts: A non Christian may participate in any of the three Outreach Forums with a fellowship (friendly) post as long as s/he doesn't answer the OP's question or respond to another poster in a debative manner. Example of a fellowship post:


Quote:
This is a very interesting discussion. I am hoping to learn more. Please continue this discussion.


Regarding debate:

This question was previously asked: “I understand that this is not a debate forum, but what do we do if a poster gives incorrect or unbiblical advice and will not respond to a PM?”

Please follow these guidelines when this happens:
Above all, write your message so that the OP feels safe in learning about the worship offered to the Triune Godhead in spite of the diversity found in Christianity
Always respond to the OP and respond to WHAT they said, not WHO said it.

Answer their questions and concerns, while ignoring any other posters, especially posts that appear to have rule violations.

Always remember to address the points made in the OP or the previous post, while carefully avoiding the word “you.”

Never use the phrases, “you are wrong” or “you are mistaken” or “you are in error.” These phrases are considered combative. Instead, calmly point out the truth. For example, “I believe that Christ teaches us this. . .”

Simply share with the OP the truth as you understand it, while responding to the OP’s questions and needs.
If you feel that a debate is ensuing, PM the other responder(s) and ask them to discuss the matter with you in PM or in a forum where debate is allowed. In this way, hopefully the OP or any other readers of the thread that may be lurking will not become confused.



Questions By Non-Christians will only be answered by Christians who adhere to the following:

Nicene Creed


We believe in (Romans 10: 8-10; 1 John 4: 15)
ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6: 4, Ephesians 4: 6)
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)
Son of God, (Mathew 14: 33; 16: 16)
Only-Begotten, (John 1: 18; 3: 16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1: 2)
Light from Light; (Psalm 27: 1; John 8: 12; Matthew 17: 2,5)
True God from True God; (John 17: 1-5)
Begotten, not made; (John 1: 18)
of one essence with the Father (John 10: 30)
through whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation (1 Timothy 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 He was crucified for us (Mark 15: 25; 1 Corinthians 15: 3)
under Pontius Pilate, (John 19: 6)
suffered, (Mark 8: 31)
and was buried. (Luke 23: 53; 1 Corinthians 15: 4)
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, (Luke 24: 1 1 Corinthians 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; 2 Timothy 4: 1)
Whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1: 11)

And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14: 26)
Lord, (Acts 5: 3-4)
Giver of Life, (Genesis 1: 2)
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]*; (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; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-49; Hebrews 6: 2; Revelation 20: 5)
and the life in the age to come. (Mark 10: 29-30)

AMEN. (Psalm 106: 48)


*The phrase in square brackets [and the Son] (known as the filioque clause) is not compulsory and does not need to be affirmed by members.

**The word "catholic" (literally, "universal") refers to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ and not necessarily or exclusively to any particular visible denomination or institution.

***This can be interpreted to mean that baptism is a matter of obedience and not a requirement for salvation or a regenerating ordinance.​