#public #CoreChristianBeliefs #Apologetics # Core Christian Beliefs / How to Evaluate a Church / Simple Tools to Grow > [!example]+ Table of Contents > [[#🧡 CORE CHRISTIAN BELIEFS (The Non-Negotiables)]] > [[#🧭 HOW TO EVALUATE A CHURCH OR TEACHING]] > [[#🛠 Simple Tools to Help Her Grow in Faith]] > [[#📖 Suggested Bible Passages to Learn]] --- ## 🧡 CORE CHRISTIAN BELIEFS (The Non-Negotiables) These are the essentials—what all genuine Christian churches through history and across denominations have affirmed: ### 1. **The Bible is God’s Word**. > _The Bible is inspired, authoritative, and sufficient for teaching truth and guiding life._ - **Key Verse**: 2 Timothy 3:16–17 - **Practical Tip**: Look for a church that teaches _from_ the Bible, _not just about_ the Bible. --- ### 2. **God is Trinity**. > _One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit._ - **Key Verse**: Matthew 28:19 - **Danger to Avoid**: Groups denying the Trinity (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostals) --- ### 3. **Jesus is Fully God and Fully Man**. > _Jesus Christ is eternally God, born as a man to save us._ - **Key Verse**: John 1:1,14 - **Watch Out For**: Churches or groups that treat Jesus as only a great teacher or a created being. --- ### 4. **The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Saves Us**. > _Jesus died in our place and rose again to defeat sin and death._ - **Key Verse**: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 - **Core Truth**: Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:14) --- ### 5. **Salvation is by Grace Through Faith**. > _We are saved by trusting in Christ, not by earning it._ - **Key Verse**: Ephesians 2:8–9 - **False Teaching to Avoid**: Anyone who says you need works (like baptism, sacraments, or good deeds) _to be saved_ rather than as a result of salvation. --- ### 6. **The Holy Spirit Lives in Every Believer**. > _He empowers, guides, convicts, and comforts us._ - **Key Verse**: Romans 8:9, John 14:26 --- ### 7. **The Church is God’s People.** > _The universal body of believers and local gatherings of Christians who worship, grow, and serve together._ - **Key Verse**: Hebrews 10:24–25 --- ### 8. **Jesus Will Return.** > _Christ will return to judge the living and the dead and restore all things._ > The "when," "where," and "how" are up to Him. - **Key Verse**: Acts 1:11, Revelation 21:1–5 --- ## 🧭 HOW TO EVALUATE A CHURCH OR TEACHING ### ✅ Truth Questions - **Does this church believe and teach the Bible as the ultimate authority?** - **Is Jesus the center of their preaching and worship?** - **Do they believe Jesus is the only way to God?** (John 14:6) - **Do they clearly teach the gospel—salvation by grace through faith?** ### ❤️ Character Questions - **Is there genuine love for people, not just performance?** (John 13:35) - **Are they humble and teachable—or controlling and harsh?** - **Do they care more about growing people than growing a brand?** ### 🔥 Practice Questions - **Is the Word preached clearly and faithfully?** - **Do they pray and live dependently on God’s Spirit?** - **Do they make disciples, not just attract crowds?** --- ## 🛠 Simple Tools to Grow Steadily in Faith ### 1. **Read the Bible Regularly.** Start with a gospel like John or Luke. Look for these three things: - What does it say about God? - What does it say about people? - What should I do in response? ### 2. **Ask Big Questions Without Fear** Always follow the truth, but look for truth. Don't follow celebrities or social media influencers. Follow God's Word. Doubts are not enemies—they're opportunities to build real faith. You are not the first person to ask questions. The answers are out there if you will take the time to dig. ### 3. **Learn a Statement of Faith** Point her to trusted summaries like: - [The Apostles’ Creed](https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/apostles-creed) - The Nicene Creed - Simplified Summary of the Nicene Creed: - **God the Father:** We believe in one God, the Father, the creator of everything.  - **Jesus Christ:** We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven. He will return to judge the living and the dead.  - **Holy Spirit:** We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and Son.  - **The Church:** We believe in one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church. - [The Real Life Church Statement of Faith](https://www.experiencerlc.com/beliefs/). ### 4. **Listen to Good Teaching** Podcasts like: - _The Bible Recap_ (helps with reading through Scripture) - _The Bible Project_ (visual theology) - The Bible Breakdown (daily Bible reading) --- ## 📖 Suggested Bible Passages to Learn - John 3:16 — The Gospel in a sentence - Romans 5:8 — God’s love shown through the cross - Ephesians 2:8–10 — Grace saves us, and then God gives us purpose - 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — The Bible is sufficient - 1 John 4:9–10 — Love defined by Jesus - Titus 3:5 — Salvation is a gift, not something we earn