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In order for someone to fall within the definition of "Christian," must they believe in the Trinity? How about the entire Nicene Creed?
The doctrine of the Trinity has been stated as "the one God exists in three Persons and one substance, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
NB: The term One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Nicene Creed is not meant to refer in this context to the Roman Catholic Church, rather it refers to the notion that all Christians are part of one Church, regardless of denominational divisions.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN
(1) A person can accurately be called a Christian even if they don't believe in the Trinity.
(2) For a person to be called a Christian they must believe in the Trinity, but they need not believe everything found in the Nicene Creed.
(3) For a person to be called a Christian they must believe--at least in substance--with everything in the Nicene Creed (including the Trinity, of course!)
Last edited by DreamingSpires; 12-11-2009 at 01:01 PM..
In order for someone to fall within the definition of "Christian," must they believe in the Trinity? How about the entire Nicene Creed?
Trinity is defined as "the doctrine of the Trinity has been stated as "the one God exists in three Persons and one substance, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN
(1) A person can accurately be called a Christian even if they don't believe in the Trinity.
(2) For a person to be called a Christian they must believe in the Trinity, but they need not believe everything found in the Nicene Creed.
(3) For a person to be called a Christian they must believe--at least in substance--with everything in the Nicene Creed (including the Trinity, of course!)
To be a Roman Catholic you need to believe in the trinity and adhere to the Nicene Creed
To be a christian you need to believe that Jesus is the way the truth and life and that no one comes to the Father but through him
Scratch the part about the Catholic church (His body is the Church) and I'm on board. Another thread, but the Father is my father - not a pope.
Elmer,
I have added the following clarification:
NB: The term One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Nicene Creed is not meant to refer in this context to the Roman Catholic Church, rather it refers to the notion that all Christians are part of one Church, regardless of denominational divisions.
NB: The term One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Nicene Creed is not meant to refer in this context to the Roman Catholic Church, rather it refers to the notion that all Christians are part of one Church, regardless of denominational divisions.
Apologies for not stating that more clearly.
Fair enough.
The term "catholic" is defined as "universal" - of that I agree. Catholics however engage in practices that I consider unnecessary at best...I'll stop there.
Ephesians 1: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Acts 10: 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Now note this: No coming forward to confess with their mouth that they had believed for while they had heard those words, they believed, and the Holy Ghost fell on them as promised and thus they are saved. From verses 34-43, Peter did not even mention that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, but they had received Him anyway because Jesus gave the Spirit by promise for coming to and believing in Jesus Christ.
As it is, Jesus calls his disciples to train believers to be disciples in following His sayings in learning of Him through the scriptures. We are to edify one another in the knowledge of Him so that our love may abound yet more and more. There are no more chasms to cross nor hurdles to jump for those that believe are saved, but those that do see hurdles to jump and a mountain to climb, they have not mixed their beliefs with faith in those that heard the Gospel and thus are labouring in unbelief. Although saved, they have come short of that rest which is the result of what catholicism does. The doctrine of purgatory proves it along with all the extras in shortening that stay in it as if He is not able to bring you Home by faith alone.
Anyone who is a follower of the teachings of Jesus is a Christian.
AMEN!!! There isn't one piece of scripture to be found that says one has to believe in a Trinity or a man made creed to be considered a Christ Follower (Christian)!
Location: Comunistafornia, and working to get out ASAP!
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As a Christian I'm convinced the Bible teaches a Godhead. I prefer not to use the word trinity. As a real believer you will believe in the Godhead because the Holy Spirit will teach you this truth.
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37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 
