Tammy Rose asks: God bless you guys. How do we know if we are in a proper church or when it's time to leave? When you speak of a well-balanced church, what is essential Christian doctrine?

God bless you Tammy,

First, we'd like to point out that secondary issues (none essentials) should not cause division in church. Those issues can be debated in a healthy way (with gentleness and respect). However, we do hold that primary issues should cause separation, because they turn the gospel of Jesus Christ, into a "gospel that is no gospel at all" (Galatians 1:6-7).

In other words, primary issues (essentials), are the fundamentals/foundation on which the Gospel of Christ is built on. Thus, when these essentials are denounced, then Gospel of Christ, becomes the Gospel of cults.

At BRC, we consider these essentials:

1. The Deity of Christ - Jesus Christ is the eternal Creator God. (John 1, Hebrews 1, Colossians 1, Revelation 2). During his earthly ministry Jesus claimed to be God (John 5:18, John 8:58, John 10:30-33). He proved his claim to deity by living a sinless life, (John 8:46, 2 Corinthians 5:22, Hebrews 4:15), by manifesting his power over nature (Mark 4:38), over fallen angels (Luke 4:35), over sickness (Matthew 4:23) over death (John 4:50, John 11: 43-44, 1 Corinthians 15), and he accurately prophesied the Judgment of God on on Jerusalem through the destruction of the Temple that took place in A.D. 70 (Matthew 24:1-2, 32-35).

2. The Trinity - While the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, the understanding behind the Trinity is crystal clear.

A) There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10).

B) The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God (1 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 1:8, Isaiah 9:6, Acts 5:3-4).

C) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternally distinct (Matthew 28:19, John 15:26, John 17:1-26). Last but not least, Moses cleverly referred to God as Elohim (in regard to a plurality of persons, not a plurality of gods).

3. Canon/Scripture - 39 Hebrew books of the Old Testament and 27 Greek books of the New Testament are divine rather than human in origin. This has been proven by the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in Jesus. These prophesies that could not be fulfilled by good guessing, luck, or chance, as these circumstances where uncontrollable (unless divine) such as; his descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:3; 17:19; Matthew 1:1–2; Acts 3:25); his birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1–6); his crucifixion with criminals (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38; Luke 22:37); the piercing of his hands and feet on the cross (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25); the soldiers gambling for his clothes (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35); the piercing of his side (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34); the fact that his bones were not broken at his death (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33–37); and his burial among the rich (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57–60).

4. Sin - More than murder, stealing, or rape, sin describes anything that fails God's standards of holiness. The Bible clearly teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God " (Romans 3:23). Therefore all people are Cursed as a result of the first Adam. Adam brought death to us all (Genesis 3:1, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Ephesians 2:3). However, God provided redemption through the work of the second Adam, which is Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-21).

5. Resurrection - The four gospels record the bodily Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Not only does this prove the deity of Christ, but also ensures the future bodily resurrection into eternal life for those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

6. New Creation - Through the resurrection of Jesus, atonement for sin has been given to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The essential doctrine of New Creation is perfectly explained by Paul, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, all who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and confess him as Lord, will inherent eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).

7. Eschatology - The study of end-times. While there are different views and Christians debate the secondary aspects of eschatology, such as; the timing of tribulation, the meaning of the millennium, or the identity of the two witnesses. However, we should all be in agreement that as Christ came once to bear the sins of the world, He will return a second time (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hebrews 9:27-28). "On that day, all will rise, those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned". (John 5:28-29). Lastly, paradise will be restored, and the problem of sin and Satan will be completely resolved (Revelation 20-22).

Hope this helps, and God bless Tammy.

Comments:

Tammy Rose: Thank you guys so much. With so many religions and denominations out there, it's hard to be sure we are in the right place. My church does hold to these essentials. So thanks again, and may God bless your ministry!

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks Tammy, God bless and thanks for the question.

Lucas Tanner: In my church they teach that Jesus is the Son of God, but not God Almighty, I've read your answer on the Trinity, and I definitely agree with you guys, but I always overlook what they teach. But I guess you are right, that is a bit more serious than other issues.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Lucas, churches that denounces the deity of Jesus, are in the same category as Jehovah Witnesses. Do you consider them to be a Christian denomination?

Lucas Tanner: No, I've always seen them as a cult, but I see that my church is in exactly the same situation. I think it's about time to look for a well balanced church. I need to do what's right for my family. Thanks for doing what you guys do. And God bless you.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless you as well Lucas. Thanks for reaching out. We will keep you and your family in prayers.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"