Essentials
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In the context of Christian theology and practice, "essentials" refer to the core beliefs and practices that are fundamental to the Christian faith. These essentials are often distinguished from non-essential or secondary issues, which may vary among different denominations and traditions. The essentials are derived from Scripture and have been affirmed throughout church history as foundational to the faith.

1. The Nature of God

The essential belief in the nature of God is rooted in the understanding of the Trinity: one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is foundational to Christian doctrine. The Bible affirms the oneness of God in passages such as Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One." The triune nature of God is also evident in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

2. The Authority of Scripture

The Bible is considered the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is essential for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Berean Standard Bible translates 2 Timothy 3:16 as, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

3. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Central to the Christian faith is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. His incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection are essential for salvation. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The atonement is captured in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

4. Salvation by Grace through Faith

Salvation is a gift from God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. This essential doctrine is clearly articulated in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

5. The Resurrection and Eternal Life

The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, guaranteeing believers' future resurrection and eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:20 declares, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." The promise of eternal life is affirmed in John 3:16 : "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

6. The Church and Its Mission

The Church, as the body of Christ, is essential for the fellowship of believers, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the administration of the sacraments. The mission of the Church is to make disciples of all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 : "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

7. The Return of Christ

The second coming of Christ is an essential belief, affirming that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. This hope is expressed in passages like Acts 1:11 , where the angels tell the disciples, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven."

These essentials form the bedrock of Christian faith and practice, guiding believers in their understanding of God, salvation, and their role in the world.
Greek
1876. epanagkes -- necessary, of necessity
... 15:28). Word Origin from epi and anagke Definition necessary, of necessity
NASB Word Usage essentials (1). necessary. Neuter of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1876.htm - 7k
Library

The Essentials of Prayer
The Essentials of Prayer. <. The Essentials of Prayer Edward M. Bounds. Table
of Contents. Title Page. FOREWORD. I. PRAYER TAKES IN THE WHOLE MAN. II. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/

Three Essentials.
... (Mark vi:30-34.) Three Essentials. There are three simple essentials here
for the man who would be following his Master fully. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/three essentials.htm

The Three Essentials of Prayer
... CHAPTER 9 THE THREE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER. THE THREE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER ". . .
Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 9 the three essentials.htm

The Essentials of Prayer
The Essentials of Prayer. <. The Essentials of Prayer Edward M. Bounds.
Title Page. THE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER. [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/title page.htm

Foreword
The Essentials of Prayer. <. ... salvation of his readers. The Essentials
of Prayer is sent forth in this spirit. May God bless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/foreword.htm

Whether Every Error is an Impediment to Matrimony?
... take due care. Wherefore error, in order to void marriage, must needs be
about the essentials of marriage. Now marriage includes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether every error is an.htm

Preface
... her past, I have hoped to contribute to a fairer judgment of the men and measures
of colonial times, and to a correct estimate of those essentials in religion ...
/.../greene/the development of religious liberty in connecticut/preface.htm

Christian Unity.
... Whether or no we ought to all believe precisely alike about non-essentials, one
thing is sure, the man who does not cleave to some faith, heart and head and ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter v christian unity.htm

Forms Versus Character
... Therefore we can extend the principle here to all externalisms of worship, in all
forms, in all churches, and say that in comparison with the essentials of an ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/forms versus character.htm

The Good Shepherd: a Farewell Sermon
... him, are filled with the Holy Ghost, we shall not entertain our audiences with disputes
about rites and ceremonies, but shall treat upon the essentials of the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the good shepherd a farewell.htm

Thesaurus
Essentials (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Essentials (1 Occurrence). Acts 15:28 For it
seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden ...
/e/essentials.htm - 6k

Essential (2 Occurrences)

/e/essential.htm - 7k

Cutter (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A fore tooth; an incisor. 4. (n.) A boat used by ships of war. 5. (n.) A
fast sailing vessel with one mast, rigged in most essentials like a sloop. ...
/c/cutter.htm - 8k

Christianity
... The Christian essentials are those elements, historical and dogmatic, without which
Christianity would lose in whole or in part its living power to reconcile ...
/c/christianity.htm - 101k

Establish (133 Occurrences)

/e/establish.htm - 39k

Education (4 Occurrences)
... the variety and effectiveness of their teaching method, their marvelous simplicity
and directness of speech, their dramatic emphasis upon essentials and their ...
/e/education.htm - 40k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... industry and laziness, prudence and presumption, reticence and prating, etc., and
so far forth it was a masterly analysis of the essentials of individual and ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Parousia
... This conception of the church as a divine quantity, as, so to speak, a part of heaven
extended into earth, is faithful to the essentials of the predictions. ...
/p/parousia.htm - 36k

Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... love. Given this fact, all the essentials of religion and life follow as
a matter of course. God is Father, all men are brothers. ...
/s/sermon.htm - 39k

Eschatology
... Greek conceptions). The Hebrew conception of Sheol, the gathering-place of
the dead, is not in essentials dissimilar. "The resemblance ...
/e/eschatology.htm - 70k

Resources
What are the essentials of the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

Christianity Essentials ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Thematic Content Index | GotQuestions.org

Essentials: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Essentials (1 Occurrence)

Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Essentials

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Essential Requirements
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