Introduction
I write this teaching as a response to the erratic thinking that it is wrong for believers in general, and for Christian leaders to have shared beliefs on the true doctrine of Jesus Christ, and as always, we will let the Bible speak!
In the Christian community, the principle of "things commonly believed among us" refers to the core doctrines and shared beliefs that unify believers.
Luke 1:1-4 (King James Version)
1 "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 even as they were delivered unto us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed."
There are six foundational doctrines of Christ, as listed in Hebrews. They are fundamental teachings that form the basis of Christian faith, and are critical for believers to grow and mature in Christ.
Hebrews 6:1-2 (New King James Version)
1 "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
The six foundational doctrines are:
1. Repentance from dead works.
2. Faith toward God.
3. Doctrine of baptisms.
4. Laying on of hands.
5. Resurrection of the dead.
6. Eternal judgment.
(We will cover these foundational doctrines in greater detail in the future).
These six foundational truths, rooted in Scripture, form the bedrock of Christian fellowship and collective identity.
These shared beliefs also include core doctrines like the inerrancy of Scripture, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, the doctrine of God, and the coming of Christ.
They also extend to ethical standards, such as the importance of sexual purity, honesty, generosity, and serving one another in love.
Understanding and adhering to these common beliefs is critical for maintaining unity, fostering spiritual growth, and effectively witnessing to the world.
The Biblical Basis for and Importance of Common Beliefs
Unity in Faith
As Christians, we are called to live in unity and fellowship with one another. A key aspect of this is maintaining "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ASV)
3 "Giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all."
This underscores the oneness of the Christian faith, highlighting that believers are united by their shared beliefs in one God, one Lord (Jesus Christ), and one Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 1:10, the apostle Paul exhorts the believers in Corinth to be "perfectly united in mind and thought."
Shared beliefs are crucial for fostering unity and fellowship within a Christian community.
When believers are united in their understanding of key doctrines, it creates a sense of belonging and mutual support.
Paul, in Philippians 2:2, encourages the church to be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."
This like-mindedness creates a harmonious and effective spiritual environment. The devil eagerly seeks to destroy that environment through vain arguments and quarrels from our selfish desires to stop us from being nourished by the Word.
James 4:1 (LITV)
"From where do wars and fightings among you come? Is it not from this, from your lusts warring in your members?"
Upholding unity is vital for the health of the church. When we are united around the essential beliefs, it strengthens our fellowship. As the psalmist says, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1).
On the other hand, when we allow divisive debates over peripheral issues to take priority over our core shared beliefs, it weakens the church and hinders our ability to fulfill the Great Commission.
As Paul warned the Corinthians, "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
The idea behind unity is that within the Christian community, there should be a core set of beliefs, convictions, and practices that we hold in common.
These are the "things commonly believed among us" - the foundational truths of our faith that bind us together.
The purpose of the ministry gifts of Christ to the church is to bring all believers to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (LITV)
11 "And indeed He gave some to be apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers;
12 with a view to the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,
13 until we all may come to the unity of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Unity of faith and of the knowledge of Jesus Christ is essential for the health and effectiveness of any Christian community, whether physical or online.
This unity is not baseless, but is based on the guidelines of the doctrine of Christ, and not just by the claim to Christian faith. Anyone can claim to be a Christian, but not everyone who make the claim is a true Christian.
Ultimately, the principle of "things commonly believed among us" is not about uniformity or rigid conformity.
It's about maintaining unity in the essentials while allowing for healthy diversity in the non-essentials.
As the old yet true saying goes, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
This leads us to the next point... 👉
Doctrinal Foundation
The teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles as recorded in the New Testament, provide the doctrinal foundation for the Christian faith.
Ephesians 2:19-20 (WEB)
19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God,
20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone."
The message of Jesus Christ in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is the cornerstone for the doctrinal foundation of the Christian faith, and both the apostles are the supporting stones in it.
The four Gospels of Christ are to the New Testament what the five books of Moses (Pentateuch) are to the Old Testament. Christ is the foundation of the New Testament as Moses was in the Old Testament.
About Christ, Moses himself said, "Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him," (Deuteronomy 18:15 WEB). So, one can not obey Moses in this age by following the his Law, for he already told us to listen to Christ who was to come.
The Law of Moses is the foundation upon which the Psalms and Prophets were written, and likewise, the Gospels are the foundation upon which the apostolic letters and revelations were written.
No Psalmist or Prophet wrote in contradiction to the Law of Moses, because they all were standing on his foundation.
Luke 24:44 (WEB)
He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
Likewise no apostle wrote in contradiction to the Law of Christ in the New Testament, including Paul. They all wrote based on the foundation that was already laid in the four Gospels. Paul himself said that no one among the apostles could lay a different foundation
1 Corinthians 3:11 (WEB)
"For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ."
The early Christians were committed to the teachings of the apostles, which included six core doctrines of Christ forming the basis of the common beliefs that most Christians throughout church history hold.
Acts 2:42,
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Anyone who comes up with a revelation or teaching different to the foundation of Jesus Christ in the Gospels must be rejection, whether he or she is human or even an angel.
Galatians 1:8-9 (LITV)
8 "But even if we, or an angel out of Heaven, should preach a gospel to you beside the gospel we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, and now I say again, If anyone preaches a gospel beside what you received, let him be accursed."
Guarding and Defending the Faith
Believers are called to guard these core truths against false teachings.
2 Timothy 1:13-14,
"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
This highlights the responsibility of Christians to preserve the integrity of their shared beliefs and to pass them on faithfully to future generations.
Believers are not supposed to accept some new uncommon theories disguised as new revelations held by individuals or a few people who claim to be the 'elect.'
We must defend the common salvation and faith which was once delivered to the saints by Christ Jesus and His apostles.
Jude 1:3 (LITV)
"Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints."
This means that all claims to revelation and truth must be tested by the leadership of a Christian community based on the scriptural foundation of Jesus Christ.
Anyone who disregards the scrutiny and loving correction of the leaders based on the foundation of Christ must be ignored, regardless of how gifted he maybe.
1 Corinthians 14:37-38 (Complete Jewish Bible)
37 "If anyone thinks he is a prophet or is endowed with the Spirit, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord.
38 But if someone doesn’t recognize this, then let him remain unrecognized."
Basis for Correction and Restoration
The information age has given voice to all without exception. On the internet we read and hear Christians rebuking and counter-rebuking each other.
Some preachers are calling each other out every week and this creating more confusion than helping the situation.
The 'things commonly believed among us' concerning the foundation of Jesus Christ are the only truth by which anyone can effectively correct and restore brethren who are going astray.
James 5:19-20 (LITV)
19 "If anyone among you goes astray from the truth, brothers, and anyone turns him back,
20 know that the one turning a sinner from the error of his way will save the soul from death, and will hide a multitude of sins."
Remember, the goal of correction is restoration, it is not to prove yourself and others wrong.
There has to be a shared set of beliefs that form the truth for us to understand what error is. Then we can identify a brother who has erred and know how to help him.
Encouraging Spiritual Growth
Common beliefs provide a framework for spiritual growth and maturity. They offer a clear understanding of who God is, what He has done, and how believers are to live in response.
Colossians 2:6-7,
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Being "rooted and built up" in the faith involves a deepening understanding of shared doctrines, which in turn strengthens the believer's relationship with God.
Spiritual growth based on the foundation of Jesus Christ is what protects the believers from the different winds (spirits) of false doctrines that blow through the cunning and deceptive ministry of false prophets.
Matthew 7:15-27 (New King James Version)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Ephesians 4:11-14 (New King James Version)
11 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting."
Enhancing Witness to the World
A community with common beliefs can more effectively witness to the world. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers for the salvation of the world through faith.
John 17:21,
"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Unity in beliefs and practice serves as a powerful testimony to the reality of Jesus Christ and His transformative power, leading to healthy church growth. as experienced in the early church.
Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47 (ASV)
42 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved."
How to address disagreements within the Christian community without compromising our shared beliefs.
Distinguish between essentials and non-essentials.
As mentioned earlier in this teaching, there are core doctrinal beliefs and ethical standards that are essential to the Christian faith.
These are the "things commonly believed among us" that we must uphold.
But, there are many secondary issues where reasonable Christians can disagree.
It's important to have clarity on which beliefs fall into each category. Let us not major on the minor and minor on the major issues.
Maintain unity in the essentials.
When it comes to the foundational tenets of our faith and righteous living, we must strive for unity. Compromising on these essential beliefs undermines the purpose, integrity and witness of the church.
Anyone called a believer who lives contrary to the "things commonly believed among us," is free to leave the fellowship and should not have a share in the holy communion.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (ASV)
11 "But as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
12 For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves."
As Paul warned the Thessalonians, we must withdraw ourselves from individuals, and Christian communities which are opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 (LITV)
"And we enjoin you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to draw yourselves back from every brother walking in a disorderly way, and not according to the teaching which you received from us."
Withdrawing yourself includes unfriending people, unfollowing pages and leaving groups or platforms on social media.
Allow for diversity in the non-essentials.
In areas that are not core to our faith, we should extend grace and freedom for differing perspectives.
This could include issues of church polity, social/political views, methods of worship, etc. As the saying goes, we should have "unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things."
Approach disagreements with humility, diplomacy and love.
Even when addressing significant disagreements, we must do so with an attitude of grace, patience, and mutual understanding.
Ephesians 4:2-3 instructs us to be "completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Attack the faulty doctrine and not the person who shared it. Never attack or insult the person you are trying to correct, for all they will hear is the insult and not the correction.
Don't allow yourself to be provoked into defending yourself by attacking the other person. You may be insulted, but never insult. Don't lose the sight of the goal to win the lost soul.
Sometimes we think people are rejecting the truth when in actual fact they are rejecting they way we present it. Our speech must be 'seasoned with salt' in answering all people.
Colossians 4:6 (LITV)
"Let your word be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer each one."
Be a teachable teacher.
Discuss with a mind open to receive just you want others to receive from you. Be eager to be corrected just as you are eager to correct.
Never assume that you are right at any time. Don't take the high chair of the teacher in your heart as you approach regardless of your spirituality or education.
Everyone is different and has something different to give. Submitting to one another is key to healthy discussions.
Ephesians 5:21
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Focus on what unites us, not what divides us.
It's easy to get caught up in debates over peripheral issues. But we must maintain perspective on the core beliefs and mission that bind us together as the body of Christ. As Colossians 3:14 says, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Seek wisdom from mature spiritual leaders.
When you get stuck while navigating complex disagreements, it's valuable to seek counsel from mature Christians, pastors, and other leaders who can provide biblical wisdom and insight. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
Ultimately, the goal is to preserve the unity of the Spirit while also upholding the truth of Scripture.
It requires wisdom, humility, and a relentless commitment to the essentials of the faith.
But by doing so, we can model for the world what it looks like to be "one body and one Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4), bound together by the love of Christ.
CONCLUSION
The principle of "things commonly believed among us" is foundational to the life and health of a Christian community.
Rooted in Scripture, these shared beliefs promote unity, encourage spiritual growth, and enhance the community's witness to the world.
By holding fast to the core doctrines of the faith, Christians can fulfill their calling to love God, love one another, and make disciples of all nations.
By embracing this principle, we can cultivate a vibrant, Christ-centered community that is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20).
In doing so, we will better fulfill our calling to be "one body" and "one Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4), bringing glory to God and pointing the world to the transformative power of the gospel.
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