My Journey Into The Unknown, part 14

I mentioned that in order to join Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church we had to answer 5 questions in the affirmative. Those 5 questions are:

1. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God and without hope for your salvation except in His sovereign mercy?
2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the savior of sinners, and do you receive and depend upon Him alone for your salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
3. Do you now promise and resolve, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
4. Do you promise to serve Christ in His Church by supporting and participating with this congregation in its service of God and its ministry to others to the best of your ability?
5. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and to the spiritual oversight of this Church Session, and do you promise to promote the unity, purity and peace of this church?

The first three of these questions are a different way of presenting the gospel we read in the “Steps to Peace With God” booklet, as a part of the class. There are many ways to help someone know how to become a Christian, and many ways for the gospel to be presented. This booklet is only one. We are very pleased to be part of a church that takes special care to ensure that every member has at one time heard the gospel and responded to it.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons the members seem more willing (and even eager) to share their love for Jesus with others. Note that the five questions didn’t ask whether we agree 100% with every doctrine the church promotes. Like any church, members fit within a range of acceptance of doctrinal beliefs. The main thing is not absolute conformity but one’s relationship with Jesus Christ.

The church’s emphasis on “The Essentials” (mentioned earlier) and its latitude concerning “non-essentials” is fine with me. I can agree with their Essentials and I can answer the five questions affirmatively. Beyond that, I’m willing to dialogue.