"…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)
While I understand what people mean when they ask the question ‘What does your church believe?’, I believe it is far more helpful to sinners and ultimately to God’s people, to ask the question ‘whom have you believed?’
The gospel that God’s people rejoice in, is not found in an ‘ism’, it is found in a ‘whom’. The Apostle Paul and all who believe on Jesus Christ rejoice in Him, knowing that He is mighty to save. God’s people don’t rejoice in mere theological truths, or in a denominational distinctive, we rejoice in a person, Christ Jesus the Lord. God’s word declares “He will save” for “He shall save His people from their sins!” (Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 1:21).
Sadly, today there are many who say they believe in Jesus Christ, but who have not as yet, by God’s grace, been made to actually believe Him and what He teaches sinners [2 John 1:9].
The importance of Christ’s doctrine can not be emphasized enough; for those who depart from His teaching “hath not God.” It is so vitally important to you that you continue with those who follow Christ and abide in His doctrine. I trust that as you read this you were comforted by Him who “shall save”, and led to continue with those the Holy Ghost tells us by His servant John; “hath both the Father and the Son” our dear Lord and God Jesus Christ [2 John 1:9]. -- Joseph D. Murphy