Comparisions of Faith

John 10:16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

Some 12 years ago, I gave a lot of thought to faith, and what I personally believe. I decided that I needed to write these down and keep them with me, to not only kep my way, but to compare to the various churchs I may attend throuh out life. Many know that most chruchs have a "Statement of Faith" or an "Articles of Faith" a quick list of ten to twelve things that the church sees as non-negotiable. I was curious to see what the Mormon faith said, and to compare it to my own Statement... I'm surprised. Very Surprised.

My personal Statement of Faith as last posted 6/30/08:

Just about every church in America has a Statement of Faith posted somewhere. It's a statement of what the Church believes, and often why the church believes it. The problem is many church goers read and forget these core values. They really don't mean that much, just a cleaver list of ideas, that people recite sometimes to distinguish themselves from others.

Well personally, I think every person should have a statement of faith, so I decided to write my own several years ago. I still believe it 100% today! 

 I believe that the Bible is the inspired,  infallible, authoritative Word of God. That the volume of the book is about Christ; it is one book in 66 parts penned by 40 authors over thousands of years, yet it is one message. I believe that the "New Testament" is in the old concealed, and that the "Old Testament" is in the new revealed.

 I believe everyone will be held accountable for their views on the creation story, the fall, and the plan for redemption.

 I believe in six literal days.

 I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth; in His sinless life; in His miracles; in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood; in His bodily resurrection; in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (were He now sits) and in His personal return in power and glory. (To rule over the whole world in Jerusalem, as king, on the physical throne of David, for a literal one thousand years.)

 I believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for salvation; that this regeneration, happens when one believes in Christ, and commits their life to Him.

 I believe in the gifts of the Spirit.

 I believe baptism, only in imersion, is nothing more than an outward expression of an inward change.

 I believe once saved, always saved. Salvation is not based on what we do; it is based solely on His Grace.

 I believe that in eternity everyone will be raised, those who are saved to live with God - those who are lost, to eternal separation from God and damnation.

 I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is available to believers as the source of power to live a Godly life.

 I believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ

 I believe that through faith, we are saved.

From Mormon.org

13 Articles of Faith

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.