There are many Scripture interpretations that we can debate. But there are very few doctrines absolutely necessary, and the Cults will inevitably deny or twist them. Remember first, it’s all about Jesus, and it’s Jesus they attack. Here are some doctrines that are necessary.

1. ~ ~ ~ THE ATONEMENT

Why did Jesus Christ come into the world?

We are born with a fallen human nature. With sin guilt, we cannot enter heaven. Justice demands that there has to be judgment on our sin. There is no way we can atone for our sin, as we are sinners by nature. Jesus Christ came into the world to bear the judgment on our sins in our place.

2. ~ ~ ~ THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

One of Satan’s favorite heresies is a direct attack on the deity of Jesus Christ. Here’s what the Scriptures say about the deity of Christ:

The mystery of godliness is this:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
GOD WAS MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH,
justified in the Spirit, seen by angels,
preached among the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up in glory.”
1st Timothy 3:15-16

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When Jesus Christ asked Peter, one of his followers, to define what he believes about Christ, Peter answered:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
 Matthew 16:16

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A child is born who is both man and God:

“For unto us a CHILD is born,
unto us a Son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder.
Wonderful, Counselor, MIGHTY GOD,
ETERNAL FATHER, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

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Thomas doubted the resurrection of Christ, but Jesus appeared to him and showed him the scars in his hands. Then Thomas said:

“And Thomas answered and said to him,
‘my Lord and my GOD!’”
John 20:28

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3. ~ ~ ~ SALVATION IS BY GRACE, NOT WORKS

Most religions teach that we are saved if our good outweighs our bad. This heresy has corrupted many religions. It is an attack on the sufficiency of what Jesus Christ did in the atonement. The truth is that grace is grace and cannot be earned.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works;
otherwise grace is no longer grace.
But if it is of works, it is no longer grace;
otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 11:6

4. ~ ~ ~ THE BLESSED HOPE

The blessed hope of the believer is the glorious appearing of our God:

“…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing
of OUR GREAT GOD and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us…”
Titus 2:13-14

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5. Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency

This means that the Bible is more than a book written by average people. Its source is divine. It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life (2nd Timothy 3:16; 2nd Peter 1:20; 3:15-16).

If you are told that there is another book, also inspired but apart from the Bible, then you can know that scripture’s authority and sufficiency is being attacked. If you are told that the Bible is not the Word of God, or that it only contains some of the Word of God, then its inspiration is being attacked. This is a common attack by Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses against the Bible.

6. Jesus’ incarnation

This means that the fullness of God dwelt in a human body, in Jesus, from conception (Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:19). Attacks against Jesus’ incarnation are popular with Muslims. Attacks against the virgin birth are also attacks against incarnation.

7. Jesus’ humanity

This means that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully divine
(Luke 2:52; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 5:8).

8. Jesus’ crucifixion

Jesus’ crucifixion is a historical fact, but some religions deny it took place. This is especially true of Muslims and the Quran, which state that Jesus was never crucified.

9. Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead

Some religions teach that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually. The Bible denies this and states clearly that Jesus rose bodily (physically) from the dead, never to die again (Luke 24:12; 24:39-43; Ist Corinthians 15:3-8).

10. Jesus’ Lordship (authority)

Lordship is not something that many Christians fully understand. In essence, it means that Jesus Christ has sovereign authority over all things (Matthew 28:18). He has the right to do with us whatever it is that he deems to do, according to his good pleasure. He is Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 6:23, 10:9; 2nd Corinthians 4:5). Religions which deny Jesus’ deity usually deny his lordship as well.

11. Sin

Every religion has a view of man as good, but misguided, or uneducated, or unenlightened, etc. Only the Bible portrays man as having a sin nature that is in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, only God can provide a solution to our sin problem. He did that in sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Denying the doctrine of sin denies the need for forgiveness and salvation, which guts the Gospel. Also, watch out for redefinitions of sin, popular in Buddhism and other eastern religions.