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Core Value 17: Genuine Christianity

A true Christian is a person whose nature has been transformed by the Holy Spirit from a God-resisting orientation to a God-seeking orientation (1 John 5:18–20).

  • Therefore we affirm that all true Christians display certain marks of regeneration, namely: ongoing and continual dependence on Christ alone (1 John 5:10–12); habitual obedience to his commands and habitual rejection of evil (1 John 2:3; 3:7–10); sacrificial love for God and fellow believers (1 John 3:10, 17; 4:7–21); the ability to overcome the ungodly pressures of a society antagonistic to its maker (i.e. the “world”) (1 John 5:4); perseverance in faith and obedience to the end of life (1 John 2:19; Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:14).
  • We deny that a person who makes a mere outward profession of Christianity without displaying the above marks is a genuine Christian.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. According to the opening statement, what is the essence of a genuine Christian?
  2. Why are most of the Scriptures in this Core Value from 1 John (see 1 John 5:13)?
  3. How does “ongoing and continual dependence on Christ alone” express itself in times of trials or temptation? In family relationships? At school or work? In your thoughts and speech?
  4. How does “habitual obedience to his commands and habitual rejection of evil” express itself in times of trials or temptation? In family relationships? At school or work? In your thoughts and speech?
  5. How does “sacrificial love for God and fellow believers” express itself in times of trials or temptation? In family relationships? At school or work? In your thoughts and speech?
  6. How does “the ability to overcome the ungodly pressures of a society antagonistic to its Maker (i.e. the ‘world’)” express itself in times of trials or temptation? In family relationships? At school or work? In your thoughts and speech?
  7. How does “perseverance in faith and obedience to the end of life” express itself in times of trials or temptation? In family relationships? At school or work? In your thoughts and speech?
  8. Why is a “mere outward profession” not enough?
  9. Explain how all of the above can be true even though we are saved by faith not by works.

THE CORE VALUES OF SOLA 5

Who Are We?

Sola 5 is an an association of God-centred evangelicals in southern Africa currently with member churches in Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

View a list of our member churches here.

Membership Application

Local churches familiar with the Confession, Core Values and Constitution of Sola 5, and which declare themselves to be in agreement with these documents, may want to apply for membership of the Association.

Go here for more information.

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