The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is essential

Again, my concerted opinion is "NO! The doctrine of salvation is certainly one of the "essentials", which obviously includes LOTS of other doctrines of which it is derived. But there are other doctrines which are not directly part of soteriology but are expressions of how a true Christian and particular the Church practice that salvation, e.g., ecclesiology; its worship, church government, and sacraments.

Yes, the doctrine of ordination of church officers is essential because it falls under ecclesiology, the doctrine of the Church of which the visible Church is to govern itself, wherein is the gathering of those who are saved. The argument that it is "man-made" is self-defeating. What doctrine isn't "man-made"? This is how God has intended that doctrine (biblical teaching) is to be established. When Christ ascended on high He gave good gifts to men that some should be "pastor/teachers" who would bring the will of God to His people. The Bible isn't an encyclopedia where one can simply look up Trinity and there is an article explaining it. And, the Bible itself provides the proper hermeneutical principles (method of interpretation) by which truth is found in Scripture.