The Zyxter stuff on Facebook triggered red flags immediately, but I hate to dismiss an idea just because its adherents use a different approach than I would take. So here’s the info from their Facebook page with my comments added:
BELIEFS:
It is our belief that to truly follow Jesus we must show all people the unconditional love and grace of Jesus without any reservations due to their lifestyle or religious background, past or future. [God's love is not unconditional, so why should mine be? "Psalms 5:5-6 The foolish shall not stand in Your sight. You hate all doers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak lies; YHWH will despise the bloody and deceitful man."] This love has no agenda behind it (I Corinthians 13:5). This grace sets no timeline on personal change or standards for spiritual growth (Romans 4:4-5). [Don't be so sure of that. "Zechariah 11:6-10 For I will never again pity the people of the land, says YHWH; but lo, I will make the men come out, each one into his neighbor's hand and into his king's hand. And they shall strike the land, and I will not deliver out of their hand. (7) And I fed the flock of slaughter, even the poor of the flock. And I took two staffs for myself; the one I called Kindness, and the other I called Union. And I fed the flock. (8) I also cut off three shepherds in one month; and my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also despised me. (9) And I said, I will not feed you; that which dies, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off. And those left, let them eat, each woman her neighbor's flesh. (10) And I took my staff Kindness, and broke it apart, to break My covenant which I had made with all the peoples." "Luke 13:6-9 He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. And he came and sought fruit on it, and found none. (7) And he said to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none. Cut it down, why does it encumber the ground? (8) And answering, he said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and throw manure. (9) And if it bears fruit, well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it down." "Revelation 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."] The idea is to be a part of people’s lives because we truly care for them rather than to fulfill a religious duty; to walk with them through all their struggles as a part of their life, not as a religious outsider.
The Zyxter Church project is built on a core set of beliefs that we call our Essential Beliefs. These are the beliefs in which we have unity and on which we base our fundamental decisions.
◊ In Essential Beliefs – we have unity
(Ephesians 4:4-6)
There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.. [No argument from me there.]
◊ In Non-Essential Beliefs – we have liberty
(Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22)
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. [No argument from me there either. This is something that I have said repeatedly.]
◊ In All our Beliefs – we show charity
(I Corinthians 13:2)
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [I'm definitely on board with this one!]
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
About God:
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. [I could quibble with the choice of words, but I don't have any serious problems with this.]
(Genesis 1:1,26,27 , 3:22 ; Psalm 90:2 ; Matthew 28:19 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King. [OK. No real problem here.]
(Matthew 1:22,23 ; Isaiah 9:6 ; John 1:1-5 , 14:10-30 ; Hebrews 4:14-15 ; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ; Romans 1:3-4 ; Acts 1:9-11 ; 1 Timothy 6:14-15 ; Titus 2:13)
About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. [Cool.]
(Acts 1:8 ; 2 Corinthians 3:17 ; John 16:7-13 , 14:16-17 ; Galatians 5:25 ; 1 Corinthians 2:12 , 3:16 ; Ephesians 1:13 , 5:18)
About the Bible:
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. [Supreme source of truth? Maybe it's just a matter of semantics, but God is the supreme source of all truth. The Bible, as a reliable record of God's revelation to man, is an excellent standard by which to measure other "revelations." Somehow I don't think they really believe this anyway. Very few Christians do.]
(2 Timothy 3:16 , 1:13 ; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ; Psalm 119:105 , 160 , 12:6 ; Proverbs 30:5)
About Human Beings:
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life. [That attitude is not "sin" in itself. It is an inclination toward sin, which is the violation of God's law. "1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness."]
(Genesis 1:27 ; Psalm 8:3-6 ; Isaiah 53:6a ; Romans 3:23 ; Isaiah 59:1-2)
About Salvation:
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. [I would agree with this statement, except that I think I would disagree with their definition of the phrase, "turn from our self-ruled life." Salvation requires repentance, which is turning away from sin, and it doesn't sound like they care too much about that. If you refuse to turn away from sin, how can you claim salvation from it? "Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." "James 2:17 Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself." "Revelation 2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent." "Revelation 2:16 Repent! But if not I will come to you quickly, and will fight with them by the sword of My mouth."]
(Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; John 14:6 , 1:2 ; Titus 3:5 ; Galatians 3:26 ; Romans 5:1 , 10:9-10)
About Eternity:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. [Pretty standard fare here. I'm not sure I entirely buy the party line, but I won't argue with it either. At least not yet.]
(John 3:16 , 14:17 ; Romans 6:23 , 8:17-18 ; Revelation 20:15 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
So, there you have it. Zyxter appears to be just another attempt to build a seeker-friendly, social club–all smiles and good feelings, but very little of real substance.
Tags: repentance, sanctification, seeker-friendly, sin, zyxter, zyxterism, zyxterology
No repentance, no deal. Its a vital organ, if they have everything else in working order and the liver is omitted its still dead.