What Beliefs Are Really "Essential"?

We've all been told that certain beliefs are "essential" for being a Christian, whereas others are not quite as important. Yet while we can usually agree on this, there seems to be no consensus on what these "essential beliefs" truly are. In fact, disagreements on these topics are the cause of many (if not most) church splits.

Is there any way to know which beliefs are truly essential? What must we believe to be Christians, and what should be the standard for fellowship? Here to help us sort through this thorny topic is Andy Nichols, an expert on the early church and church unity.