Ordered in the Church: Sound Doctrine

Continuing our study of the word "doctrine" as it is used in the KJV.

I'm not promoting the KJV, though I do love it personally. It's true as is said, that a great many of the terms used in the King James Version are anachronistic, and to teach today's young people, we need more modern translations. Also, there are some necessary corrections* in the newer versions, one of which will be found in these verses.

The purpose of this study of the word "doctrine" is to show the legitimacy of its usage even in our day, because it describes a method of teaching which was emphasized by Jesus Christ Himself and by the writers of scripture; categorical, exegetical, expository teaching of the inerrant Word of God. The word itself gets a bad rap from people who don't understand its true meaning and tend to confuse it with "dogma," which is often identified with harsh legalism and ritualistic religions. I know it certainly was a turn-off to me and my friends, when we first started learning the Bible from a systematic teacher. She soon made us understand that if doctrine was not our priority, we would spend the rest of our days in a religious rut.

In this study, we've come to the references in Titus. Titus was a young Greek whom Paul had evangelized and trained for ministry. He was apparently a straight-forward trouble-shooter on Paul's team, and in this epistle, we have Paul's instructions to Titus about how to "set in order" the proper conduct among Church leaders. Behavior was an issue for those who would lead, and doctrine was of utmost importance. The date of this writing is AD 65, between the two epistles to Timothy. This was over 10 years after the earliest epistles to the Church. She (the Church) had had ample time to set a proper course for growing in grace and doctrine. Paul sent someone he could trust, who had the skill to put that in motion.

 

Titus 1:5-11 King James Version (KJV)

⁵ For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
¹⁰ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
¹¹ Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  

"Sound" - Greek hugiaino (hoogeeah'eeno). Safe, true, uncorrupt, whole, unadulterated.

"Doctrine" - didaskalia - (didaskalee'ah). Instruction. Systematic teaching. Scripture interpreting scripture from the original languages in which it is written.

Doctrine is not emotional do-goodism. Not myths, fables, some-says or ifs, ands and buts. These are the words. This is what they mean. Learn it. Apply it. Build on it.

In this and other epistles, Paul used this term to define the teaching he himself had learned directly from Jesus Christ in the dessert and had been teaching to the local Churches, as did Peter, James, John and the writer of Hebrews.

There were qualified believers in the Church. They just needed a system of authority under which to organize themselves for teaching, ministering, and spiritual growth. God's grace applies to all who believe, but certain gifts and characteristics are necessary for leaders, who must set the example. These characteristics indicate maturity: integrity, monogamy, command over his household, graciousness, generosity, sobriety, self-control, not greedy or grasping. 

Such a man will have taken seriously and stored up the sound doctrine (faithful word) he has been taught. It is firmly fixed in his soul. He will be capable of teaching it to others, and to refute those who are prone to contradict. The legalistic Jews (of the circumcision) will cause trouble in your Church. They are subverting your authority, distorting your doctrine and making money doing it. They must be stopped, by the Word of Truth. This is the job of a Pastor/Teacher (bishop) in the New Testament Church.

 Titus 2:1-5 (KJV)

Since Titus is the one being sent to see to these details, he himself must set the example of sound doctrine for the congregation, teaching them to cultivate the character of Christ; behaving with dignity and honor among themselves, and demonstrating integrity to the world. When we ignore Godly standards, our message loses its edge.

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: ² That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. ³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Yes, it's true; old women have a responsibility to teach the younger women stability of mind and to love their husbands and children. It is important to keep that in mind when the young ones complain about their situations in life. There are great rewards in store for the woman who learns to be obedient to God's Word by honoring her marriage above all else. This is one of those mysterious truths that, if not protected vigilantly, can be lost and can never be regained in our earthly sojourn. Slovenly behavior and unfaithfulness to one's spouse dishonor not only the marriage, but also the very Word of God. You don't have to understand this right now, young matron, but do keep it in mind. Remember it. Someday you will realize its value. I am ordered to tell you that.

Titus 2:6-8 (KJV) ⁶ Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. ⁷ In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity ⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

(*In verse 7, the last word, "sincerity," seems to have been added after the writing of this epistle. It is probably left out in most later translations for that reason.)

Sobriety seems to have been a big issue among the population. Soundness of mind. Alertness. Wakefulness. Attention to duty. Awareness of Whom we represent. Integrity. Dignity. There are believers among us today who, in taking advantage of God's grace, seem to find it acceptable to be abrasive, abrupt and foul-mouthed, even in the presentation of God's perfect plan. Well, brethren, that most certainly does give the contrary ones evil to say about us. What can be our defense, in view of the clear command of scripture? Such disregard for the sensibilities of others is, at the very least, a distraction from the truth we want to share.

Titus 2:9-10 (KJV) ⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; ¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

The word "servants" is correctly translated "bond-slaves." Bond-slaves are responsible to God, also, for their obedience to their masters. Make that their own masters. Never mind the expectations of others. "To his own master he stands or falls." (Romans 14:4) The slave's job is to please his master, not quibble and quarrel; not steal from him. Show yourself trustworthy. Make the doctrine of God attractive to others by your honorable behavior.

So, in the study so far, we see that doctrine is something that was with God before the universe was formed, it was given to God's people down through the history of the human race, it was taught by Jesus to the Jews who rejected it, then to His disciples who loved it, then to His Church to cherish and perpetuate until His return. Bible Doctrine is the Mind of Christ, I Corinthians 2:16. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Bible Doctrine teaches us Who God is, how and why we are here, why and how we must be saved. If we learn it properly and apply it in our lives, we will develop that stability of soul that Titus looked for and trained into the leaders of the local Church. We don't all have to be leaders, but we all need the confidence, assurance, contentment and sense of purpose that can only come by the learning, storing and practice of doctrine in our souls. We won't get those qualities any other way.

 God has provided it for us, and has prepared His men to lead us in it. We are without excuse.

 

Dealing With Personal Sins

After one has been eternally saved by believing in the finished Work of Christ on the cross--faith alone in Christ alone--IN CHRIST forever--there are basic Bible doctrines we must learn and apply in order to grow up spiritually. If you cannot categorize and memorize doctrines and individual scriptures, it may be because you have overlooked or ignored one of the first things the new believer must learn: how to keep in fellowship with God the Father. Not how to stay saved. That's God's Work, and it is guaranteed secure from the moment of belief. Our saved souls, at any stage of spiritual growth, need frequent cleansing. Many who have been Christians for a relatively long time are muddled-up in their thinking, with no real comprehension of the Christian Way of Life, and not knowing what to do about it. It took me 8 years to get to this basic truth and learn to apply it. Going to your pastor with your questions and arguments should, but may not always result in the help you need.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:6-9 NASB

There are several "ifs" in these few verses, all regarding the thinking and behavior patterns of born-again believers. These particular "ifs" in the koine greek language mean "if and it may or may not be true of the individual believer's practice." That's the way we English speakers always interpret "if," but it has different connotations in the greek construct, depending on grammatical class and condition. I am stressing this point to be clear: a person can be a born-again Christian and yet walk in darkness (carnality, ignorance of the Word, dominated by one's old sin nature). Believers in this condition are experts at kidding themselves into believing they are rocking along OK ("me and Jesus, we got our own thing going", ad nauseum.) Such a one, claiming to be in fellowship (koinonia, sharing of common interests) with God the Father, is simply lying to himself and others. Your child doesn't cease to be your child because he is a rebellious brat, but the brat doesn't share your norms and standards.

To have fellowship with the Father, we must walk in the light (spirituality, knowledge of the Word.) You cannot love and practice what you don't know. You cannot advocate what you don't honor. Walking in the light, we know we share the priorities of our Lord, and we know the blood (spiritual death on the cross) of Jesus CONTINUES TO CLEANSE US, KEEPS ON CLEANSING US from all sin. That's what it means. To deny the fact of the old sin nature in our bodies is self-deceit. That corruption is with us as long as we remain in these bodies. But here's the solution: when we see that we have sinned, we confess (admit) that sin (name it to God the Father, in private). He is faithful to always do the same thing, because of Jesus' atonement: He forgives that sin, and He cleanses us from all the other sins we are too immature to recognize as sin in ourselves ("all unrighteousness") because Jesus paid the full penalty for all these sins on the cross. This renews our fellowship with Him, fills our being with the Holy Spirit, and enables us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Next time, we'll have a better understanding of just what constitutes sin. We learn to see sin and spirituality as God sees them. We learn to love being in fellowship (agreement) with Him.

This makes us clean and free! The Holy Spirit can now instantaneously fill us, give us understanding, and we are qualified to serve our Lord. We sheep are totally dependent on our Shepherd, both for our eternal salvation and for our daily cleansing. It is His Work! Refusing to submit to this grooming by the Shepherd leaves us in a state of filth and uselessness (sheep cannot clean themselves), unfit for service in His Kingdom and under constant discipline from our Father.

The instruction is not to wallow in sorrow for the sin you have recognized. The instruction is to admit the sin to God and be cleansed.

Be clean. Be free. Be able to learn, to grow, and to serve.

Advice to a Young Pastor

Timothy was Paul's young protégée. Paul considered Timothy his own son in the faith. They were traveling, evangelizing, establishing Churches, and leaving those congregations with the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ, as they would move on to another location to preach and teach. At times, when Paul couldn't be with a congregation himself, he sent Timothy to visit them, check up on their progress in the faith, and encourage them to continue learning and growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Then, bring back to Paul his report on their welfare

Two of Paul's 13 epistles were written to Timothy, as they ministered together in the Word. The instructions often had to do with the doctrine Paul had learned from Jesus Christ. Teach it, honor it, obey it, preserve it, revere it, protect it, and don't allow anyone to corrupt it. The proper function of your Church depends on it.

Paul's instruction to Timothy was to keep the local Church always mindful of the doctrine Paul had taught them, and never deviate from it. They would be infiltrated by false teachers and tempted to go back to religion, but Paul's constant warning was "don't do that! And don't allow any false teaching to be presented in your Church."

 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, - and add no incidentals.

The law was not made for the righteous, but for vile sinners, among them....
1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Yes, Satan has his own system of doctrine, and it often closely counterfeits God's truth. It can seduce, if we don't know the Bible very well.

Keep reminding the brethren....
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

In Paul's absence, there is one priority....
1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Don't drop the ball, Timothy.....
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Teaching doctrine is an honorable thing....
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Teach the servants to respect their masters....
1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Separate from some folks....
1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Timothy was there through it all. He had witnessed Paul's endurance of persecutions, because of the doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Doctrine matures us, equips us for the work of the ministry.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Anytime, any place, be ready to preach God's Word. Instruct with patience and emphasize doctrine as the means of Christian growth.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Sad prophecy, but Paul knew it was true, and so do we. We are living with that truth now. The general population are not only bored with Bible doctrine, they are offended by the doctrine and by the term itself. Entertainment, not teaching, is the expectation of a vast majority of today's Christians. Therefore, they are not prepared to handle even the most mundane daily adversity, or to witness the truth of Jesus Christ to the common man.

Entertainment can be had anywhere, anytime. There is only one place and time to be taught Bible doctrine, which equips the saints for ministry. The local Church, under the leadership of a capable Pastor/Teacher.

The man who can teach you, to whom you will respond with confidence in his leadership, is the right one for your advance to spiritual maturity. Find him. The Holy Spirit will lead you to him. Listen to him. Learn from him.

You'll be glad you did.



 

 

True Doctrine, False Doctrine

We continue our study of the word doctrine as it is used in the King James Version of the Bible. The word means system of teaching, and there are many such systems. Anyone with something to teach imparts doctrine, though they don't always call it that. When we Bible-believing Christians use the word without modifiers, we usually mean it in a positive sense, as something true and very important to our spiritual well-being, synonymous with scripture itself. If we are talking about something other than sound scriptural teaching, we usually preface the term with the word false.

There are many New Testament references to the importance of true doctrine for the growing believer and also many warnings against false doctrines, and the need to know the difference.

Romans 6:17 (KJV) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

"that form of doctrine which was delivered" to the Church at Rome was the mystery doctrine of the Church age, beginning with the perfect atonement of Jesus Christ for any who will believe in Him. The individual believes in Jesus by faith alone and is positioned IN HIM, forever. That is immediate and is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Having been previously a servant of sin, there is now some reprogramming to do in the believer's soul. By learning and obeying (believing, practicing) the doctrine taught by the Church, he is launched into his journey of faith and equipped as a warrior in the Lord's army.

Romans 16:17 (KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

The most subtle attack on the believer's assurance of salvation is contrary doctrines being brought into the Church by unbelieving religionists or carnal believers who teach legalism, Gnosticism, occultism. If they can get the attention of believers young in the faith, they sometimes can sway them with convincing arguments against our freedom in grace "which ye have learned." The warning is clear: notice who they are and avoid them. The growing believer does not need the distraction of arguing with evil.

1 Corinthians 14:6 (KJV) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

By the time of the writing of I Corinthians, the apostolic spiritual gifts were diminishing, or gone, from the Church. Those temporary gifts were used to kick-start the Church age, by rapidly spreading the gospel message in all languages to the known world, and to give credibility to the message of salvation by faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

Now, the Church organization was well established, with a system of authority in place to teach Christians how to grow up in grace, how to evangelize, how to relax and trust the Lord for their eternal life and daily needs. Free-for-all meetings are not conducive to the edification of the saints.

Colossians 2:20-22 (KJV) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

"if" and you are retroactively dead with Christ, there is no need for petty rules of daily conduct. Those are just details of life, each family has different ways of doing things, and only legalistic religion makes an issue of itemizing your dos and don'ts. Such regulations are doctrines of men.

False doctrine: "you must behave according to my rules, or you are not saved."

True doctrine: 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 (ESV)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.