Doctrine

In our studies of the apostles’ letters to the earliest Christian Churches, the stark simplicity of their system of worship and their lists of priorities is evident. They were taught to continue meeting together, to love and encourage one another, to honor the Lord in their communion services, to be ready to give the gospel to anyone who would listen, to be steadfast in their faith, to resist evil, and to stay with the doctrine they were originally taught by the apostles.

That word doctrine is from the King James Version of the Bible. Great word. It means teaching. Something taught or something learned.  In more modern translations, the word is rendered teaching, which is also good, but doesn’t seem to carry the authoritative punch that we get from the word doctrine. Teaching can mean almost any type of study. Actually, doctrine can too, but we Americans tend to associate the word most often with the study of the Bible, or Christianity. The most important thing in the life of the believer, once he has understood that his salvation is secure IN CHRIST, is Bible Doctrine! The apostles emphasized true doctrine throughout their writings, and warned against being taken in by evil distortions of doctrine. 

What is important to this study today is the frequency of the word doctrine in the Bible itself. In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible KJV, it is listed 55 times, starting in Deuteronomy and continuing through Revelation. Some may be offended or irritated by the word doctrine. I was once, because of my spiritual ignorance, having never been taught doctrine as a young believer. Here I share a few of the references from God’s Word:

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. Deuteronomy 32:1-3 

God’s Word (doctrine) is freely distributed throughout the earth.

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. Proverbs 4:1-2 

God’s doctrine is good for us.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:9-10 

Doctrine is best understood and appreciated by the more mature believer. Maturity comes from learning doctrine.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29 

No namby-pamby platitudes from God the Son. His doctrine is sound and sure, and leads to eternal life.

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:16-17 

There must be a willingness to believe, for His doctrine to be understood.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 

Priorities in the early Church: doctrine, fellowship, Lord’s Supper, prayer. (What! No programs?) 

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. Romans 6:17 

Repentance leads to learning and obeying doctrine.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18 

Those who wish to disrupt the orderliness of the Church come in with false doctrines. We must shun them.

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. I Timothy 4:16 

The pastor’s first duty is to teach sound doctrine, faithfully, to his congregation. Entertainment does not teach.

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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

All Scripture. Not some favorite passages. All Scripture.

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. Titus 1:9 

How can we maintain our standards? By holding fast to the sound doctrine that was delivered by the apostles. 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:9-10 

Anyone who claims to know God and to have a relationship with God, and denies the deity of Jesus Christ, or the atonement of Christ, is simply a liar and a false prophet. Those who remain steadfast in the truth about Jesus’ person and work (doctrine of Christ) have a relationship with both the Father and the Son. Anyone who denies the truth about Jesus has nothing in common with a Christian, and we do not owe them our hospitality. (They are the ones who will remind you that God is love, and if you don’t accept their blasphemy and rebellion, you are just a bigot.)

References to false doctrine: Revelation 2:14,15,24. There are other references to false doctrine, but our focus here is on sound, or true doctrine as taught by Paul, Peter, John, Jude, and James to the early Church. Jesus had warnings about these distorted doctrines in His messages to the Churches in the Revelation.

As we move on into our examination of the Church and Her growth throughout the world, we will do well to keep in mind these exhortations to the early Christians, regarding the importance of basic doctrine: learn it, love it, share it, guard it, keep it. And IT will keep US from costly error.