Doctrine Repost and Update

 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.

 

Addendum from a recent Facebook post, with no apology. Repetition is the best teacher:

Regarding the word "doctrine," it should not be an unfamiliar or offensive term to born-again believers in the Church Age. It has great significance to God's people in every dispensation.

Doctrine is a wonderful, Biblical word that means "teaching." It is easy to follow in the KJV. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lists these original words in the Old Testament and New Testament which are translated "doctrine." (Hebrew) leqah - something received; shmuwah - something heard; muwcar - instruction (Greek) didache - instruction; didaskalia - instruction; logos - divine expression.

Bible search results from www.biblegateway.com:

Deuteronomy 32:2 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:

Job 11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Isaiah 28:9 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.

Isaiah 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Jeremiah 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

John 7:17 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 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

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

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

Romans 6:17 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 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 14:6 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 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.

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Colossians 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

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,

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;

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.

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

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.

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.

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.

1 Timothy 6:3 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;

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

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;

Titus 1:9 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.

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

2 John 1:9 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.

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

King James Version (KJV)
by Public Domain