"THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST"

Many people say that DOCTRINE is not important; that one doctrine is as good as another. They insist that "doctrine" will not save us; hence, it doesn't matter as to what "doctrine" we believe. They insist that we should preach Christ and leave off "doctrine." Of course, these views cannot be established by the Scriptures.

The word "DOCTRINE" simply means "TEACHING". The "DOCTRINE OF CHRIST" is the teaching of Christ. If "doctrine" is not important, then it makes no difference as to what we teach. May we logically conclude from the Scriptures that "doctrine" doesn't matter?

FALSE DOCTRINE: In Matt. 7:15, Jesus warns us to "beware of false prophets" which come in sheep's clothing, but are inwardly ravening wolves. John admonishes us to "try the spirits whether they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 Jno. 4:1). The Hebrew writer says, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." (Heb. 13:9). The apostle Paul suggests that we should not be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" in Eph. 4:14. He also refers to "doctrine of devils" in 1 Tim. 4:1. During His personal ministry on earth, Jesus bade His disciples to beware of "the doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." (See Matt. 16:12).

WHOSOEVER TRANSGRESSETH: We should take heed unto ourselves and unto the doctrine. If we teach for doctrine the commandments of men, our worship will be in vain. (See Matt. 15:9). In 2 Jno. 9, we read: "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." Since the word TRANSGRESS means "TO GO BEYOND", if we go beyond the teaching of Christ, we do not have God! In order to have the Father and the Son we must ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE or TEACHING OF CHRIST!

EXAMINE YOURSELF: Are you abiding in the teaching of Christ? Or have you gone beyond it? Did you accept what Christ teaches relative to how to be saved? Consider Mk. 16:15,16; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26,27. Or do you think you were saved by "faith only" or by "praying through?" In your acts of worship, do you ABIDE in the teaching of Christ or do you add to it or substitute for it? Consider Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2 and Col. 3:16. Do you accept the teaching of Christ relative to the one church? (See Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4-6; Acts 2:47; 20:28; Col. 1:18 and 1 Cor. 12:20). Do you accept and ABIDE in the doctrine of Christ relative to how you should live? (Consider Lk. 9:23; 14:25-33; Rom. 12:1,2; Jas. 1:27; and Matt. 6:33). If after a careful examination of self you learn that you do not have God, why not resolve in your heart to ABIDE in Christ's teaching in all things as you learn them that you may truly have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ?

By Carrol R. Sutton in The Instructor, Vol. 4, No. 11, November 1967.

SOUND DOCTRINE: In Titus 2:1, Paul said: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." In 1 Tim. 1, he refers to some things that are "contrary to sound doctrine." We learn from Titus 1:9 that a bishop is to "be able by SOUND DOCTRINE both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." The apostle further tells us in 2 Tim. 4:3, that the time would come "when they will not endure sound doctrine." We should "hold fast the form of sound words." (See 2 Tim. 1:3). In doctrine we should show uncorruptness." (See Titus 2:7). The lives of all should be such "that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." (See Titus 2:10)

by Unknown author

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