Is Doctrine Important?

Current Views About Doctrine Some brethren take the position that doctrine is not important They say: don’t preach against instrumental music, women preachers, social gospel, L.S. changes, use of the treasury, m-d-r, etc. They want positive lessons on Jesus, Christian living, heaven, etc.

What Is Doctrine? Doctrine simply means teaching Gr. διδασκαλία (noun) = teaching, instruction Gr. διδάσκω (verb) = to teach, instruct All scripture is profitable for doctrine; for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16)

Where Does Doctrine Come From? Men (Mt. 15:9; 16:12; Rev. 2:14-15; etc.) Demons (1 Tim. 4:1) God (Acts 13:12; Tit. 2:10) Jesus (John 7:16-17; 8:28; 18:19) Apostles (Lk. 12:12; Jn. 14:26; Acts 2:42)

The New Testament Is Doctrine The OT is doctrine (Rom. 15:4; “learning” is from Gr. didaskalia) The NT is: “Good doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:6) “Sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 2:1) “Doctrine … godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3)

Is Doctrine Important? Gr. διδαχή = body of teaching It was important to Jesus (Mt. 7:28-29; 28:20) It was important to the NT church (Acts 2:42; 11:26; 15:35; 18:11)?

Is Doctrine Important? It was important to Peter and John (Acts 4:2; 5:21, 25, 28, 42) It was important to the convert (Rom. 6:17) It was important to Paul (Acts 20:20; 1 Cor. 4:17; Eph. 4:21; Col. 1:28; 2:7; 2 Tim. 3:10)

Is Doctrine Important? It was important to John (1 Jn. 2:27)

Warnings Concerning Doctrine What happens when you do not believe and follow “sound doctrine”? You are divisive (Rom. 16:17) You are deceived (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9) You are different (1 Tim. 1:3)

Warnings Concerning Doctrine You are proud (1 Tim. 6:1, 3) You are without God and partaking in evil works (2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 2:20, 24)

Doctrine De-emphasized In the 1960’s-70’s some brethren promoted a “gospel-doctrine” distinction In the 1980’s-90’s some brethren promoted the “core gospel” Today, some brethren speak of “salvation” and “non-salvation” issues

Doctrine De-emphasized All of these practices are the same just using different wording that catches on (a slogan, a cliché) This is an attempt to be unified on certain Bible matters (emphasize gospel) and divided on other Bible matters (de-emphasize doctrine)

Doctrine De-emphasized Where is the list, who decides what is on the list, and what is the criteria: the gospel list or the salvation issue list? This encourages a minimalist approach to Christian faith and practice rather than doing all that Jesus said (Mt. 28:20)

Doctrine De-emphasized Is the person who speaks of “non- salvation issues” sent from God to tell us what is and is not important? Is he God’s infallible spokesman on such matters?

Doctrine De-emphasized All of the NT is “gospel” (good news) and all of the NT is doctrine (teaching) – 1 Tim. 1:10-11 The “gospel” is for the lost (Mk. 16:15) and the saved (Rom. 1:15) “Doctrine” is for the lost (Rom. 6:17) and the saved (Tit. 2:10)

What Can We Do? Stop saying that doctrine is unimportant Preachers should preach doctrine (1 Tim. 4:11, 13, 16; 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:24; 4:2; Tit. 2:1, 7, 10) Elders should guard doctrine (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Tit. 1:9, 11)

What Can We Do? Class teachers should teach (emphasize) doctrine (Acts 13:1; Rom. 12:7; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:16; Heb. 5:12) Members should desire sound doctrine in their personal lives: in the assembly and at home (2 Tim. 4:3) Have a series like this on doctrines!

Yes, Doctrine Is Important! Teaching (doctrine) is how all mankind comes to God (Jn. 6:45) Teaching (doctrine) is what must be held on to through the generations (2 Thess. 2:15)