The Doctrine of Christ What is the Doctrine of Christ ? 1

I. 2 Jn. 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

2 Jn. 9 (ASV) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 3

To transgress is to gone beyond or to go across 4

1 Jn. 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5

The Law of God is like a boundary for Christians God has surrounded us by his law for our own good and protection 6

1 Cor. 4:6 (ASV) Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; 7

Some have tried to minimize the effect of 2 Jn. 9 because they do not like the idea that men are bound by the things which Jesus taught 8

II. False teaching on 2 Jn. 9 Some teach that the “doctrine of Christ” simply means that Jesus came in the flesh Their idea is that the verse refers to “the doctrine about Christ” and not to the doctrine which Christ taught 9

Since this is what they believe the verse teaches they also believe that we can accept and have fellowship with all who believe that Christ came in the flesh – regardless of what they believe and practice in religion 10

This viewpoint of 2 Jn. 9 is simply a part of the movement to have fellowship with the denominations and others without considering what they teach and practice 11

III. What others have said about 2 Jn. 9 Truth is determined by the word of God and not by men However it is sometimes helpful to consider what others say about a particular passage 12

A.T. Robertson “Not the teaching about Christ, but that of Christ which is the standard of Christian teaching for the Christian’s walk” 13

Guy N. Woods “The ‘teaching of Christ’ here is not teaching about Christ … it is the teaching which Christ did personally and through those whom he inspired” 14

Bob Winton writes about the “doctrine of Christ” “…the doctrine which Christ gave and thus to mean the whole gospel system.” 15

Some do not want to believe Christ’s doctrine is binding 16

IV. What is the doctrine of Christ? Note some similar expressions in the Scriptures 17

Mt. 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. 18

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 19

The doctrine of Christ is the teaching which he received of the Father 20

Jn. 12:49-50 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 21

To accept the teaching of Christ is to receive the teaching of the Father To reject the teaching of Christ is to reject the teaching of the Father – to reject the word of God 22

Mt. 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 23

References Article by Alan Highers, Spiritual Sword, Vol. 43 #3 Outlined Commentary on 1 Jn., by Bob Winton 24