"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)
"Did not we straightly 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 5:28)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (II Corinthians 3:16)
In recent years, the term "doctrine" in church congregations has gotten a bad wrap. Moreover, the importance of doctrine has been minimized within the modern day religious community. It is like we who profess to be Jesus' disciples believe we can be fulfilled by compromising the Word of God -- His commandments to His beloved creation -- without consequence. It is no wonder Hosea wrote, "My people perish for lack of knowledge" ... sigh! (Hosea 4:6)
Indeed, when we err from the principles of the doctrine of Christ, the scripture saith we are in need of a teacher again -- because we have not got His good news gospel message right. (II John 1:9) "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5:12)
That they "that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24)
But as Isaiah clarifies, "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 28:9) It is in this context that the foundational doctrines are so critical.
"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, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
As we have witnessed as an underlying theme in several previous posts, there will be those who willingly accept the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified (as Peter standing with the apostles) declared on the day of Pentecost -- He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-41) In the scriptures, there are many examples of the people marvelling at Jesus doctrine. For example, "when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine." (Matthew 7:28; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:22; Acts 13:12)
However, in other scriptures, Jesus has to tell them --"But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9) And similarly, "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 16:12; Mark 12:38)
Moreover, "howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mark 7:7) "... which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:22)
Certainly, Jesus taught them many things by parables too, which He said unto them also in His doctrine, (Mark 4:2) Still, Jesus offered clarity when He said, "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 7:17) To this end, we understand that God is not the Author of confusion. Every scripture that is written is the Word of God -- the holy scriptures -- and will align -- as does the many pieces of a puzzle -- if we seek the Lord with all our hearts and minds for His understanding.
He will lead and guide us into all truth. Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6) Thy Word wherein we are sanctified -- Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17)
"Did not we straightly 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 5:28)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (II Corinthians 3:16)
In recent years, the term "doctrine" in church congregations has gotten a bad wrap. Moreover, the importance of doctrine has been minimized within the modern day religious community. It is like we who profess to be Jesus' disciples believe we can be fulfilled by compromising the Word of God -- His commandments to His beloved creation -- without consequence. It is no wonder Hosea wrote, "My people perish for lack of knowledge" ... sigh! (Hosea 4:6)
Indeed, when we err from the principles of the doctrine of Christ, the scripture saith we are in need of a teacher again -- because we have not got His good news gospel message right. (II John 1:9) "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5:12)
That they "that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24)
But as Isaiah clarifies, "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 28:9) It is in this context that the foundational doctrines are so critical.
"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, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
As we have witnessed as an underlying theme in several previous posts, there will be those who willingly accept the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified (as Peter standing with the apostles) declared on the day of Pentecost -- He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-41) In the scriptures, there are many examples of the people marvelling at Jesus doctrine. For example, "when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine." (Matthew 7:28; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:22; Acts 13:12)
However, in other scriptures, Jesus has to tell them --"But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9) And similarly, "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 16:12; Mark 12:38)
Moreover, "howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mark 7:7) "... which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:22)
Certainly, Jesus taught them many things by parables too, which He said unto them also in His doctrine, (Mark 4:2) Still, Jesus offered clarity when He said, "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 7:17) To this end, we understand that God is not the Author of confusion. Every scripture that is written is the Word of God -- the holy scriptures -- and will align -- as does the many pieces of a puzzle -- if we seek the Lord with all our hearts and minds for His understanding.
He will lead and guide us into all truth. Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6) Thy Word wherein we are sanctified -- Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17)
The good news as well is that when we have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto us, "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 ..." (Romans 6:17; Ephesians 4:14)
Because when the Spirit of the Lord Jesus leads and guides us, and establishes our steps, we are no longer "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." (Hebrews 13:9)
Therefore, be not ignorant of the times in which we live, nor void of His Word. "But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach ..." (Romans 10:8) There is more ....
"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils ... (I Timothy 4:1)
"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, where unto thou hast attained." (I Timothy 4:6)
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 4:13)
"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)
How do we know Thy Word is truth? "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." (Psalm 33:6) " Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, according to Thy Word." (Psalm 119:41)
"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, where unto thou hast attained." (I Timothy 4:6)
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 4:13)
"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)
In closing, remember too that "whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; he that abides 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:" (II John 1:9-10)
Let them with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment