Many pastors avoid doctrine. Doctrine is exciting, not boring. Church goers often want to know how to fix their marriage. Theology and Christology are often ignored. What does the Bible say about doctrine? It’s awesome, folks!
Doctrine is the teaching and reinforcement of a specific set of beliefs. Christian doctrine is steeped in God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Person of the Holy Spirit. Doctrine covers creation, the fall of man, redemption, and restoration. Regrettably, the Church has moved away from solid Biblical doctrine. We must return to the roots of our faith. What does the Bible say about doctrine?
What Does The Bible Say About Doctrine — Jesus
Jesus taught in the temple and modeled doctrine to His disciples. He also recognized the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Mark 7:7 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.
Teachers of the Law constantly added new rules and regulations to the Law of God. Jesus saw through this man-made religion and regularly exposed it.
What Does The Bible Say About Doctrine — Acts
The apostles built a solid doctrinal foundation. Peter, James, John, Jude, and Paul wrote theological masterpieces. I don’t see very much self-help gospel in the gospels or epistles.
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
My wife and I operate our small groups based on Acts 2:42. We practice one of the four primary ideas each time we gather.
Here’s an article I wrote on starting an awesome small group.
Acts 5:27-28 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
The significance of this verse is astounding. The high priest is not denying the death of Christ. Since he admits Jesus died the empty tomb takes on grand significance for a skeptic.
Acts 17:19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
Paul was speaking to a group that believed in several gods. Kind of like our modern society. Paul spoke of creation, the death of Jesus, His resurrection, and repentance. He wasn’t telling the Athenians a 7-part plan to live their best life now.
What Does The Bible Say About Doctrine — Contrary
Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Church history is often ignored. Almost everything that pops up as something new has been tried before. There is a reason it was discarded.
Paul warns the church in Rome to watch out for and to avoid those teaching contrary doctrines. Contrary means to be opposite in nature or character. The church is often opposite in nature and character to the Bible.
Ask 100 people to explain the gospel to you and will get dozens of answers. We’re good at teaching a self-help or social justice gospel. Regrettably, we’re not as solid on the Gospel of the Kingdom.
What Does The Bible Say About Doctrine — Winds
Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.
Telling people what they want to hear will draw a crowd. Jesus always preached His toughest messages when the crowds were the largest. He consistently thinned the crowd. Modern preachers do whatever it takes to keep and grow a crowd.
Resist the temptation of the latest and greatest “gospel” fad. Contagious Christianity made an appearance and then disappeared out the backdoor. The Your Best Life Now gospel continues to stand despite its lack of Biblical footing. The Purpose Driven Life gospel has deep roots but is slowly receding.
Embrace historical and Biblical Christianity. Allow the fads to come and go. Hold everything loosely. God might use something in our lives for a season but don’t build too many memorials.
False Doctrine
I Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.
Paul was writing to pastor Timothy. Timothy was to command certain people to stop teaching false doctrines. He was the pastor of the church in Ephesus.
My reformed friends are quick to point out that “You’re not David!” but love to assume that they are Timothy. They believe that it’s their duty to confront every teacher of false doctrine. Somehow they believe that they are as qualified as Paul and Timothy.
Confronting false doctrine is necessary. However, let’s embrace some humility and swallow our pride. We’re neither Paul nor Timothy.
I Timothy 6:3-4 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.
An unhealthy interest in disputes describes a good portion of my reformed friends.
Sound Doctrine
It’s easy to find a bible “teacher” to fit your lifestyle. There are Bible teachers who advocate for abortion, gender reassignment, drug use, and sexual immorality.
Finding someone to justify your sinful behaviors is easier than picking up your cross. Denying yourself is so last year!
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,
Titus 1:9 Holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
Few pastors refute those who contradict sound doctrine.
Why? Probably because they are not teaching sound doctrine. They go along to get along.
Titus 2:1 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Titus 2:6-8 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Pastor, please take an entire year and teach sound doctrine. Does the plurality of your church know why they believe in the Trinity? Can most give a defense for their hope? How many of your church members know the cosmological, teleological, or ontological arguments for God’s existence?
Roll up your sleeves and get into doctrine!
Good Doctrine
I Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following.