DEFINING DOCTRINE A introductory lesson By Rolan Monje

What is doctrine? • The word ‘doctrine’ is derived from Latin • Basically means ‘teaching’ or ‘what is taught’; Latin for ‘teacher’ is ‘doc-tor’ • Refers to principles, tenets, or dogma • Can refer to a system of religious belief, or components of that system

Is doctrine important? • Paul taught that true doctrine must be learned and taught so that Christians may grow • Eph 4. 11 -16 • 1 Tim 4. 6 • Tit 1. 9 • False doctrine destroys – Eph 4, 2 Tim 4

Relevant Bible passages • We should guard doctrine – 1 Tim 4. 1, 13 -16; 2 Tim 3. 13 -17 • Some will follow false doctrine – 2 Tim 4. 1 -4 • Doctrine unites and gives confidence – Eph 4. 11 -14 • Studying God’s truth commends you to God – 2 Tim 2. 15

There is benefit in studying! Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. - 2 Tim 2. 15 NLT

Earliest doctrines of the church 1. Jesus was the Messiah of the OT Scriptures, the Christ (Ac 3. 18) 2. God had raised him from the dead (Ac 1. 22; 2. 24, 32) 3. Salvation was by faith in his name, with expectation of repentance and baptism (Ac 2. 38 -39; Ac 3. 16)

How to view doctrine 1. It’s about knowing God 2. It has different levels 3. It unites the church

#1. It’s about knowing God • God doesn’t want us to be ignorant of his plans – 1 Co 10. 1 • God’s teachings reveal his heart and character; He wants us to know Him – Hos 4. 6 • The Hebrew word “yada’” (to know) means to know by experience or by relation

Knowing God is important! …my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. – Hos 4. 6

More verses on knowing God • • • Jer 4. 22, 5. 4, 8. 7 Mic 4. 12 Eph 1. 17 1 Jn 2. 3 -4 What can you learn from these passages?

#2. It has different ‘levels’ • “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices— mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. – Mt 23. 23 • Jesus recognized that not all biblical matters have the same level of importance. • Different doctrines do not carry the same weight or impact in our faith and have varying effects on practical life.

Doctrine has different ‘levels’ PERIPHERAL IMPORTANT CORE • Core doctrines are the most essential; usually about basic truths of God, sin, and salvation (gospel issues) • Important doctrines have less weight than core doctrines • Peripheral doctrines carry less weight than important doctrines

Exercise • Study out Matt 23. 23 -24 • Write down some examples of core doctrines, important doctrines, and peripheral doctrines (e. g. core – Jesus died for us; impt – obey your leaders; peripheral – who was John Mark) • Discuss this in a group setting

Words of caution • There areas of doctrine that may be difficult to understand, or are just unclear (2 Pet 3. 16). Don’t panic. Not everything is supposed to be crystal clear. At the very least, the core doctrines are quite clear. • There areas of doctrine which call us to protect each other and keep each other from stumbling (Rom 14. 1 -15. 7). As a church matures, it’s members grow in willingness and ability to interact and fellowship with high degree of respect, despite individual differences.

#3. Doctrine unites the church • Defines who we are not • Teachers and elders are primarily called upon to guard doctrine, but all disciples called to be faithful students of the word

We need to have deep convictions I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person. Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant. – Gal 1. 6 -10

Responses • We need to be fired up to know God • We need to hate false doctrine • We need to be confident in the truths we have been taught • We need to continue to grow in God’s word - end -