October 30, 2005

Cawson Street Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia 23860

Mural Worthey

 

What Is Meant by Doctrine?

 

Introduction

 

   We often hear sermons on Sound Doctrine, and many articles are written on the topic in brotherhood papers.  The Bible refers to doctrine often in the NT.  But what is Christian Doctrine?  What is meant by the word doctrine?

 

Christian Doctrine

 

   Christianity has an extraordinary message and specific teaching to proclaim.  That message is unique and important.  It is basically the story of Jesus Christ—his life, teachings, deeds, death, burial and resurrection the third day.  What we teach about what was accomplished on the cross is very important.

 

   Near the end of Moses’ life, he taught Israel a song.  It said in part: “Give ear, O ye heavens and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.  Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  He is the Rock; his work is perfect.”  (Deut. 32:1-4.)

 

   When Jesus finished his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew recorded that the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  (Matt. 7:28-29.)  Jesus’ teaching was not only authoritative, but it too was like the dew and gentle rain.  He pronounced blessings upon the poor in spirit, those who mourn and the meek.  He encouraged those who were reviled and persecuted for their faith in Him, telling them to rejoice and be exceedingly glad.  (Matt. 5:1-13.)

 

   Luke recorded the first Christians on the Day of Pentecost “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.”  (Acts 2:42.)  What Jesus and the apostles taught is what we should teach and believe.  Their doctrine is the heart of Christianity. The apostles taught what Jesus taught them and what the Holy Spirit taught them when He guided them into all truth.

 

   Paul wrote that the time would come when people would no longer endure sound doctrine, but they would heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.  They would turn away from the truth to fables.  (2 Tim. 4:3-4.)

 

What is Sound Doctrine

 

   Often in the New Testament, writers promote and encourage sound doctrine in contrast to fables and ungodly messages.  (1 Tim. 1:9-10.)  The word sound means that which is healthy and good for you.  Figuratively, it means true doctrine.  But is not just something that is true, but teaching that is wholesome giving life and happiness to the believer.  It is sound according to God’s word, and not man’s desires.  It is solid, dependable and true because it is from God.  This is also the basic meaning of torah (Heb.) in the Old Testament.  It does not strictly mean law, or names(Gr.), according to the common translations. 

 

   Torah means instruction and teaching; so also does doctrine.  The word, torah, means to throw out the hand, as in giving directions.  The Proverbs refer to the law of thy mother.  (1:8.)  This shows that the end of the Law lay beyond the mere obedience to certain rules, that end being instruction in the knowledge of God and of men’s relation to Him, and guidance in living as the children of God.  Some synonyms for torah are commands, judgments, statutes, precepts, and testimony.  A good place to understand the word, torah, is Psalm 119.  Every verse (176 verses) in this psalm uses one of many synonyms for torah. Thus, torah is teaching, instruction, guidance in the ways for God’s people.  So also is doctrine in the New Testament.

 

Problems with Doctrine Only Emphasis

 

   Unfortunately, some have limited the Gospel message to right doctrine with a narrow meaning given to the word doctrine.  Many think of Christian doctrine merely as a list of things that we must believe.  They have majored in doctrine or rules only.  In so doing, they have greatly distorted the Gospel of Christ, just as some of the Jews misunderstood the Law of Moses.  Here’s how. 

 

   1) They have emphasized the letter of the law and ignored the spirit of it.  (Rom. 2:24-29.)  Doctrine only advocates miss the spirit of the Gospel, just as the Pharisees did.  Paul wrote that the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.  (2 Cor. 3:6, Rom. 7:6.)  Christianity is not primarily about forms and rituals to be performed on Sunday.  It is about man’s relationship to God.

 

   2) The Laws of God were not designed to be over man, but rather to serve man for his redemption.  Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  (Mark 2:27.)  Doctrine was never intended to be a heavy yoke to hang around man’s neck.  The Jews were really upset with Jesus because of what he taught. 

 

   3) Being convinced of the truth of some doctrinal statement does not mean that one is converted to the Lord.  There is a great difference between being convinced and being converted.  Jesus said to Peter, “When thou art converted, strengthen the brethren.”  (Luke 22:32.)  There are many people who have been convinced of many teachings of Christ, but that does not mean that they are his disciples.

 

   4) There is more to the Gospel than just knowledge of right doctrine.  In fact, knowledge alone is harmful and is never said to be the greatest aspect of Christian virtues.  But rather love is.  “. . . we know that we have knowledge (concerning idols).  Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.  And if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.  But if any man loves God, the same is known of him.”  (1 Cor. 8:1-3.)  Christianity is not so much about how much you know, but whether God knows you.  Remember Jesus will say in the Judgment, “Depart from me for I never knew you.”

 

   Knowledge is listed as only one of seven Christian virtues by the apostle Peter.  “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.”  (2 Peter 1:5-7.)  All of these traits will make you to be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you lack these things you will be blind spiritually.  (verses 8-9.)

 

   5) A constant emphasis on doctrine only, or primarily, in presenting the Gospel tends to be divisive.  There are always some areas in which believers will differ in understanding.  All of us are at differ levels of Christian maturity and understanding.  How can we expect every believer to understand everything exactly alike? There is no such demand in Scripture.  Paul wrote, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”  (Rom. 14:5.)

 

   6)  Being right on every point of doctrine is not the basis for our justification.  Somehow we have left that impression.  We should seek to understand the Gospel message and accept only true Christian doctrine.  But nowhere does the Bible say that being right on all the numerous biblical questions that one might ask is how we are saved.

 

   7) There are many questions about life and eternity that the Bible does not address.  This might come as a surprise some people, but it is true.  The Bible deals principally with matters related to redemption.  What God has given us has been declared sufficient for all our needs spiritually.  (Phil. 4:19, 2 Pet. 1:3.)

 

Christian Attitude

 

   When a person majors in being right on doctrinal matters, he often neglects another important component of the Gospel—that is, a Christ-like attitude.  “And he spake a parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.”  (Luke 18:9.)  Unfortunately, these two traits go together.  Being right in doctrinal matters does not give anyone the right to be mean-spirited or un-Christ-like.  If we despise others, then our circumcision becomes uncircumcision.  Our being right becomes wrong! 

 

   Our failure to grow spiritually cannot be hidden behind doctrinal correctness.  In fact, it is much easier to just know the facts of Christian doctrine than it is to practice them.  This may explain why so many major in doctrine only.  Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”  (John 13:35.)  In the Restoration Movement in America, the leaders often affirmed that the test whether one was a true Christian was based upon character, not just doctrine.  The Bible is clear that God has chosen love as the chief distinguishing characteristic of his people.  Paul wrote, “And now abides faith, hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”  (1 Cor. 13:13.)

 

   A few moments ago, I tried to show some consequences of emphasizing doctrine only in Christianity.  In like manner, note the positive things that result when we emphasize the Christian doctrine of love foremost as the Bible does.

 

   1) Love makes us most like God, for God is love.  The apostle John was concerned with those who denied that Jesus came in the flesh.  He said that they were antichrist.  Yet, even while dealing with this serious matter which, in effect, denied the Gospel, he returned to his important theme of love.  “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God.  And everyone that loves is born of God and knows God.  He that loves not knows not God, for God is love.”  (1 John 4:7-8.)  “We love him because he first loved us.  If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar.  For he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.”  (4:19-21.) 

 

   2) “Above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  (1 Peter 4:8.)  Perhaps Peter had in mind the proverb by Solomon: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”  (Prov. 10:12.)  Love is our badge of discipleship, and it is the means by which we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  A lack of love causes us to despise one another and talk about others, sinning with our tongues.

 

   3) Love prompts one to be obedient to the Lord.  Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15.)  “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.”  (1 John 5:3.)  Those who disparage love, think that we are talking about something soft, ephemeral, and permissive.  Far from it, love binds the relationship between man and God in a stronger way than anything else can.  Love is greater than faith and hope.  It is better than knowledge because love always edifies. 

 

   4) Under the New Covenant, the Torah would not be written upon cold, hard tablets of clay, but the Torah would be written upon the heart.  (Jer. 31:31-33, Heb. 8:10.)  Love makes doing God’s will a joy and delight, instead of a grudging matter.  If love is present, his commandments are not grievous.

 

   5) Love is the first and second greatest commandment.  The Jews asked Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment in the Law of Moses?”  (Matt. 22:36-40.)  The one who asked this question among the Pharisees was considered an expert in the Law of Moses.  They were simply trying to trap Jesus.  What their question revealed much about the Pharisees.  They were not interested in the spirit or meaning of the words.  Surely, Jesus’ answered shocked them when he replied the first and second greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.  Jesus added, “On these two commands hang all the Law and prophets.”  (22:40.)

 

   We should hear Jesus’ reply today.  The greatest doctrine or Christian teaching is to love God and man.

 

Conclusion

 

   Christian doctrine includes not only the right forms, but especially the heart and spirit.  The Bible emphasizes the spirit of the message, not the letter.  For the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.