• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
DOCTRINE
Is doctrine a Dirty Word?
 Rev. Philip Harrelson
Doctrine, n. -- A body of principles in a system of beliefs. A doctrine is what the wholeBible teaches about a particular topic or subject.The above definition may seem a bit stiff, as most dictionary definitions do. Butthe definition of our “body of principles” and “system of beliefs” is found in an unstiff Book—the Bible. They are plainly laid out and narrowly defined. It is the Word of Godwe go to for the discovery of doctrinal truths for no other source is one with the Truth.Jesus said, “I am. . . the truth” (John 14:6).Doctrine encompasses but is not limited to the following:
•
The Doctrine of God
•
The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)
•
The Doctrine of Christ
•
The Doctrine of Satan
•
The Doctrine of the Church
•
The Doctrine of Man
•
The Doctrine of Sin
•
The Doctrine of Eschatology (Prophecy)
There also must be an understanding that each of these areas can havecomponents that can become even more specific. As with the doctrine of salvation, onecan obviously include such elements as: repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, heaven,holiness, etc.The word “doctrine” appears fifty-one times in 50 verses throughout the Word of God. From this list there are several things observed about the concept of doctrine:
•
 It is Refreshing 
-- Dt.32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shalldistill as the dew.
•
 It is Pure
-- Job 11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine
is
pure.
•
 It is to be Observed 
-- Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye notmy law.
•
 It is to be embraced early in life
-- Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge?and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them
 
that 
 
are
weaned from themilk,
and 
drawn from the breasts.
•
 It has Authority
-- Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for hetaught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. (Mk. 1:27; Luke 4:32)
•
 It is Ordained by God 
-- John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine isnot mine, but his that sent me.
•
 It is to be taught continuously
-- Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in theapostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 
•
 It has the power to break the chains of sin
-- Romans 6:17 But God be thanked,that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
•
There is only one true Biblical doctrine
-- 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee toabide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge somethat they teach no other doctrine,
•
The Church is to constantly preserve and teach doctrine
-- 1 Timothy 4:13 Till Icome, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
•
 Scripture is the source for doctrine
-- 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture
is
given byinspiration of God, and
is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
•
 Doctrine is to be preached 
-- 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season,out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
•
There is a sound doctrine
 
-- 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they willnot endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselvesteachers, having itching ears; (Titus 1:9; 2:1)
•
 It is to be adorned 
-- Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; thatthey may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
•
 It has different components
-- Hebrews 6:1-2 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, 6:2 Of the doctrine of  baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
•
There is an error in doctrine that is not God-centered 
-- Revelation 2:14 But Ihave a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, toeat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
•
There are winds of doctrine that deceive others
-- Revelation 2:15 So hast thoualso them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. (Rev. 2:24)
The word “doctrine” comes from the Greek word
didaskalia
which means“teaching.” It refers both to the act of teaching and to what is taught (the teaching). Theword Torah or Law in Hebrew also means “teaching.” Therefore, the “law of the Lord”means basically the “teaching of the Lord.” The suffix
ology
means a branch or body of learning. Thus, biology refers to a body of learning about organic life. Theology refersto learning or teaching about God. Thus theology and doctrine mean basically the samething.The word
didaskalia
appears in the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus)some sixteen times. This word indicates that the systematic exposition of the Word of God is in order. It could mean that a person could be taught individually, in a small groupsetting, or in the setting of a church. The real emphasis is that the man of God must beconstantly sowing the good seed of the Word into the lives of those around him.Among Biblical scholars, there are two branches of theology. One is known as biblical theology and the other as systematic theology. Both must be based upon theBible and both are essential to a solid understanding of the Scriptures.
 
 Biblical theology places an emphasis on history
.
Biblical theology deals withhow the historical frameworks of the Old and New Testaments influence their teachings.Every teaching of the Bible came into a particular historical situation and how themessage from God was particularly suited to the needs of the people in that situation.Biblical theology could more properly be called the historical theology of the OldTestament and the historical theology of the New Testament.
 Systematic theology emphasizes systems of thought 
.
Systematic theologians tryto take all the teachings of a particular subject and put them together to give a full pictureof that subject. Generally, the subject will be taken from it’s first mention in Scriptureand correlated in a sequential manner, so that the topic is formed as it follows a coursethrough Scripture. The course can either follow a chronological system or follow throughconsecutive Scripture sequence (i.e. from OT to NT).
The Advantages of Studying Doctrine
When we study the Word of God there are several considerations that we shouldremember. David Bernard states the following in
 Doctrines of the Bible
 
(p. 28):
When studying the Bible, we should keep in mind several points:(1)Illumination of the Spirit is necessary,(2) The Bible is basically plain and meant to be understood,(3) Scripture interprets Scripture,(4) Truth is revealed progressively from Old to New Testament,(5) The Bible presents a unified theology,(6) No doctrine stands on one passage alone or is hidden in obscurepassages,(7) The Bible is accommodated to the human mind (but not to error),and(8) Each passage has one primary meaning but can have manyapplications.We can have confidence that God has revealed, preserved, and transmitted HisWord to us today and that we can understand it. His Word is the Bible.
In addition to these points, there are several advantages that come with the seriousstudy of Doctrine.1.
The study of Doctrine will keep us from spiritual error.
It is important to seek outand pursue the tenets of faith expressed by the Bible. If the true core of ApostolicDoctrine is lost, then all that is dear to the Apostolic Pentecostals will soon follow.
Take Heed Unto Thyself and to the Doctrine. . .
1 Timothy 4:1-5
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart fromthe faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy;having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry,
and 
 
commanding 
toabstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God
is
good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...