Doctrine
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” St Matthew 15:9.
The word doctrine refers to “a principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.” Dictionary.com. It is a connotation of a corpus of religious beliefs and views held by a certain group.
We the members of the body of Christ believe that a doctrine that is free from error, cannot be devised by man but only comes from our Lord Jesus Christ. We hold to this day than any religious view which goes contrary to the Word of God is not of God and should be shunned.
We believe in the one doctrine for all whose background is in God’s Word. There ought to be an agreement with the word of God as far as a church’s doctrine is concerned.
Men have their doctrine, there are doctrines in various symposiums but where God speaks let man’s words be few.
The following is an excerpt of the lesson “The Doctrine of Christ” It shows the difference between man’s doctrines and what should be embraced by all men as their doctrine: The Doctrine of Christ.
1. What did Paul say concerning one who does not love Jesus Christ?
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 1 Corinthians 16:22.
Anathema is the Greek word for accursed.
3. What divine justice will be recompensed upon them that deny the gospel of Christ? And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8.
4. Shall they escape the day of judgment? How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Hebrews 2:3.
3. Should the doctrine come from man or from God?
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John 7:16
Note: It is not true that doctrines should differ, from one church to another; if God is the Author, there should be no confusion:
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Christ said ‘My doctrine’ and not “my doctrines” meaning the doctrine is His and also is one.
6. What did the apostle Paul warn us concerning other doctrines which are not of Christ? “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17.
7. Many however have been taught that there is no salvation in doctrine, is this according to the word of God? Take heed to 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.
8. Did Christ tell us that there are many doctrines?
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9.
The commandments of men, even though they be of a religious nature, play no part in our salvation and worship to God.
9. How does God express His hatred of other doctrines which are not His?
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Revelations 2:15.
10. Is God against them that teach other doctrines? But I have 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, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Revelations 2: 14.
11. Also Paul had this to say: Be not 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.
12. Can a man abide in God and denies the doctrine of Christ? He that transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9.
Note: The doctrine of Christ is very important. Without it we do not have God. By abiding in it we have both the Father and the Son. One who does not have Jesus Christ is described as an illegitimate child.
This Lesson is available in full in the Book “Search The Scriptures” Pages 98-102.