By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

2 Tim 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE?

Doctrines are teachings of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a set of beliefs that every believer should adhere to. Doctrine is also referred to as the Oracles of God. Christian doctrine is rooted in the scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16 says that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God to us for doctrine. God inspired it; it is a revelation from God to us. There is nothing else given to us for doctrine except the scriptures. It is also important to know that the Bible is the only source of Christian doctrine because it is an unveiling of God’s truths to man.

2 Peter 1:20-21 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Scripture should not be treated as a private or intellectual discourse because it is not from man. The holy men of God received this direct revelation from God and wrote it for us. That’s why scripture is the only source of doctrine.  We must endeavor not to use dreams, visions, or any other supernatural manifestation for doctrine because;

1. 1. The Scripture does not say that dreams or any other gifts are given to us for doctrine.
   2. It leaves room for diverse interpretations of the scriptures. Dreams are subject to one’s interpretation.
   3. Scripture has examples of people who claimed dreams as their authority but they were not genuine. They were fake!

Jude 8 “In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE?

It saves us from error and demonic deceits. Keep a close watch on how you live and on what you teach. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and that of those who listen to you. In 1 Tim 4:16, Timothy was warned to be deliberate about the doctrine. This admonition applies to all believers. Many are eager to teach but not many want to take the time to ensure that what they teach is not demonic or deceitful doctrines. Jesus warns us that if we make one of those that believe in Him fall, it would be better if we were not born. If you are a teacher of the gospel, please be careful with what you teach because you are going to account for the souls you taught.  You can destroy yourself and those who listen to you by preaching the wrong doctrine.  We must be careful not to introduce errors into the doctrine.

The doctrine creates standards and unity of faith making sure we all believe in the same thing and mature in that truth until we are no more vulnerable to deceit. It gives us standards and boundaries of the truth so we don’t just believe anything or everything. Be careful of the gatherings you go to in the name of attending church or fellowship. A church should have standard beliefs that are backed up by the Scriptures. These standard beliefs cannot be disputed or altered to align with our individual opinions.

We can fellowship with other Christians, and not have a perfect agreement on everything but there are certain absolutes that we must all agree on. We must believe and agree that Jesus saves and that we are saved by faith in Christ alone. This is the foundational and most important doctrine.

 There are all sorts of dangerous doctrines out there every believer should stay away from. Any doctrine that offers salvation based on works or a combination of works and grace is false! The true gospel teaches that there is no salvation in any other except in the Son of God Jesus Christ. We are saved only by faith in him alone and not by our works.

Eph 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Once we are grounded in the true doctrine, we can’t be tossed back and forth.  If it is not scripture, do not believe or accept it. Be sure it agrees with the revealed truths of God. As stated in the scriptures, judge all things. You owe it to yourself to think for yourself and not be afraid to judge all things with the Scriptures. These noble Christians (the Berean) did just that after Paul preached.

Acts 17:11-12 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”

DANGERS OF FALSE DOCTRINE

• • God hates wrong doctrine because it creates a stumbling block for people of faith.

Rev 2:14-15 “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.15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

• • False doctrines destroy people’s faith, promote ungodliness, and spreads like cancer to ruin as many people as possible

2 Tim 2:16-18 “Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.”

• • It is demonic and the demons have just this simple goal; to turn you away from true faith which is in Christ Jesus alone.

1 Tim 4:1-2 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.”

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of  Fountain of  The Living Word Church, New Jersey.