WHY DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT

Doctrine Is the Foundation of the Christian Life
Prepared by Dr. Ed Watke Jr.

1. Christ put great emphasis on doctrine:

He taught the people by doctrine, can we do less? It is clear that doctrine was not unimportant to Christ, as some want to claim today. In fact the more people depart from Scripture, the more they dislike hearing doctrine as it might be taught in the printed page or preached from the pulpit. Here are references about Christ’s doctrine... or teaching to the people then and it relates to us today.

Matt. 7:28 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:”
Matt. 16:12 “Then understood they how he bade (them) not beware of the leaven of
bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
Matt 22:33 “And when the multitude heard (this) they were astonished at his doctrine.”
Mark 1:27 “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying What things is this? What new doctrine is this for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”
Mark 4:2 “And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine....”
Mark 11:18 “And the Scribes and chief priests heard (it), and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.”
Luke 4:32 “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”
(Consider also Mark 12:38; John 7:16-17; and John 18:19.)

2. The early church put a great emphasis upon doctrine: As the Holy Spirit directed the early church, and raised up apostles (those who had seen the Lord), He also raised up those who, as holy men of God, were used to write the Scriptures. Often, they wrote about the importance of pure doctrine. There was direction about Biblical doctrine as the standard of truth and the foundation for life.

Acts 4:42 “And they continued steadfastly in he apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and prayers.”
Acts 5:28 “Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Ephesians 4:14 “That we (henceforth) be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men (and) cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
I Tim. 6:3 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, (even) the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness...”
Titus 1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers.”

3. God’s Word gives strong warning about the neglect of embracing Biblical doctrine:

If we don’t accept doctrines about Christ, then we have not the Father.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, make them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
II John 1:9 “Whosoever 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.”
II John 1:10 “If there came any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into (your) house, neither bid him God speed.”
(Consider also Revelation 2:24; 2:14-15; and II Timothy 4:3.)

4. Paul encourages his son, Timothy, about the importance of doctrine.

Paul wrote to Titus about the same matter. Paul did not neglect giving sound doctrine. When you consider his manner of life, his zeal, vision, and burden as seen in Acts 20:17-35 then you realize why Biblical doctrine is imperative!

I Tim. 4:6 “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the word of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
I Tim. 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
I Tim. 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
II Tim. 4:2, 3 “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
Titus 2:7 “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine (shewing) uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:10 “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

5. Additional outline study concerning doctrine:

a. What God’s Word says about false doctrine:

Matt. 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Matt. 16:12 “Then understood they how that he bade them no beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
Eph. 4:14 “That we (henceforth) be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men (and) cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
II Thess. 2:11 “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (Read the context for further understanding.
I Tim. 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
II Tim. 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
Heb. 13:9 “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.”
Rev. 2:14 “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 stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

b. Additional verses about false doctrine to be avoided

Jer. 23:16 “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophecy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.” (See Jeremiah 29:8-14)
Col. 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

I Tim. 1:4 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith, so do.”
I Tim. 6:20,21 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen”

c. Doctrinal statements about ...

Maturity, growth -- Heb. 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. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

Foundational truth -- I Cor. 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according the Scripture; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures:”

Creedal -- I Tim. 3:16 “And with controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

d. Some essentials of pure doctrine ...

The Bible’s Inspiration -- II Tim. 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Christ’s Deity -- I Cor. 12:3 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaketh by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (See I Timothy 3:16 above.)

Christ’s Incarnation -- I John 4:2,3; “Hereby know ye that Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.”
(See also John 1:14-18.)

Christ’s Resurrection -- I Cor. 15:12-17 “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from death, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen; And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith if also vain, Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not, For if the dead rise not, then is not
Christ raised; And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”

Christ’s Return -- Acts 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
(See also II Pet. 3:3-13

Salvation by Faith -- Acts 10:43 “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Eph. 2:8,9 “For by grace are saved through faith... it is gift of God.... “ (Rom. 6:23)
A study of Romans 3:9-28 makes it very clear that righteousness is ours by faith
alone. Justification is ours by His grace through faith in Christ’s provision.

e. Attitude toward doctrine:

Obey -- Rom. 6:16, 17 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 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.”

Receive -- I Cor. 15:1-4 (See section above.)

Abide in -- Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Hold firmly -- II Tim. 1:13 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (See Jude 3, 20-25)

Adorn the life -- Titus 2:10 “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity: that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

None other to be taught -- I Tim. 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”

(See also I Tim. 6:1, 3; Titus 2:7, 10; II John 10; I Tim. 1:3; 4:6, 13)