Does Doctrine Matter?

Doctrine is a word we've all heard, yet few really understand it or why it is important. Dictionary.com Define's Doctrine as - "a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated as in a religion or government."

When it comes to Christianity, having an understanding of doctrine, we'll see is of great importance. One could argue that if you do not know your doctrine, it doesn't mean that you don't have one, it means that you are following one without knowing it. For most of us, doctrine is taught to us from a young age. First from our parents, then pastor, teachers, peers, etc. For me, I didn't reach an real understanding of doctrine or its importance until I was 33. Prior to this, my doctrine was a random collection of ideas and moral principles taught to me throughout life. If someone had asked me what doctrine I adhere to, I wouldn't have known what to say. So in this 33rd year of my life, what changed?

Well, I had come to a point of realizing that I was now really an adult, and it seemed appropriate for me to have my own set of knowledge, beliefs, and reasons for why I live and promote what I do. It was also inspired by the fact that I had come to a place of questioning absolutely everything in life. I felt like I couldn't show anyone or really clearly explain what I believed about God, what happens when I die, what is heaven like, what is hell?, etc. In order for me to come to understanding these things, I knew I needed to go to Scripture to find answers. I'm sure that most of you can relate; you also have grown up following what you were raised to think and believe, yet at some point, had to decide if it's real in your own life. We need our own doctrine to be clear so that we ought to be able to do as Peter instructed;

1 Pe. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

At the point I was at, I could not do this. I was lacking the knowledge and understanding of God and Scripture to be able to give an answer for my hope. This is what lead me to diving in deeper to studying The Word than ever before.

Previously when I would be struggling in an area in life, I would look for a book with my problem in the title. I typically bought a Christian based author's book; however, this not being direct Scripture, never penetrated deep enough to affect my heart, as true wisdom and knowledge would. The Word says,

Pro. 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth comethknowledge and understanding.

I wanted to know without a doubt, who God was, what His plan is, and how I am to fit into it. The year following was filled with exciting new revelation as I sought to know Him more and follow this guide:

2 Ti. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The verse exhorted me to study and rightly divide the word. What I came to understand was that I had been very confused on how to read and interpret the Bible. It seemed like multiple passages contradicted others, I wasn't clear on what rules or laws applied to me nor which ones were abolished. I knew that the very next verse states:

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

So if all Scripture is given by God, doesn't that mean I need to follow ALL of Scripture? You'll do well to notice it says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God". It does not say all Scripture is meant to be taken as a direct message from God to me. The Bible encompasses all of God's plan from the beginning until the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ. It is comprised of stories of old to teach us of who God is and of His character, how He created the earth through Jesus Christ His Son, and the history of the nation Israel. Israel was chosen by God to be an example to the entire world of His care, love, and power.

Deu. 7:6-9 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Although I am a part of God's story, I am not a part of this story, nor should I stake claim to letters that were written to others. God reveals to us the purpose of all of this:

Rom. 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

I learned from studying further that I am a Gentile, not a Jew. I am certainly not from Israel, making me not an Israelite. I began to look at when the Gentiles were brought into the plan, and what was said about them. The word Gentile simply means (Not Jewish, not from the nation of Israel). So unless you are Jewish and or an Israelite, then you too, are a Gentile. The first mention that God had a plan to include the whole world was in Genesis when God called Abram and set him apart. Through his line, all the families of the earth would be blessed.

Gen. 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

We know that the way the entire earth was blessed through the line of Abraham was because of Christ being sent to redeem us. Later in Acts, we see how Ananias was told by God to commission Saul into this ministry after he was blinded by Christ on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (It was at this point of being sent out, that the Lord changed his name from Saul to Paul)

Rom. 15:15-16 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Thanks to these verses, we know when the Gentiles were appointed to be taught the Gospel of Grace and The Mystery by the Apostle Paul. This was a totally new message being taught and shared specifically with the Gentiles. Here Paul recounts the story of his conversion on the road. Jesus Christ was speaking....

Acts 26:16-19 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Eph. 3:1-12 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Historically, each dispensation: (oikonomia - administration, specifically a religious economy, stewardship) had a called prophet or apostle to lead the people, with a set mission from God. There can be more than one dispensation at work, at a given time, yet they each have a specific people group, with a leader, on a set mission. We know in the New Testament that the Apostle Peter was appointed to teach the circumcision a.k.a. The Jews, and Paul the Gentiles, by reading this verse:

Gal. 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.

Having this understanding now we need to really begin to study up on what the Apostle Paul taught. He authored 14 of the New Testament books. 7 were written during the Acts era, and 7 after it.

Act 3:19-20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Many individuals came to repent during these years, however the Nation as a whole did not. Prior and during the time of the Book of Acts, no Gentile was ever a part of the channel of God's blessings outside of affiliation with the Jews. The Gentiles were now allowed to be grafted into the True Vine and now they could be children of God by believing in Jesus Christ. They were allowed to remain uncircumcised and eat their customary foods and were even given sign gifts which made unbelieving Israel jealous but alas Israel as a nation continued in unbelief. Finally Paul quotes Isaiah's prophecy again at the end of the Acts period which takes salvation from the Jews and sets them aside for the next two thousand years.

Acts 28:24-29 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

The message being taught by the Apostles created a lot of unrest in the synagogue because they preached Christ and Him resurrected. Here we see what the council says to them concerning what they taught:

Acts 5:28-31 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. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

So they went against the high council, for they knew it was better to obey God than mere men, regardless of consequences. Later in the chapter as Paul was traveling and preaching we read this:

Acts 17:18-19 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

It all came down to a NEW Doctrine being taught. This Doctrine is THE Doctrine we are called to adhere to. Again in Colossians we can learn of what Paul's Doctrine taught:

Col. 1:25-29 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

So what is this MYSTERY he speaks of? Many believe it to be the mystery that the gentiles too would be brought into the family of God. Yet we know from many prophecies in the Old Testament, that this idea of the Gentiles being brought in was always in the mind of God. What was not yet revealed until now, was a NEW Mystery, that was hid from ages and generations and ordained before the foundation of the world.

Eph. 1:3-11 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

So The Mystery is that unlike God's chosen people Israel that are to inherit the kingdom promises, we have been granted the opportunity to receive not "some" but EVERY spiritual blessing, and where is it enjoyed? Scripture tells us "In heavenly places in Christ". We know from Scripture that after Christ was raised from the dead, that he ascended "Far above all" and put all things under His feet. So this sphere of blessing is in heavenly places far above all, where Christ is. What a glorious calling and privilege. When Paul was teaching his sons in the faith, Timothy and Titus, he gave them specific instructions:

1 Ti. 4:6-7 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

1 Ti. 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.

Tit. 1:9-11 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Tit. 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you

Clearly Paul put a big emphasis on adhering to sound doctrine. When he wrote to the Galatians he was dismayed to find them already swerving from the gospel of grace that he had taught them and was even bold enough to say let those who teach any other gospel "accursed".

Gal. 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Paul also offers warnings to them about straying from this doctrine:

Rom. 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Avoid is what we are told to do. Why? Well when someone doesn't want to receive the truth, you don't bend or break, you simply move on. He directly tells Timothy not to teach any other doctrine:

1 Ti. 1:3-4 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,Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1Ti. 6:3-5 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;He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Ti. 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

What should our aim and understanding be in the current world we live in? Well, we know that after Paul was appointed as an apostle unto the Gentiles, that there was no other callings or doctrine taught. We also know from this study that he was clear about standing firm on the doctrine given to him by Christ teaching of His grace and calling. Here is Titus we see a great summary:

Tit. 2:11-15 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

We as Gentiles have been given a glorious hope to look forward to! Until then, I encourage you fellow Gentiles, to study your word, learn the doctrine Paul taught, and be ready to share the Hope with this lost world!

God bless you!
Kacy