Why Does Doctrine Matter - Don't We Just Need to Love Jesus?
The following came from a Calvary Chapel attendee:
As for the Trinity, it is not a crucial issue.
Jesus certainly didn't make it one.
His message was one that drove to the heart, that is that we must follow God with all of our heart.
All this dribble about doctrine being so critical!
One can have all the evangelical and orthodox doctrine and have a wicked heart.
The same goes for knowledge of the bible which Christians place such a premium on.
The only issue God will look at is did we truly obey Him?
Doctrine does not get one through the terrible times of life, obedience and faith do.
The writer's objection begs the question it is to solve when he uses the terms "obedience and faith". The question that is being begged is "obedience to what?" and "faith in whom? " Either a person is obedient to some objective standard such as that embodied in Biblical doctrine, or the person is obedient to a mystical subjective experience. The Bible is the standard by which we judge our experiences and not the other way around. This is the essential difference between Gnosticism and Biblical Christianity.
The Holy Trinity is the first and most central doctrine of the Christian faith. In short form, the Trinity asserts that the Father is God, Jesus is God, the Holy Spirit is God, and that there is only one God.
The premier commandment in the Old Testament was;
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
The essential unity of God is the core doctrine of the Old Testament. The revelation of the Son and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is the rest of the story. And it's not crucial? This passage is listed immediately before the verse implicitly referred to by the writer's original question. The next verse is;
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Proper knowledge of God precedes obedience and is necessary. There are literally hundreds of verses where Jesus and the apostles touched on the subject. The following sections have a sampling of them. (Quotations are from the KJV).
* Jesus taught doctrine
* Jesus fought against false doctrines
* Jesus was killed because of His doctrine
* The doctrines of Jesus were from the Father
* The early disciples centered their lives around doctrine:
* We are to judge doctrines of others:
* The early church was persecuted for their doctrine:
* Continuing in doctrine is what saves you.
Jesus taught doctrine
Matt 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matt 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
Jesus fought against false doctrines
Matt 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Jesus was killed because of 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.
John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
The doctrines of Jesus were from the Father
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
The early disciples centered their lives around doctrine
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest,
is? 1 Cor 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 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,
1 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 words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Tim 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
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:
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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;
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 to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
We are to judge doctrines of others
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 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;
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 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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
The early church was persecuted for their doctrine
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.
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;
Continuing in doctrine is what saves you
1 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.
1 Tim 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 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.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
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.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
Right doctrine got the first century Christians through much worse times than we have ever seen. It is the same doctrine today with the same power of God behind it to work miracles.
Believe in God and learn more about Him in His Word.
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