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4. IT IS NOT ANOTHER GOSPEL: Gal. 1:6-8v. At Galatia, messengers of another gospel visited after Paul had left, and their preaching caused upset in Galatia. That is how to dictate another gospel. It sets the whole house on fire. It leads to a denial of the faith (Galatians 3:1v.) and produces another disciples usually mortally opposed to the real gospel and its preachers (Galatians 1:6v.). The attitude of the Galatians was so drastically affected by another gospel that Paul wondered aloud about their stand in the faith Gal. 4:9-11v. Another gospel can destroy the basis of the original gospel. At the resurrection of Christ, messengers of another gospel spread the rumor that His disciples had stolen His body. The Bible records that that version of the story also gained ground. (Mt. 28:11-15v.). "The doctrine" must be so clear and convincing that there will be no room for the messengers of another gospel to display their deceit. If all these are not "the doctrine", what is then the doctrine? THE DOCTRINE: In 2 Timothy 3:10v., Paul speaks of his doctrine: "But thou hast fully known my doctrines". In I Corinthians 1:23v., Paul says, "But we preach Christ crucified". When Paul arrived at Ephesus, he did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to the Ephesians. The doctrine therefore is "Christ crucified" which every preacher must know like Paul expected Timothy to know and preach like Paul preached to the Ephesians. 1. A preacher of the doctrine must preach whatever is useful for the salvation of his hearers. Ministers of the gospel must be faithful to declare the whole truth of God. 2. The doctrine is not a speech to satisfy people's desire or gratify their tastes. 3. The doctrine is not a speech to promote one's popularity. The doctrine is not a reasoned hypothesis, it is a person; "Christ crucified". 4. The doctrine is a word of rebuke (2 Timothy 2:16v). It contains reproof, and when properly done it makes the man of God to be thoroughly furnished. 5. Doctrines are thought to challenge natural prejudices and to oppose the desires of the sinful nature. WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED: Why is His crucification so important to us? He said: "Except a grain of wheat falls on the ground and die, it abideth alone." So, it was because he died that He brought many sons unto glory. Heb 2:10v. His crucification is therefore our doctrine. Because He died, that is why He resurrected, and we know that: "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins" (I Corinthians 15) So His resurrection is our doctrine. That He resurrected, that is why He ascended and before His ascension, He said: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again an receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also" John 14:3v. So His second coming is our doctrine. Before He comes, the Holy Spirit fills the gap becasue He left with the following words: "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.........How beit, when He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all the truth"....John 16:7, 13v. So the gift and fruit fo the Holy Spirit is our doctrine. He said in John 5:39v. "Search the Scripture". So we believe and teach that the Bible is the infallable Word of God; that is our doctrine. He said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" Matthew 16:18v. So we believe and teach that the church is the body of Christ and every converted person must worship Christ in the fellowship of His church. That is our doctrine. He said: "I and my Father are one", "He that hath seen me hath seen my Father" (John 14:9v.) So we believe and teach the trinity of God. That is our doctrine. The same God said: "Hear ya O! Israel, that the Lord your God is one Lord". So we believe and teach the Unity of God. That is our doctrine. I could drill you on all the doctrines that constitute "the doctrine". We are called to protect and take heed unto it. So a preacher is not only to preach the doctrines but to take heed (obey the doctrines) unto the doctrines. We have dealt extensively on wha the doctrine is, But what does it mean to take heed unto the doctrine? What should be the result when we take heed unto the doctrine? The inquiry continures in the next edition. |
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