| Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 |
| 1. Doctrine is important. This is the first of 50 studies on Basic Christian doctrine. Each study will include 10 summary statements, explanations of the terms and topics covered, and the main Scripture verses to study. The Bible is our textbook, and it places a high value on doctrine. For example, God often says, "I want you to know" (1 Cor. 11:3; Col. 2:1). God gave us the Bible as that we might know certain important things (1 John 5:13). Sadly, too many Christians know very little about the Bible and Christian doctrine. They often know more about sports than about God's Word. This series will study the basics for beginners, but will also give teaching for those who are more advanced. It will cover Christian doctrine from the Bible only, not the theories of philosophy, psychology, opinions or false religions. 2. "Doctrine" means teaching. In the Greek, there are two words for doctrine: DIDACHE and DIDASKALIA. Both mean teaching, instruction, education and/or explanation. Proverbs 4:1-2 equates doctrine with "instruction and understanding." A doctrine is a statement about a specific truth. It is a statement, not a command or a question. "Doctrinal" means "having to do with doctrine." Jesus taught doctrine. (Mat. 7:28, 22:33; Mk. 1:22, 4:2, 11:18, 12:38; Lk 4:32, and many others). One of the main characteristics of early New Testament Christians was that they followed "the Apostles doctrine" (Acts 2:42). 3. Doctrine must be true and sound. God says, "I give you good doctrine" (Pro. 4:2). Acts 13:12 calls it "the doctrine of the Lord." True doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent me" (John 7:16). Paul placed a very high value on doctrine which is true and must be sound. (1 Tim. 1:3, 10, 4:6, 13, 16, 5:17, 6:1, 3; 2 Tim. 1:13, 3:10, 16, 4:2-3; Titus 1:9, 2:1, 7, 10) 2 John 9-10 says that we are to ignore any so-called Christian who believes or teaches anything other than "the doctrine of Christ (the doctrine from and about Christ). 4. Sound doctrine is an anchor against the dangers of false doctrine. You can't fight something with nothing. We need true doctrine to fight and be defended against false doctrine. False doctrine is not onlu useless; it is dangerous. Eph. 4:14 warns us against the winds of false doctrines. Heb. 13:9 says, "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines." Jesus warned of the "doctrine of Baalam" and the "doctrine of the Nicloaitons" (Rev. 2:14; compare also verse 24), the "doctrines of men" (Matt 15:9; Mk 7:7; Col 2:22) and the "doctrines of demon" (1 Tim. 4:1). True doctrine "sets us free" (John 8:32). God urges us to note those who cause divisions contrary to "the doctrine which you learned" (Rom 16:17). 5. There is no substitute for a good knowledge of Bible doctrine. God desires for us to feed on His Word, and we become spiritually malnourished when we do not graze in the pastures of His Word. We become imbalanced, anemic, confused, easily led astray, prone to doubt and prone to backsliding. Some Christians do not recognize the hunger pangs they are suffering because they are not studying the Bible. Doctrine alone does not produce spiritual maturity, but there is no maturity without it. It is mistaken to say "I just want Christ, not doctrine." Christology is the doctrine of Christ. Nor is it true that doctrine divides, as some say. FALSE doctrine divides; true doctrine unites. 6. A disciple is a student. The New Testament regularly uses the Greek word MATHETES to desribe the followers of Jesus. The word means "disciple, student, learner." To be a good student, one must be teachable. He must admit that he does not know certain things (I Cor 8:2). This is a school from which nobody ever finally graduates, for there is always more to learn. God then wants us to learn enough so that we can teach others (2 Tim 2:2). We are able to teach our children, new converts, and answer objections to out faith made by unbelievers. But some Christians have not learned enough to be teachers, thouhgh they have had ample time. They need to be students again (Heb. 5:12). A student should strive to become a teacher. 7. All Christians should know what they believe. A new Christian naturally hungers to be taught, like a new baby hungers and thirsts after milk (1 Pet. 2:2). Too many Christians outgrow this and think they know enough. All Christians shoudl know Bible doctrine, not just the preachers and theologians. Ignorance is no virtue. God often says, "I do not want you to be ignorant" (Rom 1:13, 11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1, 12:1, etc). Willful ignorance is sin (2 Pet. 3:5). There are no acceptable excuses, such as being too busy, not smart enough, or that doctrine is not important to you. Every Christian should have an overall grasp of basic Christian doctrine. 8. God gave us minds and expects us to use them. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, so the saying goes. God created us with rational minds as well as bodies, and command us to use both to His glory (cf. Rom 12:1-2) The first and greatest of all God's commandments is: "You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37) It is ingratitude, laziness and selfishness to use our minds in such a way that we neglect learning what God really wants us to know. He also gives Christians "the mind of Christ," the indwelling Holy Spirit, so that we can spiritually learn (1 Cor 2:16, cf with Eph. 1:18). It is dangerous mysticism that tells us to turn our minds off and go by our feelings (cf. 1 Cor 14:15). |
| Introduction to Christian Doctrine |
| Adapted from a series of lessons developed by Dr. Curt Daniel, Faith Bible Church, Springfield, IL. Revised, edited and adapted by Pastor Victor Edwards, Spurgeon Heritage Church, Holland, MI. |