Doctrine

Good Morning,

Just what does your church believe?

That is the question many people need to ask.  For if we talk to the folks in the church, there is little clarity as to their beliefs.  Can you get saved without good works?  Are you saved by faith, or is repentance from sin required? Are you ordained to be saved and have little or no part in the work of salvation? The questions go on and on.  Once you are saved, can you lose your salvation?  How much sin can you commit and still be saved? What about baptism? Do you need to be baptized to be saved?  Is baptism under water or is sprinkling adequate?  

We know there are many different ideas among churches, but the saddest thought to me is that it seems there are many ideas IN EACH church.  The churches have failed to articulate their beliefs.  When Jude said to earnestly contend for the faith, what was he talking about?  When Paul said to mark them who cause divisions and offensives contrary to the doctrine he had taught them, what doctrine was he referring to?  

Here is a simple question, yet a vital one, "How can I know that I am saved?"  Some people say that question is not appropriate, yet that very question is asked in Acts 16:30: "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"


The response is equally simple, but try asking that question of the average church goer. You will receive a vast number of answers, but the most common response would be one of questionable assurance.  Many would say, “Maybe,” or “If you do this or that you might,” and others might say, “You simply can not know for sure.”

Paul’s response was so simple: Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."  Paul brought this man to be baptized the same night.  The answer is sure, simple, easy, and requires no special classes or personal one-on-one discipleship – nothing at all – just believe.  

America's churches (and therefore our church attenders) are weak on doctrine, ignorant on Bible truth, and unlearned in matters that make the difference in Bible doctrine and the stability of the church tomorrow.

Paul gave a strong warning about those who brought about various doctrines.

Romans 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.”

Galatians 1:8 “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.”

Paul warned that some would bring wrong ideas:  

Colossians 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.”

Peter warned about false prophets:

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”


Wow!  "Damnable heresies," is rather harsh, yet I will choose to honor the way God speaks rather than the passive tolerant manners of those who hold to no doctrine but "come and get along."

Paul suggested Christians avoid company with those who do not follow the doctrine he taught them.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”

The Bible places an urgency upon sound doctrine.  God wants us to know what we believe, to stand faithfully for the truth of the Gospel, and to separate from those who do not believe correctly.

2 John 10 “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

What do you believe?  If you do not know, read your Bible, attend church more often, and feel free to ask the pastor questions.  Our church offers a forty-eight doctrine study course to help people KNOW what they believe.  We desire that everyone be able to open their Bibles and show others what they believe.  

The directive is not to follow your feelings but to "Study to shew thyself approved.”

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

Pastor