Question #206

Why is doctrine important?

Why is doctrine important?

The Answer:

This is a question that the Bible clearly answers.

Romans 16:17 –Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.

Ephesians 4:14-14 – that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

1 Timothy 1:3-4 – As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 – 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, 9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

1 Timothy 4:6 – 6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:

1 Timothy 6:1 – Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 – 3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – 3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.

Titus 1:9 – 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

Titus 2:1 – But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7-8 – 7 in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, 8 sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

Titus 2:10 – not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Hebrews 6:1 – Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

These 13 passages are the only passages in the American Standard Version where the English word “doctrine” is used according to a computer search. They demonstrate the importance of doctrine and the reasons for that importance far greater than any commentary. There is a movement today to downplay the importance of doctrine. Some suggest that we ought to preach love and not doctrine, failing to realize that those who do not love right doctrine do not love God or the word of God or those to whom the word of God is preached.

Some depreciate doctrine by suggesting that there are different doctrines and that doctrine may be determined by each individual based upon personal beliefs. If that is so then each person becomes his or her own god determining what they will or will not do. The God of Glory has no role except insofar as the god person’s belief may permit. Sound doctrine is not then determined by God but the human beings. Such follow results in many different doctrines – different from Scripture and different from one another. Paul’s charge to Timothy to exhort men “not to teach a different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3) is apropos.

Notice the passages that refer to “sound doctrine.” The existence of “sound doctrine” necessitates the existence of “unsound doctrine.” One who fails to teach sound doctrine can only be teaching unsound or different doctrine and falls under the condemnation of these scriptures. It is not possible to preach or teach “no doctrine” since that is the same as teaching that there is no doctrine which is then is contrary to sound doctrine.

Sound doctrine is the gospel. It is based upon and “according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.” 1 Timothy 1:11. That being so, another passage becomes relevant:

“6 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; 7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. 9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.” Galatians 1:6-9.

Substitute the word “doctrine” for the word “gospel” for doctrine is based upon and is the “teaching” of the gospel. Doctrine is important because those who do not follow sound doctrine are anathema is the eyes of God.

See also Lesson 4 in our series on First & Second Timothy.