Care for Sound Doctrine

By: Hugh Henry Snell

• 9 min. read • grade level: 10

"Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." 1 Tim. 3:9⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:9).

Nothing is more clearly seen in the apostolic writings than the decided way in which evil doctrine was resisted. Immorality was also disallowed and dealt with; but the marked care of the inspired writers to preserve "the truth," and their uncompromising attitude toward those who sought to corrupt it are distinctly seen.

It was when Paul knew that something which Peter had done, an act of his, had put in jeopardy the precious truth of justification by faith, and therefore was dishonoring to our Lord, that he, Paul, "withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed"; and we cannot doubt, from Peter's allusion to Paul after this, that he accepted the reproof and was delivered from the snare. (Gal. 2:11-21¹¹But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. ¹²For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. ¹³And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ¹⁴But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? ¹⁵We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, ¹⁶Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. ¹⁷But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. ¹⁸For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. ¹⁹For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. ²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ²¹I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:11‑21); 2 Pet. 3:15, 16¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; ¹⁶As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15‑16).)

We find also, that when the Corinthians had untrue thoughts of resurrection, the Apostle sought to show them that, by denying the resurrection of the body, they were virtually denying the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:13-20¹³But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. ²⁰But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:13‑20)). This made the matter very serious. Further on, when others were teaching what was contrary to "faith" and "a good conscience," Paul, by his apostolic power, delivered them unto Satan, that they might be taught by discipline not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1:20²⁰Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)).

Again, when some teachers added "circumcision" to the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the indignant and decided testimony of the Holy Spirit by an apostle was, "I would they were even cut off which trouble you"; and, "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 (Gal. 5:12; 1:8¹²I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (Galatians 5:12)
⁸But 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. (Galatians 1:8)). And let it never be forgotten that whether the Spirit by an apostle is speaking of false doctrine or of evil practice, in each case he warns us that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Nothing can be a more serious warning to God-fearing souls, or more enjoin us to check evil of every kind in the beginning of its intrusion. (1 Cor. 5:6⁶Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6); Gal. 5:9⁹A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9).)

So much was the preservation of "the truth" cared for by the early Christians, that we find one Apostle saying, "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth"; and another, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Timothy was enjoined to "preach the word," though some may resist the truth, and to commit "to faithful men" the things that he had heard of Paul among many witnesses, who should "be able to teach others also." (1 Cor. 13:8; 3⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
⁸Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8) John 1:4⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4) Tim. 2:2.) Titus was to speak the things which became sound doctrine, and to rebuke some "sharply" that they might be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13¹³This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (Titus 1:13)).

Sound doctrine was considered of such paramount importance in the days of the apostles that, when a question had been raised as to how far Gentile believers were under the law of Moses, the apostles, elders, and brethren came together at Jerusalem to consider the matter. The result, after much consideration and conference, was that they were confident from the written Word that they had the Lord's solution of the difficulty. They therefore wrote to the Gentile assemblies, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well," (Acts 15:6-29⁶And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. ⁷And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; ⁹And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. ¹²Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. ¹³And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ¹⁴Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: ¹⁷That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. ¹⁸Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: ²⁰But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ²¹For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. ²²Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: ²⁴Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: ²⁵It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. ²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; ²⁹That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (Acts 15:6‑29).) The verdict, therefore, of this famous meeting at Jerusalem exposed and set aside the false doctrine of Judaising teachers, and showed clearly that we who believe are "not under the law, but under grace."

"The truth" began very early to be the object of Satan's attack in various ways, with the view of perverting and undermining it, and of overthrowing the faith of some. Afterward, it was more directly against the Person of our Lord that the efforts of "evil men" were directed; for, it is evident, if the smallest imperfection could be attached to His Person, it would set aside the eternal efficacy of His accomplished work. Thus we should be robbed of all blessings and comfort. But, thank God, Scripture always guards His Person, so that in the inspired pages we seldom find His deity spoken of without an allusion not far off as to His humanity. In the Old Testament, He is brought before us as the Child born, the Son given, the Mighty God, the virgin's Child, yet Immanuel; in the New Testament, He is spoken of as the Lamb of God, the Son of God, born of Mary, Emmanuel, "that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us." 1 John 1:2²(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (1 John 1:2). His deity and perfect manhood, yet one Person, are continually presented to us—Jesus Christ come in the flesh, Son of God, whose blood cleanseth us front all sin; through whom and in whom God hath given us eternal life.

The Apostle John boldly asserts that "Every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ come in flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:3³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3); J.N.D. Trans.), so that even untrue doctrine concerning the Person of the Son of God is fatal. Such uncompromising care of the truth of His Person is enforced, that to a Christian lady and her children John wrote, "Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ coming in the flesh.... Look to yourselves.... If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God-speed: for he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 7-11⁷For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ⁸Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. ⁹Whosoever 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. ¹⁰If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: ¹¹For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 7‑11) (see J.N.D. Trans.). This is very solemn. Nothing can more clearly show the care there was in those days to maintain sound doctrine.

The Apostle Peter also warned the saints against false teachers who would bring in by the bye destructive heresies, and deny the Master that bought them.. that many would follow their dissolute ways, etc. (2 Pet. 2:1, 2¹But 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. ²And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:1‑2)).

Jude enjoined all true believers to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," and traced the root of the apostasy to evil doctrines. 1) "The way of Cain," or approach to God without blood. 2) "The error of Balaam," or loving the wages of unrighteousness, while professing to serve God. 3) "The gainsaying of Core," or despising God's order of rule and priesthood, and setting up a false order. Thus the atoning work of Christ, the service of Christ, and the priesthood and lordship of the Son, have all been perverted and supplanted by what is false, on all which judgment is coming. (Jude 1¹Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (Jude 1), 11-15.)

Paul's prophetic warning to the saints on leaving Ephesus was: "After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:29, 30²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30). And the remedy for such a time was, "I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up," etc. v. 32. Thus we learn that those only who have to do with God and His Word can expect to be kept according to His mind in a time of evil.

Taking a brief glance at the book of Revelation, we find the same care for the truth, and the exposure of evil doctrine. The saints at Smyrna and Philadelphia had to meet "the blasphemy" of those who took the Jewish ground of successional religiousness, and who were in some respects entirely opposed to the truth, but were not Jews. Observe, it is called "blasphemy." The saints at Pergamos were blamed for having some among them who held the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Thyatira was threatened for allowing Jezebel teaching, which turned hearts from God to idolatry and other corrupt practices. Sardis had not the truth in the love of it—was formal and "dead." Laodicea, however orthodox, went on without Christ, with indifference to His honor, and was therefore ripe for His rejection—to be spewed out of His mouth. Can any warning be more solemn at this moment?

Thus we see what a great cause of trouble and sorrow evil doctrine was to the faithful in apostolic times. Besides diligently laboring in the ministry of the positive truth of God, they had constantly to watch against attacks on the truth by "evil men and seducers." They fought the good fight of faith and contended earnestly for the Word of God as the only final and conclusive authority. This cost Paul many tears and sometimes brought him into collision with those he loved. In his last epistle he says, "All they which are in Asia be turned away from me," and among them he particularly mentions Phygellus and Hermogenes. He had to speak of Alexander the coppersmith having done him much evil, and that Demas, one of his fellow laborers, had forsaken him, "having loved this present world." When Paul was a prisoner before Nero, he said, "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me." Such were some of his sufferings in contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. On the other hand, he had confidence in God, and added: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;... and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."