Doctrine Divides the Truth from Lies
In English, the words doctrine and teaching do not appear to be close relatives, but in the Greek they are siblings. What do we teach? Doctrine! “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).
Doctrine is not popular. “Doctrine divides Christians” is a common perception. And, in a certain sense, it does. But has anything changed? “There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings” (John 10:19). We might rightly conclude that the Lord’s words were divisive. There were no fence sitters in that day; try as you might, ultimately you had to come down either for Jesus or against Him. “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51). In case I should be accused of advocating division, let me be clear, the Lord never caused division for the sake of division. Unfortunately, we cannot always say the same with respect to the handling of doctrine in Christendom.
Should the blame, however, lie at the feet of doctrine? In Romans 7 the law becomes the scapegoat for sin. “I had not known sin, but by the law” (Rom. 7:7). “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Far be the thought” (Rom. 7:7 JND). The Apostle counters this line of reasoning in the strongest manner; far be the thought. Just because the law exposes and even provokes sin, we cannot accuse it of being at fault—it is we who are. Similarly, to blame doctrine for division is equally misguided.
The first wholesale division in Christendom was over the teachings of a man by the name of Arius. Arius taught that the Son of God was subordinate to the Father and that He was a created being. This teaching is blasphemous. We owe a debt of gratitude to Athanasius and those who stood with him against Arius. They upheld the truth concerning the doctrine of the Trinity, despite the fact that it resulted in the first major division within Christendom. To have given up this critical doctrine to avoid division would have meant giving up Christianity itself.
The Word was God
It is not possible to separate the Lord Jesus from His words. “Who art Thou? And Jesus said to them, Altogether that which I also say to you” (John 8:25 JND). The Lord was truly who He said He was, but more than this, everything He said was reflective of the One He was, the Holy Son of God. We cannot have Jesus and reject His doctrine. He was the Word incarnate (John 1:14).
The mark of a true disciple is one that continues in the Lord’s words. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). The Apostle John takes up this again in his first letter. The mark of one who is a young man spiritually is: “The word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). To continue or abide in the Word is to have it live within us. We cannot overcome the wicked one unless we have the Word abiding in us. Being able to quote verses is good; to live by them is far better.
Just as we cannot separate Jesus from His words neither can we separate His words from His person. We cannot receive the teaching found in the gospels without also receiving the Lord Jesus as the Son of God. It is the truth in Jesus that sets us free—His words have no power outside of who He is (John 8:36). It is important to get a hold of this. Though I wish to emphasize the importance of sound doctrine, doctrine alone will not keep us. It cannot be held separate from the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally, we should never forget what the psalmist wrote concerning Jehovah God, “Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name” (Psa. 138:2). The Word of God has always been fair game for the world to attack. Unfortunately, this has spilled over into Christianity with Higher Criticism and all its more modern disciplines. To reject the Word of God is to reject God Himself.
Sound Teaching
Concerning the early Christians, we read: “they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Doctrine heads this list. Earlier I gave what the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus. He also instructed Timothy, his young protégé: “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:6,13,15-16).
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul’s instructions go further. Not only was Timothy to be on the ground of sound teaching himself, he was to instruct others so they could pass along the doctrine: “the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). In the same book Paul further encourages Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Finally, there is a warning: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Doctrine Shapes our Behavior
I think it fair to say that doctrine is often perceived as less important than the things we do. The perception is that ultimately the doctrine we hold will be of little consequence. Certainly the Bible says: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). But are the things we do really independent of the doctrine we hold?
Doctrine shapes our behavior; it ultimately determines the things we do. I trust that we each want to be “complete, fully fitted to every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17 JND). But unless we’ve been properly instructed, how can we be faithful servants? Who would hire an unlearned and unskilled tradesman? No one knowingly would. We like to show off our good works (Matt. 5:16), but unless we have spiritual intelligence in the things we do, our works will only serve to bring glory to ourselves and not to God.
Throughout the history of Christianity we can find many examples of individuals who, quite sincerely, sought to do the work of God. Too often, however, their attempts were marred because of faulty doctrine. Ulrich Zwingli took up arms against his Roman Catholic foe because he failed to recognize the distinction between Israel and the church; the battles we fight as Christians are spiritual and not earthly (Eph. 6:12; John 18:36). In many respects the reformation became a political movement; once again, there was a failure to recognize that Christendom is not an earthly federation. A similar case can be made against the so-called gospel of prosperity. It is true that God blessed faithful men of old, such as Job, with earthly possessions. As Christians, however, we look for a heavenly inheritance, not an earthly one (1 Pet. 1:4). If riches are the evidence of God’s blessing, then clearly Peter, Paul, and the other apostles were failures. A social gospel, on the other hand, abandons the truth in favor of good works.
With the Corinthians we see how bad doctrine led to bad morals, or, perhaps, how they created a doctrine to suit their morals. Regardless, the two—morals and doctrine—go hand in hand. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians concludes with the most extraordinary defense of the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 15). This should leave us completely astonished. By 59 AD this most central of Christian doctrines had already been given up by some! And why? If there is no resurrection, then, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). Or as the rich man said: “eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). Live it up, for this is it!
The doctrine we hold will determine our world view; it will shape the way we interact with this world and it will determine our objective and purpose in life.
Standing for the Truth
Bad teachings made an early entrance into Christendom, and Paul had to direct Timothy to remain at Ephesus, “that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Tim. 1:3-4). The truth is our first line of defense. If we’re not sure what God has said, Satan can pretend to tell us what He has said—just as he did with Eve. “Yea, hath God said” (Gen. 3:1). The first component of the Christian’s armor is, therefore, the girdle of truth. “Having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:14). Without a girdle our tunics flap about in the breeze and we allow ourselves to be entangled in every new (or old) innovation that presents itself—and there is no lack of them. The bottom line—we are unfit for battle.
The truth is of such importance that Jude says: “Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). In this context the faith refers to the truth that we find in our Bibles and which, I trust, we have been taught. Throw this out, or dilute it with human philosophy, and of what good is it? It’s worthless; it cannot save; it will not sustain. The original Greek word for contend contains the root from which we derive our English word, agonize. In the original language it describes a struggle, such as when one is pursuing a prize against an adversary. Jude uses an intensive form of the verb. In no way does it mean to be contentious or quarrelsome. “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose” (2 Tim. 2:24-25). Elsewhere we read that we are to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Titus was instructed on the one hand to encourage with sound teaching, and on the other, refute those who would oppose it (Titus 1:9).
The truth is going to be attacked, weakened, redefined, and given up. It is important that we individually take a stand in our own lives. As the saying goes, if we stand for nothing, we will fall for anything. Martin Luther, in his defense before the German Diet (legislature), closed with these famous words, “I am bound by the scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand; I can do no other; may God help me. Amen.” “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).
It is widely taught that God has given us various natural abilities that we should use for Him, and, when the Lord returns, we look forward to Him saying: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). Firstly, we should not confuse gift and ability. Natural ability does not infer a God-given gift, though gift is given according to ability (Matt. 25:15). Secondly, gift is a means and not an end in itself. So when the Lord returns, what will He commend us for? Will it be for making much of gift? Will it be for excelling in our ability? I don’t think so. It will be for making full use of the deposit entrusted to us. “O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, of which some having made profession, have missed the faith. Grace be with thee” (1 Tim. 6:20-21 JnD). We have been entrusted with the truth of Christianity; are we furthering it or are we weakening it?
Grounded in the Truth
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he gives us the two ways by which we are to become grounded in the truth: “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
Searching the Scriptures
Our first source for sound teaching must be the Word of God. Not only is it the original text, it is divinely inspired. The further we are removed from an original source, the more tainted it becomes by the thoughts of the interpreter. This is true of history, and it is especially true of the Bible.
The Bible has been under attack since its inception. Whether it’s undermining those books which form the canon of Scripture, or the supposed discovery of new manuscripts which would call into question the received text, its legitimacy is constantly questioned. Skepticism concerning the Word of God is on the rise. From 2011 to 2013 the percentage of individuals in the USA who believe that the Bible is just another book of teachings written by men that contains stories and advice has doubled from 10% to near 20%.
The Word of God, however, is living. It is like no other writing and is more than capable of standing on its own merit: “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Carry a copy of any other religious text through a college campus, and little will be said; carry a Bible and the results will be quite different. The Bible speaks to the conscience. For this reason the world hates it. Even Christians can be reluctant to read it. It’s much easier to turn to the latest Christian best seller than to read the Word of God. It may encourage, even challenge, but if it’s a best seller, it won’t speak to the conscience.
The Bible is the “sincere milk of the word” (1 Pet. 2:2). Too often it is treated as too difficult—that it is strong meat only for those who are full-grown. This begs the question: How did those Christians become full grown? Yes, Scripture does contain strong meat, but we also find in it the milk which every new-born Christian desperately needs for normal growth (Heb. 5:12-14). Great advances have been made in infant formulas, but still, the best milk for a baby is its mother’s. Likewise, we can seek to simplify the Bible, to expound upon it, but nothing feeds like the pure Word of God.
Many subjects are much more difficult to understand than the Bible—calculus, quantum mechanics, biochemistry, or choose the one you failed in high school or college! It’s not a question of difficulty, but rather, one of our own dullness. We just don’t get it. Whether or not we understand what we read depends a good deal upon the state of our soul: “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). However, as this verse intimates, we have not been left without a guide. We are really without excuse. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit of God takes the Word of God and makes it good to us. Not all at once, but certainly as we need it.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Just as the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily, so we, too, must make it our regular habit. It is best to find a time of day when the mind is sharp and uncluttered from the cares of the world, and use it to read, study, and meditate on the Word of God. Only 20% of Americans read their Bible at least four times a week; in contrast, 88% of households own a Bible. A Bible on a shelf does nothing but collect dust.
Ministry
Some Christians believe that written ministry is largely superfluous. After all, we have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us. But is this the example we find in Scripture? Is this the conclusion that the Spirit of God would lead us to?
Timothy was instructed to teach faithful men so they could teach others (2 Tim. 2:2). One of the gifts of the Spirit is teaching; another, exhortation. We cannot expect to understand the Word of God when we neglect the ministry that God has given to the church. When Christ ascended up to heaven He gave gifts to the church; He did not leave us without resource during His absence. “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12).
To reject faithful ministry is to despise the gifts which Christ has given. It is pride to imagine ourselves wiser than those faithful men who have preceded us, and it will be to our loss or worse. Remember that strong meat I spoke of? Hear what Peter says: “Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as 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 Pet. 3:15-16). It is wisdom to use the helps that we have been given to shed light on those things we struggle to understand. When we are too proud to seek help, then we put ourselves in real danger of coming to our own conclusions quite apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.
As with everything committed to man, there has been a failure in upholding the truth of God. For two thousand years men have been piling wood, hay, and stubble onto that edifice that has become Christendom (1 Cor. 3:12). Paul warned multiple times of false teachers. “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy” (1 Tim. 4:1-2). “For I know this, that 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. 20:29-30). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
It is essential that we know something about the men whose writings we read or listen to. Paul qualified his instruction to Timothy with: “Knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14). The Apostle John also impressed upon his readers: “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). As a general rule of thumb, sound ministry will always exalt Christ; that which is false will make much of man. In Hebrews the writer says: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Heb. 13:7). The closing phrase could be translated, “considering the outcome of their behavior.” We should be aware of both the doctrine the teacher holds and also the character of the life he lives. As we have already observed the two go hand in hand.
Things to Consider
Doctrine divides truth from lies.
Doctrine determines our world view; alternatively, we shape our doctrine to suit the view we desire.
God has entrusted us with a deposit of truth; what are we doing with it?
It is only by reading the Word of God, meditating on it, and using the helps that God has given His church, that we will be grounded in the truth.
It is important to know something of the doctrine and life of the authors whose writings we read or listen to.
The degree to which we understand the Word of God is going to depend on our state of soul.