Is The Church Of Christ A Denomination? (Part Six)

Introduction As we have seen, what makes a denomination is the specific and unique practices of that particular group. We have noted that many groups have had division over the changes in doctrine that is to be taught by that group. Some want to hold to the truth and are unwilling to compromise. Many want to compromise and demand such.

This is one reason there are so many different groups out there that claim to be part of Christ, yet teach things contrary to what Christ taught and what we have revealed in the Bible. Not a few of these church leaders have declared that Jesus and His apostles were wrong for what they taught. We have looked at the nature of the church, the name of the church, the work of the church, and trying to understand Bible authority. Today we want to look at the doctrine of the church.

The Doctrine Of The Church The church Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) has no human creeds, disciplines, manuals, catechisms, etc.  The use of such constitutes “vain” worship (Matthew 15:9).  Nor does it uphold any teaching that originated within the church.  There is, however, doctrine from the Lord that the church follows.  Consider what the New Testament reveals about that doctrine: 

There is only one. Paul urged Timothy, “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).  Why?  Because there is only one true doctrine.  In addition to one true body, Spirit, hope, Lord, baptism, and God, there is only one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6).  This suggests the need for unity in doctrine.  To teach something other than the doctrine of Christ is to teach a perversion (Galatians 1:6-8).

It is sound. Titus was instructed, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).  To be sound is to be wholesome, pure, and uncorrupted.  The Lord’s church is careful not to add to or take away from the inspired Word of God.  This is why we demand “a thus saith the Lord” and “book, chapter, and verse” preaching. This has proven more in line with the Bible than all the personal feelings that men have about serving God.

It is good. If Timothy would preach the truth, Paul told him he would be “a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed” (1 Timothy 4:6).  The doctrine Timothy followed was good because it was God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16).  Today the Lord’s church continually holds fast to the same doctrine.

It is to be heeded. Great things result when one accepts the doctrine of Christ.  The same cannot be said for those who heed the doctrines of men.  Members of the Lord’s church consider personally Paul’s instructions to Timothy when he wrote, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).  Only the doctrine of Christ can make that promise; no other.

It is to be obeyed. The Christians in Rome were commended for their obedience to the gospel in the first century.  Of them it was said, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17).  Since they obeyed the proper form of doctrine, they were “set free from sin” (Romans 6:18).  Obedience is the key to salvation (Hebrews 5:9).  Thus, the Lord’s church emphasizes such.

It is to be abided in. John taught, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him” (2 John 9-10).  As the ole fella’ said, “that passage says what it means and means what is says.”

But sound doctrine is not desired by all. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires”. (2 Timothy 4:3). If you do not like what your preacher says, there are others willing to give you what you want to hear. Many people cannot endure the truth because of what it holds them accountable for, so they find a preacher who will tell them they can go to heaven and avoid the accountability that God expects of them.  Many groups will tell you that doctrine is important, but for most, only the portion they have copied into their creed books. The rest is not important to them.

Conclusion Since it comes from the Bible, we must understand that the doctrine of Christ is important for our salvation. How do you follow the doctrine of Christ? You read, heed, follow, abide in, and obey what the Scriptures teach. Nothing more and nothing less. It is so simple to understand and so many people have problems with it. Will you follow the doctrine of Christ?