The Doctrine of Christ 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. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 2 John 9-11

The Issue Some believe and affirm that “the doctrine of Christ” has reference to (1) the teaching about the Christ (his life, death & resurrection) rather than referring to (2) the doctrine which belongs to Christ (taught by Him and His apostles. The withdrawal of fellowship is limited only to those who deny the fundamental aspects of Christ’s life We are limited in our fellowship to those who faith- fully proclaim all of Christ’s teaching

Different Translations “the teaching of Christ” (NIV) “the teaching of Christ” (NASB) “the teaching of Christ” (Eng. SV) “the teaching of Christ” (ASV) “the teaching of the Christ” (Young’s Lit.) “the doctrine of the Christ” (Darby) “the teaching of Christ” (Wycliffe N.T.) “the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught]” (Amplified)

Reference Works “abideth not in the teaching of the Christ” “John…defines [theological] limits” (Expositor’s Greek NT) “doctrine (teaching); of Christ (not the teaching concerning Christ, but the teaching of Christ Himself and His apostles)” (Vincent’s Word Studies of the NT)

Context The context is the entire epistle (only 13 verses) “whom I love in truth” (1) “those who have known the truth” (1) “the truth” (2) “in truth and love” (3) “walking in truth” (4) “walk according to His command- ments” (6) Greater Context (see verses)

Acts 2:41-42 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. {42} And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:41-42 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. {15} "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

2 Peter 3:15-16 Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, {16} as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

John 17:20-21 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The Doctrine of Christ Conclusion It does matter what we teach and believe. We must maintain faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, lest we fall out of fellowship with God and His people. “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)