1. Is Doctrine Important?

2. Current Views About Doctrine
Some brethren take the position that doctrine is not important
They say: don’t preach against instrumental music, women preachers, social gospel, L.S. changes, use of the treasury, m-d-r, etc.
They want positive lessons on Jesus, Christian living, heaven, etc.

3. What Is Doctrine? Doctrine simply means teaching
Gr. διδασκαλία (noun) = teaching, instruction
Gr. διδάσκω (verb) = to teach, instruct
All scripture is profitable for doctrine; for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16)

4. Where Does Doctrine Come From?
Men (Mt. 15:9; 16:12; Rev. 2:14-15; etc.)
Demons (1 Tim. 4:1)
God (Acts 13:12; Tit. 2:10)
Jesus (John 7:16-17; 8:28; 18:19)
Apostles (Lk. 12:12; Jn. 14:26; Acts 2:42)

5. The New Testament Is Doctrine
The OT is doctrine (Rom. 15:4; “learning” is from Gr. didaskalia)
The NT is:
“Good doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:6)
“Sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 2:1)
“Doctrine … godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3)

6. Is Doctrine Important? Gr. διδαχή = body of teaching
It was important to Jesus (Mt. 7:28-29; 28:20)
It was important to the NT church (Acts 2:42; 11:26; 15:35; 18:11)?

7. Is Doctrine Important?
It was important to Peter and John (Acts 4:2; 5:21, 25, 28, 42)
It was important to the convert (Rom. 6:17)
It was important to Paul (Acts 20:20; 1 Cor. 4:17; Eph. 4:21; Col. 1:28; 2:7; 2 Tim. 3:10)

8. Is Doctrine Important?
It was important to John (1 Jn. 2:27)

9. Warnings Concerning Doctrine
What happens when you do not believe and follow “sound doctrine”?
You are divisive (Rom. 16:17)
You are deceived (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9)
You are different (1 Tim. 1:3)

10. Warnings Concerning Doctrine
You are proud (1 Tim. 6:1, 3)
You are without God and partaking in evil works (2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 2:20, 24)

11. Doctrine De-emphasized
In the 1960’s-70’s some brethren promoted a “gospel-doctrine” distinction
In the 1980’s-90’s some brethren promoted the “core gospel”
Today, some brethren speak of “salvation” and “non-salvation” issues

12. Doctrine De-emphasized
All of these practices are the same just using different wording that catches on (a slogan, a cliché)
This is an attempt to be unified on certain Bible matters (emphasize gospel) and divided on other Bible matters (de-emphasize doctrine)

13. Doctrine De-emphasized
Where is the list, who decides what is on the list, and what is the criteria: the gospel list or the salvation issue list?
This encourages a minimalist approach to Christian faith and practice rather than doing all that Jesus said (Mt. 28:20)

14. Doctrine De-emphasized
Is the person who speaks of “non- salvation issues” sent from God to tell us what is and is not important?
Is he God’s infallible spokesman on such matters?

15. Doctrine De-emphasized
All of the NT is “gospel” (good news) and all of the NT is doctrine (teaching) – 1 Tim. 1:10-11
The “gospel” is for the lost (Mk. 16:15) and the saved (Rom. 1:15)
“Doctrine” is for the lost (Rom. 6:17) and the saved (Tit. 2:10)

16. What Can We Do? Stop saying that doctrine is unimportant
Preachers should preach doctrine (1 Tim. 4:11, 13, 16; 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:24; 4:2; Tit. 2:1, 7, 10)
Elders should guard doctrine (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Tit. 1:9, 11)

17. What Can We Do?
Class teachers should teach (emphasize) doctrine (Acts 13:1; Rom. 12:7; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:16; Heb. 5:12)
Members should desire sound doctrine in their personal lives: in the assembly and at home (2 Tim. 4:3)
Have a series like this on doctrines!

18. Yes, Doctrine Is Important!
Teaching (doctrine) is how all mankind comes to God (Jn. 6:45)
Teaching (doctrine) is what must be held on to through the generations (2 Thess. 2:15)