1. Acts 5:41-42

2. “What does the CHURCH OF CHRIST teach? The Question asked, not so disturbing as the efforts of some to answer it

3. What do we mean by this? Each denomination has its own stock answer to every religious and moral question A church may teach a certain thing merely because they prefer it to be that way There are doctrines properly called “church doctrines” which originated with or have been accepted by that church.

4. What do we mean by this? Most have a man or group of men within them or over them, who make laws of that church and have power to speak authoritatively on its behalf It is easily noted that what a church once taught on some subject, by no means guarantees they still teach the same thing – doctrines change. {Examples: Methodist Discipline, Catholic doctrines, etc.}

5. What do we mean by this? “Church Doctrine” is common to churches of human origin – it is their Nature and they Could Not Exist Without it {charter, creed, manual, catechism, etc.} They do not hesitate to say: “Well, our church teaches so and so…..” Usually they do this because the Bible does NOT teach “so and so,” and if their church didn’t teach it, it wouldn’t be taught

6. We are alarmed when Brethren in Christ Try to Answer Such a Question There is No Such Thing as “CHURCH OF CHRIST DOCTRINE!” No teaching owes its existence to the CHURCH!There is No Such Thing as “CHURCH OF CHRIST DOCTRINE!” No teaching owes its existence to the CHURCH! No One has the Power to answer authoritatively concerning “CHURCH OF CHRIST DOCTRINE” even if it HAD ANY!No One has the Power to answer authoritatively concerning “CHURCH OF CHRIST DOCTRINE” even if it HAD ANY! IF what the church taught is established, they have proved it is NOT the church of the New TestamentIF what the church taught is established, they have proved it is NOT the church of the New Testament

7. What Doctrine ARE we concerned about? God’s Doctrine – 1 Timothy 6:1God’s Doctrine – 1 Timothy 6:1 Doctrine of Christ- Luke 4:30-32; John 7:16,17Doctrine of Christ- Luke 4:30-32; John 7:16,17 Apostle’s Doctrine – Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:42; Acts 5:28; Acts 13:12,7; Acts 17:19,20, 22- 31; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 4:13,16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3; Romans 6:17,18Apostle’s Doctrine – Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:42; Acts 5:28; Acts 13:12,7; Acts 17:19,20, 22- 31; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 4:13,16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3; Romans 6:17,18

8. Withdraw from those Contrary to Doctrine Romans 16:17 “note those… avoid them”Romans 16:17 “note those… avoid them” Such have already Left Christ – 2 John 9 “transgresses and does not abide in doctrine of Christ.. does not have God.”Such have already Left Christ – 2 John 9 “transgresses and does not abide in doctrine of Christ.. does not have God.”

9. “Doctrines and commandments of men” Matthew 15:9 – worship rendered vain!Matthew 15:9 – worship rendered vain! “Doctrines of Demons” – 1 Timothy 4:1 “depart from the faith”“Doctrines of Demons” – 1 Timothy 4:1 “depart from the faith”

10. Let Us Be Equipped God’s Word is Right and contains ALL TRUTH – 2 Timothy 3:16,17God’s Word is Right and contains ALL TRUTH – 2 Timothy 3:16,17 IF No church on earth teaches or believes the Bible – The Bible is Still RIGHT! Romans 3:4IF No church on earth teaches or believes the Bible – The Bible is Still RIGHT! Romans 3:4

11. Let Us Be Equipped God’s Word is Right and contains ALL TRUTH – 2 Timothy 3:16,17God’s Word is Right and contains ALL TRUTH – 2 Timothy 3:16,17 IF No church on earth teaches or believes the Bible – The Bible is Still RIGHT! Romans 3:4IF No church on earth teaches or believes the Bible – The Bible is Still RIGHT! Romans 3:4

12. The Word is Our Guide NOT THE CHURCH!NOT THE CHURCH! “Sound Words”- 1 Timothy 6:2b-5 “doctrine which accords with godliness”“Sound Words”- 1 Timothy 6:2b-5 “doctrine which accords with godliness” What we Must be concerned about is what God’s Word Says!What we Must be concerned about is what God’s Word Says!

13. Nothing Else Really Matters At All!