DEFINING DOCTRINE

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DEFINING DOCTRINE

• A introductory lesson
• By Rolan Monje

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What is doctrine?

• The word doctrine is derived from Latin
• Basically means teaching or what is taught
  Latin for teacher is doc-tor
• Refers to principles, tenets, or dogma
• Can refer to a system of religious belief, or
  components of that system

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Is doctrine important?

• Paul taught that true doctrine must be learned
  and taught so that Christians may grow
• Eph 4.11-16
• 1 Tim 4.6
• Tit 1.9
• False doctrine destroys Eph 4, 2 Tim 4

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Relevant Bible passages

• We should guard doctrine 1 Tim 4.1,13-16 2 Tim
  3.13-17
• Some will follow false doctrine 2 Tim 4.1-4
• Doctrine unites and gives confidence Eph
  4.11-14
• Studying Gods truth commends you to God 2 Tim
  2.15

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There is benefit in studying!

• Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good
  worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and
  who correctly explains the word of truth. - 2
  Tim 2.15 NLT

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Earliest doctrines of the church

• Jesus was the Messiah of the OT Scriptures, the
  Christ (Ac 3.18)
• God had raised him from the dead (Ac 1.22 2.24,
  32)
• Salvation was by faith in his name, with
  expectation of repentance and baptism (Ac
  2.38-39 Ac 3.16)

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How to view doctrine

• Its about knowing God
• It has different levels
• It unites the church

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1. Its about knowing God

• God doesnt want us to be ignorant of his plans
  1 Co 10.1
• Gods teachings reveal his heart and character
  He wants us to know Him Hos 4.6
• The Hebrew word yada (to know) means to know
  by experience or by relation

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Knowing God is important!

• my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
  
• Because you have rejected knowledge,
• I also reject you as my priests
• because you have ignored the law of your God, I
  also will ignore your children.
• Hos 4.6

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More verses on knowing God

• Jer 4.22, 5.4, 8.7
• Mic 4.12
• Eph 1.17
• 1 Jn 2.3-4
• What can you learn from these passages?

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2. It has different levels

• Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees,
  you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your
  spicesmint, dill and cummin. But you have
  neglected the more important matters of the
  lawjustice, mercy and faithfulness. You should
  have practiced the latter, without neglecting the
  former. Mt 23.23
• Jesus recognized that not all biblical matters
  have the same level of importance.
• Different doctrines do not carry the same weight
  or impact in our faith and have varying effects
  on practical life.

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Doctrine has different levels

• Core doctrines are the most essential usually
  about basic truths of God, sin, and salvation
  (gospel issues)
• Important doctrines have less weight than core
  doctrines
• Peripheral doctrines carry less weight than
  important doctrines

PERIPHERAL
IMPORTANT
CORE
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Exercise

• Study out Matt 23.23-24
• Write down some examples of core doctrines,
  important doctrines, and peripheral doctrines
  (e.g. core Jesus died for us impt obey your
  leaders peripheral who was John Mark)
• Discuss this in a group setting

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Words of caution

• There are areas of doctrine that may be difficult
  to understand, or are just unclear (2 Pet 3.16).
  Dont panic. Not everything is supposed to be
  crystal clear. At the very least, the core
  doctrines are quite clear.
• There are areas of doctrine which call us to
  protect each other and keep each other from
  stumbling (Rom 14.1-15.7). As a church matures,
  its members grow in willingness and ability to
  interact and fellowship with high degree of
  respect, despite individual differences.

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3. Doctrine unites the church

• Defines who we are
• Defines who we are not
• Teachers and elders are primarily called upon to
  guard doctrine, but all disciples called to be
  faithful students of the word

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We need to have deep convictions

• I am shocked that you are turning away so soon
  from God, who in his love and mercy called you to
  share the eternal life he gives through Christ.
  You are already following a different way that
  pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good
  News at all. You are being fooled by those who
  twist and change the truth concerning Christ.
  Let Gods curse fall on anyone, including myself,
  who preaches any other message than the one we
  told you about. Even if an angel comes from
  heaven and preaches any other message, let him be
  forever cursed. I will say it again If anyone
  preaches any other gospel than the one you
  welcomed, let Gods curse fall upon that person.
• Obviously, Im not trying to be a people
  pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were
  still trying to please people, I would not be
  Christs servant. Gal 1.6-10 NLT

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Responses

• We need to be fired up to know God
• We need to hate false doctrine
• We need to be confident in the truths we have
  been taught
• We need to continue to grow in Gods word
• - end -