If we concentrate, we’re taught something recent on daily basis. As Christians, doctrine is what the Bible teaches us. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary officially defines doctrine in a general sense as “whatever is taught.” Therefore, whatever different philosophers or philosophies teach is their doctrine. Webster’s specifies biblical doctrines as, “the principles or truths taught by Christ and His apostles.” Since Christ fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), all His doctrines sum up the 2 biggest commandments—that’s—to like the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, spirit, and strength, and to like our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Jesus taught His Apostles and so they, in turn, and along with the Old Covenant (Testament), teach us correct doctrine through Scripture.
What is the Biblical Basis for Doctrine?
Professor Stephen Wellum (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) tells us, “And it’s from inside the whole canon [of Scripture] that doctrines are formulated in keeping with Scripture’s presentation of them.” This is crucial to our understanding of where we get our Christian doctrines and why we obey them.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 gives us our source key for Christian doctrine, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person of God could also be complete, equipped for each good work.”
The passage says all Scripture. A clever teacher once said, “All means all, and that’s all, all means.” Therefore, the entire canon of Scripture sets our standards. Everything we want to live a godly life is spelled out via the Bible’s doctrines with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to assist us understand and gain wisdom from it (2 Peter 1:3).
Biblical doctrine is what the Bible teaches, and proper interpretation is crucial to accurate doctrine. As students of the Bible read it, meditate upon it, and study it, they need to achieve this using excellent biblical hermeneutics (the science of biblical interpretation). Logos author/editor Tobin Perry adds, “How we interpret the timeless Word of God shapes how we answer the vital questions we face as we pursue God’s mission on the planet today.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 includes having God-breathed Scripture teach us so we may teach others, and use it and the doctrines it imparts to us to reprove (admonish those that use Scripture incorrectly), correct (rectify false beliefs), and train disciples in righteousness (to be like Christ). We then (men and girls) are accomplished by Scripture for the Work God has ordained for us. As we learn and employ biblical doctrine, we grow spiritually within the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. In essence, we turn into more like our Lord (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:14-16).
What are the Core Christian Doctrines?
As we’re sanctified by the Lord (His work in believers to make us holy), our ability to grasp and apply the Scriptures grows. Our discernment grows, too, because the Lord takes us from one degree of glory to a different (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can handle the reality of Scripture higher, obey the Lord with grace and assurance, and grow in spiritual maturity as we put 2 Timothy 3:16-17 into practice.
The doctrines of Christianity are many and so they are included in what is named a Systematic Theology. Pastor John MacArthur tells us in, “Essential Christian Doctrine,” “Systematic theology goals to expound in a comprehensive and thematically organized fashion the biblical doctrines focused on the Persons of the triune God, their purposes, and their plans in relationship to the world and humanity.”
Systematic theologies are huge for a reason; we’ve much to learn about God and His Word. The Apostle John made this incredible statement toward the tip of his Gospel account, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every considered one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself couldn’t contain the books that might be written” (John 21:25).
The following are the essential doctrines of Christianity. Only pertinent details are included lest this text reach the dimensions of a Systematic Theology:
Bibliology: The Bible in its original state is inspired by God, inerrant, and has full authority over our lives as God’s people.
Theology proper: The doctrine of God—His infinite being and existence—and His triune nature.
God is:
Christology: The doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ—His person and His work
Jesus Christ:
Pneumatology: The doctrine of the Holy Spirit—His Person and His work.
The Holy Spirit:
Anthropology: The doctrine of man (humanity)
Man is:
Hamartiology: The doctrine of sin
Man has a sin nature as a result of the Fall (recorded in Genesis 3). Adam’s sin has been imputed to all humanity and, at its core, is representative of the broken relationship between God and man. Man has violated that relationship together with his riot and lack of religion (Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:18-19). In fact, Romans 1-3 is a mini but comprehensive exposition on man’s sinfulness. Sin affects everyone and every little thing, and it found its starting in Satan. Only Christ could atone for all of mankind’s sins, and man should be called to Him in repentance and faith and give up to Him for salvation, subsequently avoiding God’s righteous wrath (John 6:44; Romans 5:6-11).
Soteriology: The doctrine of salvation.
Jesus is the best way, the reality, and the life (John 14:6), and all who come to Him in repentance and faith are saved. No one can come to Him, nevertheless, unless God calls them (John 6:44). Those who’re truly saved won’t ever lose their salvation (John 10:28-29).
Angelology: The doctrine of holy angels, Satan, and fallen angels
Satan is:
- a fallen angel, the daddy of all lies, and is finite and defeated (Job 1:6-12; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-10).
- Angels are messengers of God (Luke 1:5-38; Hebrews 2:1-4).
- Fallen angels (demons) are followers of Satan, do his bidding, and are consigned to the identical destiny as he, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They can be tormented day and night without end” (Revelation 20:10).
Ecclesiology: The doctrine of the worldwide church.
The church:
Eschatology: The doctrine concerning biblical prophecy about end times events and the destiny of believers (heaven) and unbelievers (hell). The end of the age will see the consummation of all redemptive history when Jesus will come back in a second Advent to guage the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). Jesus’ kingdom can be physically manifested within the church and in His presence (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)
How Does Doctrine Shape Christian Life?
Humans are created within the image of God and subsequently reflect His communicable attributes of holiness, goodness, mercy, grace, etc. Knowing the doctrines as set forth by God in His Word gives all believers a blueprint of how we’re to live a lifetime of holiness (2 Peter 1:3, 6-7, 11).
When we come to an understanding of after which obey correct doctrine, we’ll know what it means to worship God in spirit and in reality (John 4:24). Our worship can be free of the constraints of repetitive obedience as our hearts are filled with the knowledge of the One who set us free from sin’s bondage (Romans 8:21). And as we gather with our local church, our unity in Christ compels us to greater acts of religion and obedience as we seek to glorify Him in all we do personally and corporately. We may even be missional in encouraging and supporting our brothers and sisters throughout the world, for the church just isn’t limited by national boundaries.
As we’re sanctified, we grow increasingly like Christ, and what grieves Him will grieve us. This will greatly influence all our decisions, for discerning God’s will is a matter of knowing Scripture and following the Spirit as he brings it to mind amid all life’s circumstances.
What is the Importance of Understanding and Defending Doctrine?
Correct doctrine is so vital that it led fiery eighteenth-century pastor Jonathan Edwards to write down, “The devil never would try to beget in individuals a regard to that divine Word which God has given to the nice and standing rule…Would the spirit of error, to be able to deceive men, beget in them a high opinion of the infallible rule, and incline them to think much of it, and be very conversant with it? No, he’s engaged against the Bible, and hates every word in it.”
The Bible tells us quite a few times to watch out for false teaching (doctrine). A superb start line is what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, “For the time is coming when people is not going to endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they are going to accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their very own passions, and can turn away from listening to the reality and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4). Paul didn’t say if; he said when. Indeed, we see this happening increasingly as the ability of the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2) causes unsuspecting and unguarded people to be deceived and follow the ways of the world. Paul’s very next encouragement to Timothy is to “all the time be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Again, in 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle tells the exiles to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour.”
Knowing our enemy desires to devour us, we’re to be ever vigilant in our study of the Bible and its doctrines. They’re not there for lip service; God gave us His Word largely to maintain us tethered to Christ, for “Greater is He who’s in you than he who’s on the planet” (1 John 4:4).
Knowing doctrine could be very exertions, and a few shrink back from the demands of rigorous Bible study. But the advantages are everlasting. Knowing doctrine equips us for each good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Defending our faith is sweet work. Immersing ourselves in correct doctrine helps us love God more, obey Him higher and more willingly, and equips us with the armor to fight for the religion (Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Timothy 6:12).
Paul wrote to Titus concerning the church overseers: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, in order that he may have the option to offer instruction in sound doctrine and in addition to rebuke those that contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Every believer gains from this command, for a Christian who doesn’t learn correct doctrine (what the Bible teaches) is a disobedient Christian and one who’s held sway by the world’s (subsequently, Satan’s) enticements.
“What shall I render to the LORD
for all His advantages to me?” (Psalm 116:12)
Doing all we will to learn and live out correct doctrine is one vital way we will glorify the Lord.
Further Reading
Why Should Christians Know What Defines Healthy Doctrine?
What Doctrines of Christianity Do We All Need to Know?
Doctrine Meaning and Commentary
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