DOCTRINES: Are they Christian?

DOCTRINES:
Are they Christian?

The subject of Christian doctrine, often cause some Young Christians to be confused, some say,  We should not teach doctrines,  others know that doctrines are right but cannot distinguish, which doctrine to follow, and that is the purpose of this article.

1) The importance of Christian Doctrine.

Doctrine simply means teaching, and this we can see from Jesus Christ's  life, Matthew 7:28  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (see also Matthew 22:33, Mark 1:22)

The Apostles  continued in doctrines,  Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (see more Acts 5:28, 13:12) and also they teach us to  continue in doctrines, 1 Timothy 4:13, 16  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Hence  Doctrines are essential part of Christian living.  JESUS taught doctrines,  the Apostles continued in doctrines,  and exhorts us to take heed unto the doctrine, as this will help us,  and those we teach  to grow up in the knowledge of Christ.

2) Warning against False Doctrines

Though we are been charged to give heed to sound  doctrines,  yet there are doctrines we must avoid, I will  point out from Scriptures Some doctrines we must avoid:

Doctrines of Devil

This are teachings  that are inspired by the Devil,  but how do you identify them?
  *The ultimate goal is to make men depart from the Scripture truth.
  *To cause men to compromise on Holiness,  so that they will not make Heaven.
  *To cause Christians to begin to live in Hypocrisy and Cover up.
  *To harden the heart of backsliden Christians who still  commit sin, so that they continue in their sin without Repentance and perish in hell.

All this is seen in _1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

Doctrines of Men

Another aspect of Doctrines that we should avoid is doctrines of men,  where they give traditional (cultural) instructions such as taboos and teach such as doctrines.

This doctrines constitute what Christ described as vain worship in Mark 7:7  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. This doctrines were also described in Colossians 2:21-22  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Doctrines of Balaam

This is another deceptive doctrine,  and its signs are:

  *Compromise on the truth, and holiness.
   *Promote riches and covetousness rather than righteousness
   *Promote self will and Hypocrisy.
   *Teaching that misleads and promote corruption, defilement and sin.
   *Teaching that promotes or protect fornication and idolatry. 

This is revealed in Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Doctrines of Pharisees and Sadducees

Matthew 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Jesus himself warns here concerning this doctrines  but what are their teachings  that made Jesus warn against them.
   *Hypocrisy: Matthew 23: 13-15,23, 27, 29
   *Prevent others from Holiness. (Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  See also Hebrews 12:14)

3) Elements of sound Doctrines

In the first part we have seen the necessity of sound Doctrines, but it is important that we consider the things that highlights and make up sound Doctrines. Below are some of these  elements:

   The source is Divine see what Jesus said as man in John 7:16  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Its Emphasis is the Will and word of God see John 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Sound Doctrine Portrays God as God and Supreme,  He is the creator of all things, and cannot be worshipped through any media, whether animate or inanimate. God has appointed that through the blood of his Son, shed for the remission of sin of the world, we might through repentance be accepted before him,  and by prayer in the name of Jesus Christ whose blood was shed, we can make our request known to God,  for by him we also become children of God who have accepted his provision, and prepare a day of Judgement for all who reject this offer of Salvation.
(Acts 17:19, 24-31)

Sound Doctrines forbids and sets free from sin. As seen in Romans 6:15, 17  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Sound Doctrines reminds, warns, correct, see more in 1 Timothy 4:6,  2 Timothy 3:16  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: