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THE WAR ON DOCTRINE
Recently I heard a minister attacking the Word of God. He alleged that the churches had found it to be divisionary and unworkable. On the contrary, the Word of God is doctrine and unites the Church, but the diversity of polluted substitutes adopted by the established religious groups divides and destroys.
DOCTRINE GOVERNS THE UNIVERSE
Doctrine is more than the New Testament commands to repentance, water baptism, and the way to receive the Holy Spirit. Doctrine created and continues to maintain the world, and indeed all creation. Doctrine orients the components of the very air we breathe and holds the secrets of time and space. The universe is governed by doctrine.
The Webster's dictionary definition of the word doctrine is: "An established principle in any science -- a dogma -- an assertion -- a gospel truth -an arrogantly (absolutely) declared principle -- an immutable way or truth."
In the light of these absolutes Jesus declared: "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7:16.) Contrary to many modernist beliefs of today, doctrine is absolutely fundamental to all things, including salvation.
DOCTRINE IS SPECIFIC
Paul wrote: "Now 1 beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them". (Romans 16:17.) Note that doctrine is specific; doctrine is not to be changed; and doctrine will divide.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to identify, clarify, ratify and fulfil the doctrines of His Father. Those who do not embrace and practise His doctrine are not representatives of Him, and His doctrine promises that they will not follow Him into the future. Society knows the importance of, and is governed by, rules and regulations. However, society is fallible and changes plans to suit the circumstances. God has a plan already laid down from the beginning, and He has declared it to be perfect, complete and unchangeable. No person nor organization has the right or authority to criticise or change the plan of God, yet the variety of unscriptural liturgy and ceremony is unbelievable.
THE DOCTRINAL PROCESS
No amount of religious fervour, scholarship nor tradition can make a man at one with his Heavenly Father. The only way is by the doctrinal process God Himself has specified. Jesus Christ came to insert into the plan of God a component hitherto beyond the reach of man -- the Holy Spirit. Israel had doctrine but not the capacity to embrace it: "... whom shall he make to understand doctrine?" (Isaiah 28: 9.) The problem was always with us -- we were given the vehicle but had no petrol.
Paul was most persistent in his letters to Timothy concerning doctrine: "...teach no other doctrine ... till I come, give attendance ... to doctrine ... take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them ... If any man preach otherwise... than the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing I charge thee ... preach the word ... and doctrine ... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ..."
THE SPIRIT TEACHES SOUND DOCTRINE
Scripture after scripture stating the essential nature of sound doctrine can be quoted. Let us make no mistake -- doctrine is everything. God is a Spirit, and the Spirit of God teaches sound doctrine.
John wrote: "If there come any unto you, and bring not / this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed."(11 John 10) . How unfair it would be to exhort us to believe strongly only sound doctrine if we have not been given sound doctrine.
The modernist churches of today have decided that doctrine needs tidying up and that God has not catered for the present scene. One minister explained the need for doctrinal variations as necessary denominational identifications. Jesus said: "If any man do His (God's) will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of (for) myself. (John 7:17).
One of the best ways to destroy a scheme, a pattern , or a political ideology is to lace it with enough irregularities, traditions and alterations to make it unworkable, and then attack and demolish it!
SALVATION IS OURS
The Gospel is the doctrine of salvation. Obey it and the salvation described by the Gospel is ours. To disobey it and turn to other sources is catastrophic.
The Bible story, from the Garden of Eden to the paradise of the world to come, is one of intimate, far-reaching doctrine: "… holding fast the faithful word ... that he maybe able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1:9)
The "christian" faith of today is loaded with "gainsayers" who not only oppose the doctrines of the Bible but propagate alternative suggestions and dogmas which are degrading and blasphemous to the God of all doctrine and the Christ who respected and recommended it.