Lamp Posts

The earliest disciples of Jesus Christ understood the importance of a faith established on teaching. Following the events of Pentecost, those first believers devoted themselves to the “apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42), a clear fulfillment of the Lord’s commission to the apostles: “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). The apostles’ teaching, or doctrine, was essentially the doctrine taught by Christ himself.

Accordingly, a message that is found consistently throughout the New Testament is that Christians must be careful to hold to that doctrine. God’s word contains teachings on great truths about God, man, Christ, redemption, the church, and holiness in life.

The writers of the New Testament knew, however, that holding to that doctrine in a pure and unadulterated form would require commitment on the part of believers. Paul warned about those who “cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you have learned” (Rom. 16:17). He exhorted Christians to grow to a greater level of spiritual maturity and knowledge, so that they would “no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). He warned of the danger of being “taken captive” by human traditions and systems of thought (Col. 2:8). The Apostle John summarized the vital importance of our abiding in the doctrine of Christ, declaring that it ultimately determines whether or not we continue to have fellowship with God (2 John 9).

In his letters to Timothy and Titus, Paul stressed the importance of holding to what he repeatedly referred to as “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10; 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1). He warned that there would always be those who would advocate “strange” or difference doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3), and that there would be times when some of the believers, no longer satisfied to listen to “sound doctrine,” would turn to teachers who would give them an adulterated form of teaching more to their liking (2 Tim. 4:1-4). So Timothy was exhorted to “retain the standard of sound words” that he had received from Paul as a treasure or “good deposit” (2 Tim. 1:13-14), and which he was, in turn, to entrust to other faithful men, and they to still others (2 Tim. 2:2).

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to adopt an unhealthy attitude toward “doctrinal” teaching. There seems to be a trend in some of our preaching away from the careful exposition of Scripture. Some Christians do not appreciate teaching that “contends for the faith” (Jude 3) or “gives an answer” (Phil. 1:17). Why is this so?

For one thing, the preaching of biblical doctrine is often, of necessity, controversial. The study of some biblical themes is by nature more demanding, requiring greater concentration and deeper thought, than some others. Doctrinal preaching is thought by many to be lacking in relevance to today’s everyday needs. We have failed to see how these doctrines touch and profoundly affect our spiritual and moral well-being. We have been influenced by a sentimental, postmodern worldview that says truth is subjective and relative; that what we feel is more important than what we know; and that emotions are more important than truth.

We need to understand that it is only through the preaching of sound doctrine that we can preserve a pure faith. Faith (what we believe and trust) and practice (what we do with what we believe) are inseparably connected. Unscriptural practices or even immoral conduct can easily take root in our lives once we have lost sight of such foundational principles as the true nature of God and of our relationship with him. The great doctrines of the word of God are vital to help us keep our thinking straight. False practice stems from false thinking. And we will never be able to teach others out of error and into the true service of Christ without first being grounded ourselves.

A healthy balance in our Bible teaching is paramount. Of course, we need lessons that deal with such basic principles as attitudes, morals, the home, and treatment of our fellow man. But we also must be grounded in the fundamental doctrines that are the foundation on which to build our lives. To go too far in any direction is harmful.

“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Tim. 4:6).

“Preach the word…” (2 Tim. 4:2).

                                                                                                            Dan Petty