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To What Is Doctrine Related?

In Romans six, Paul explained how the Romans had been justified by faith, thus having peace with God (Rom. 5:1,2). In Rm. 6:3,4, he said they died to sin when they were baptized into Christ and into His death and raised to walk in newness of life. Did "doctrinal matters" have anything to do with their obedience? Yes! "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. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17,18). The form of doctrine they obeyed had to do with the death of Christ for sin, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead (I Cr. 15:1ff). Doctrine is connected with being saved.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (II John 9). In this passage, having the Father and the Son are connected to the doctrine of Christ. Without the doctrine of Christ, we CANNOT have the Father and the Son.

In II John 10,11, John connected the doctrine of Christ with fellowship: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive not into your house neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Doctrinal considerations must be a determining factor in fellowship. The faithful child of God cannot have fellowship with one who "...transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ..." because that one does not walk in fellowship with God.

Doctrinal matters are involved in withholding fellowship from a brother. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offence contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple."

In Tit. 2:1, Paul charged "...speak thou the things which become sound doctrine...." Sound doctrine is related to the way Christians live: "...adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Tit. 2:10).

Doctrinal matters are involved in inspired warnings. Jesus warned His disciples of the doctrine of the Pharisees (Mt. 16:1-12). Timothy was to "...charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (I TM. 1:3). Paul charged Timothy to "Take heed to thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (I TM. 4:16). "Preach the word...For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (II TM. 4:2,3).