Why do we have Bible Doctrine ?

One of the things I have observed over my years of teaching the Bible is that a great majority of people simply do not follow Bible doctrine. They read it, they hear it and even understand it but just can not aceept it. The question then must be WHY????

The word "Doctrine" simply means instruction, as it applies to how we live. Doctrine then means in everyday language...…...teaching given to us by a source of authority.

1 Timothy 3:16 tells us...……..


"The Bible says of that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” .

Bible doctrine helps us to know :
1). The will of God.
2). The character of God.
3). The way we can be saved from our sin.
4). How to operate the church.
5). What does God expect from us.

So then, when God has said something, and we read it, we understand it, why do we then reject what God said and do what we want to do and what we want to believe???? Why do we change the doctrines of God???


The answer is that our sinful natures do not easily submit to God’s decrees. The fact is that we as human beings do not like to be told what to do.

That is why we often pick and choose the parts of the Bible we are comfortable with and discard the rest. Or we replace what God says with a man-made doctrine or tradition.


Example":
God said that we shall not murder!

But we say, Abortion is not murder, it is freedom of choice.

You see, we as people tend to change the name and apply what we want to do instead of what God says we should not do.

Example:
God said in Lev. 20:13...….
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination:"


But we say, it is called GAY. That sounds better and acceptable.

2nd Timothy 4:3...……..
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”


My point is that the time Paul told us would come in that Scripture is now HERE!
 
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Very well said brother, as usual. I have encountered people who do not value doctrine. Every time the term doctrine is brought up, such people associate with theoretical understanding. People think doctrine is just something on paper. They believe experience trumps doctrine. Any experience without sound doctrine is dangerous! Our experience with God should be rooted on sound doctrine.
 
I think part of the problem is that people read the bible, but do not understand what they are reading. To understand God's Word would mean that a person would need to meditate on God's Word. When we meditate on God's Word it will then get into our heart. People are going through the motions of living and going through the motions of being a christian. Meditating on God and his Holy Word will put it into our Hearts. Once his Holy Word is in our hearts it will get into us, into our minds, into our actions, we will start to transform.

What I am saying is that people are lazy and take the short cut / easy way. If they read the bible, they can say Today I Read the Bible. Yet the simply read it with out taking it in, understanding it, digesting it, etc.

I was once this way, not now, but at one time I was. So many people are going through the motions of life and yet they are dead.
 
I think part of the problem is that people read the bible, but do not understand what they are reading. To understand God's Word would mean that a person would need to meditate on God's Word. When we meditate on God's Word it will then get into our heart. People are going through the motions of living and going through the motions of being a christian. Meditating on God and his Holy Word will put it into our Hearts. Once his Holy Word is in our hearts it will get into us, into our minds, into our actions, we will start to transform.

What I am saying is that people are lazy and take the short cut / easy way. If they read the bible, they can say Today I Read the Bible. Yet the simply read it with out taking it in, understanding it, digesting it, etc.

I was once this way, not now, but at one time I was. So many people are going through the motions of life and yet they are dead.

I agree completely with your thought!
 
1 Timothy 3:16 tells us...……..
"The Bible says of that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” .
...
My point is that the time Paul told us would come in that Scripture is now HERE!

I do agree entirely on the post.

But I hope I do not sidetrack the intention of the POST “My point is that the time Paul told us would come in that Scripture is now HERE!”

I would like to post a question. It is not a rhetorical question: I appreciate answer for my own learning as well.

How to deal with them?

Of course, am old enough I have my own Christian based principles to deal with question “How to deal with them?”. (see Point 1 and 2)
But as mentioned, am very much aware of my needs toward Christian maturity, that am into continuous learning, to grow.

How to deal with them?

The “them” are Christian brothers and sisters like us: who got it wrong interpretations.

The examples: abortion/murder, gay are examples of the CONCEPT being discussed.

Thus: am hoping the examples will not be dealt with in details as it will very likely derail the CONCEPT.
> more so the 2nd one is included in topics not to be discussed
> more so i hope the other example that I will propose will also not to be dealt with in details

The concept is, as I understand: misinterpretation of the scriptures.

HOW to deal with them?

The “them” are very same Christians like us: who believe in Jesus Christ birth, death and resurrection.
In fact: we are not even discussing the belief of others who are outside the Christian Faith: which is entirely another topic.

So How to deal with Christian brothers and sisters who misinterpret scriptures?

Point 1: I believe there has to be a JUDGMENT SCALE, the depth, the height, the weight of an issue has to be considered:
  • Abortion, Gay is the example: they are HEAVY in my scale.
I like to example LIGHT, not heavy examples:
  • Those who not agree on noisy musical instruments during Praise Songs…
  • Those who do not celebrate birthday of Jesus Christ on Dec 25.
  • Those who advice Christians not to enter into Politics, Public governance
MEDIUM Weight:
  • Can Christians strive to get rich, material wealth

Point 2: their FAITH, STEADFAST on using Scriptures to support their Point of View. it may be wrong, and SINCERITY does not count as measure of how TRUTH an idea is, but their steadfast, GOOD FAITH that is scripture- based? Does it count ? I believe so,

Am not sure, but in SECULAR LAW: even COMMON SENSE tells me: say: a contract to issue Post Dated Check was made in GOOD FAITH, but the TRUTH, the REALITY is: there is no money in the bank , the issuer made an error thinking there was. i believe: even one is guilty , GOOD FAITH will at least lessen the penalty.
 
I do agree entirely on the post.

But I hope I do not sidetrack the intention of the POST “My point is that the time Paul told us would come in that Scripture is now HERE!”

I would like to post a question. It is not a rhetorical question: I appreciate answer for my own learning as well.

How to deal with them?

Of course, am old enough I have my own Christian based principles to deal with question “How to deal with them?”. (see Point 1 and 2)
But as mentioned, am very much aware of my needs toward Christian maturity, that am into continuous learning, to grow.

How to deal with them?

The “them” are Christian brothers and sisters like us: who got it wrong interpretations.

The examples: abortion/murder, gay are examples of the CONCEPT being discussed.

Thus: am hoping the examples will not be dealt with in details as it will very likely derail the CONCEPT.
> more so the 2nd one is included in topics not to be discussed
> more so i hope the other example that I will propose will also not to be dealt with in details

The concept is, as I understand: misinterpretation of the scriptures.

HOW to deal with them?

The “them” are very same Christians like us: who believe in Jesus Christ birth, death and resurrection.
In fact: we are not even discussing the belief of others who are outside the Christian Faith: which is entirely another topic.

So How to deal with Christian brothers and sisters who misinterpret scriptures?

Point 1: I believe there has to be a JUDGMENT SCALE, the depth, the height, the weight of an issue has to be considered:
  • Abortion, Gay is the example: they are HEAVY in my scale.
  • Abortion, Gay is the example: they are HEAVY in my scale.

Point 2: their FAITH, STEADFAST on using Scriptures to support their Point of View. it may be wrong, and SINCERITY does not count as measure of how TRUTH an idea is, but their steadfast, GOOD FAITH that is scripture- based? Does it count ? I believe so,

Am not sure, but in SECULAR LAW: even COMMON SENSE tells me: say: a contract to issue Post Dated Check was made in GOOD FAITH, but the TRUTH, the REALITY is: there is no money in the bank , the issuer made an error thinking there was. i believe: even one is guilty , GOOD FAITH will at least lessen the penalty.

Good questions! If I knew the answers I would be doing something beside posting on a web site.

IMO, the answer must be based on the Word of God, the whole counsel and not just a verse or two.

1 John 4:1 says......…...…..
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

In the Revelation in 2:2, Christ commends the Ephesian church for this...……..
"I know your works, your labor, your patience and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.

Paul says it the best in 1 Thess. 5:21...…..
"Test all things; hold fast what is good".

I believe that we as Christians are called to know the things and practices we endorce. Are they truly of God or are we involved because they make us feel good and satisfied? We must ask ourselves if we are advancing the cause of Christ or are we just scratching an itch????

Our purpose must be nothing less than allowing Jesus Christ to live through us. That is our only cause!!!!

Your LIGHT and MEDIUM and HEAVY examples are right on. I would only say that I would call things that are misunderstood as what are...…......
1). Essential for salvation and what …..
2). IS NON-Essential for salvation.


You stated Abortion, Gay is the example: they are HEAVY in my scale. No argument from me. The reason why is because it is condemned by God as sin and not a sickness.

We could say that all the Commandments of God would fall under that category. They are all things we should not practice if we are saved however keeping them will not save us or keep us saved. We should try to obey them because we love the Lord Jesus and obedience comes from a heart of love.


Then you said...…….....
I like to example LIGHT, not heavy examples:

  • Those who not agree on noisy musical instruments during Praise Songs…
  • Those who do not celebrate birthday of Jesus Christ on Dec 25.
  • Those who advice Christians not to enter into Politics, Public governance.
Those IMO are non-essential and are preferences more than anything else.

Then you said...…...…......
MEDIUM Weight:

  • Can Christians strive to get rich, material wealth.
Why not? I see no reason why a Christian can not be rich.

Abraham was very wealthy. Solomon was rich! I do however have a problem with those who use others to get rich. The "Fleecing" of the flock by many today is outrageous. God does not condemn anyone for having riches. Riches come to people from many sources, but He gives grave warnings to those who seek after them more than they seek after God and trust in them more than in God.
 
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One of the things I have observed over my years of teaching the Bible is that a great majority of people simply do not follow Bible doctrine. They read it, they hear it and even understand it but just can not aceept it. The question then must be WHY????

The word "Doctrine" simply means instruction, as it applies to how we live. Doctrine then means in everyday language...…...teaching given to us by a source of authority.

1 Timothy 3:16 tells us...……..


"The Bible says of that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” .

Bible doctrine helps us to know :
1). The will of God.
2). The character of God.
3). The way we can be saved from our sin.
4). How to operate the church.
5). What does God expect from us.

So then, when God has said something, and we read it, we understand it, why do we then reject what God said and do what we want to do and what we want to believe???? Why do we change the doctrines of God???


The answer is that our sinful natures do not easily submit to God’s decrees. The fact is that we as human beings do not like to be told what to do.

That is why we often pick and choose the parts of the Bible we are comfortable with and discard the rest. Or we replace what God says with a man-made doctrine or tradition.


Example":
God said that we shall not murder!

But we say, Abortion is not murder, it is freedom of choice.

You see, we as people tend to change the name and apply what we want to do instead of what God says we should not do.

Example:
God said in Lev. 20:13...….
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination:"


But we say, it is called GAY. That sounds better and acceptable.

2nd Timothy 4:3...……..
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”


My point is that the time Paul told us would come in that Scripture is now HERE!
Good point it seems people will make up euphemisms instead, George Orwell wrote that people will talk in something called doubletalk...they will use another word to make it mean the opposite of what it is. Politicans are notorious for this because they want to be politically correct.

Politically correct is not the same as being correct! Its actually they want to be wrong, but make it seem like they are right! It really does your head in.

English is very bad for this is people make up new words all the time.
Its not even making any sense.

Why not call a spade a spade.
Abortion is killing an unborn child.
when two men attempt to have sex with each other. That is just wrong cos, men arent designed that way and also its pretty disgusting to think about.
 
IMO, the answer must be based on the Word of God, the whole counsel and not just a verse or two.
....
We must ask ourselves if we are advancing the cause of Christ or are we just scratching an itch????
....
Our purpose must be nothing less than allowing Jesus Christ to live through us. That is our only cause!!!!
...
I would only say that I would call things that are misunderstood as what are...…......
1). Essential for salvation and what …..
2). IS NON-Essential for salvation.

Yes, I indeed! i agree what more can be better to measure it than how it is aligned with Christ redemption.

It is more objective than a subjective heavy-medium-light weights classification :)
 
Yes, I indeed! i agree what more can be better to measure it than how it is aligned with Christ redemption.

It is more objective than a subjective heavy-medium-light weights classification :)

I do not see any problems with your weights agenda myself. It places the actions of others in proper perspective IMO.
 
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Being told what to do...
I think that, and this is my observation, that even children dont want to do what they are told because they want to have a choice. But the thing is people forget to tell them what the consequences of those choices are.

If you do that...you will be rewarded
If you do this, or dont dont do that, you wont have a reward.

Sometimes its a bit like training dogs. How do dogs learn to be obedient? You give them rewards or treats. Most people wont do something because they cant see any reward for doing so.

Its true humans are lazy. Most of us arent workaholics.
In the Bible, the first time in the OT God explained that if the israelites followed his ways and statues they would be blessed, but if they didnt, they would be cursed. Well we know how that turned out! Thats why Jesus had to come to save them, cos they kept going the way of Cain.
 
Bible doctrine is important because
faith is based upon hearing doctrine
.

Romans 10:17 states...……
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Our very faith, the things that we believe, are the result of hearing the word of God which is the source of all of our teaching.

If we do not follow Bible doctrines we will be at the mercy of men who will make up what they want to believe.

The teaching, the doctrine, is that in which we place our direct faith and our trust because it is through the words that are taught that we come to know about our relationship with God. No man can come to know God under the New Covenant without having been taught and without having learned.

John 6:45​
states,...……
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

We come to the Father through the teaching, through the doctrine.
 
And thats why its important to read the Bible so you can go directly to what God says.

How do you even know any preacher is preaching the word of God if you dont search scripture to see if things are so?
They might be preaching half truths or only giving you part of the doctrine.

While its kind of an act of faith to trust that someone else tells you the truth, anybody who preaches ought to be able to say, look up this exact verse in the Bible its there, its not just me telling you, this is what God says. Even Jesus did that, when he said 'it is written'.
 
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