There is a DOCTRINE of Christ to be followed.

This last lesson is about the Doctrine of Christ. Some would have you believe the error that there is no law under the New Testament. They will claim that there are no commands to be followed, worship is personal and that Jesus accepts you as you are without repentance. This also includes that a person cannot so sin as to lose their salvation. This is wrong.

“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.” [2John 1:9]

Since there is a DOCTRINE of Christ, what is it and what are we to do with it?

As we begin this study, let’s be reminded of the words from Jesus;

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

[Luke 6:46]

This article is unable to give you every point about the Doctrine of Christ, nor shall it be a creed. The Doctrine of Christ is the New Testament scriptures. I will address 8 key points about the Doctrine of Christ.

Doing some of Christ’s Doctrine would not do if we haven’t completed the primary part. That is to obey the Gospel for salvation. The gospel is the Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus [2Thess 1:8-9; 1Cor 15:1-5; Heb 5:8-9]. How do you obey the DBR? Our Baptism is the culmination of our Faith in Christ. When we’ve Heard the Gospel, Believed it with all our heart, Repented of our sin, and Confessed that Jesus is the Christ, we become eligible to follow Christ into His Death, Burial & Resurrection [Rom 6:3-4]. God working through our faith [Col 2:11-12].

It then follows that OBEDIENCE to the Doctrine becomes the way of life for the Christian. “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.” [1Tim 4:16; cr. Rom 6:17-18]

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” [Mat 28:18]. What this means is that CHRIST has all authority. We as the created have no authority to make up a law of requirements for other men to follow. CHRIST, as the Head of the church, has that authority. He has given us all thing pertaining to Life & Godliness and we are to do our best to follow. [2Peter 1:3-5]. This is not limited to the ‘words in red.’ The entirety of the New Testament are His commands as given to the Apostles & inspired writers through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. [1Cor 14:37; John 16:13; 1Peter 1:20]

After Jesus commanded that we obey the gospel, He then said that His doctrine was to be TAUGHT to these new creatures. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” [Mat 28:20; cr. 2Tim 2:2] It would not do for the Christian to remain in their former understanding of morality [1Cor 6:9-11]. The Christian is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” [2Pet 3:18; Heb 5:12; 1Peter 2:2; 2Tim 3:15-17].

The Doctrine of Christ teaches that it’s possible to neglect, sin, and shipwreck our faith [Heb 2:3; Gal 5:4; 1Tim 1:19]. Therefore, we are to be on guard and REMAIN Faithful. This would be easy if our faith wasn’t under attack [1Peter 4:12; Eph 6:10-17]. Christ calls us to remain faithful even if it causes our death. [Act 2:42; Rev 2:10]

Christ, through His Doctrine, also expects us to INCREASE our faith, to abound in Love, Good Works and thanksgiving [2Pet 1:5-12; 1Co 15:58; 2Co 8:7; Php 1:9; Col 2:7; 1Thess 4:1; 2Thess 1:3; Rom 15:13]. Christians grow, mature, and produce, each according to their ability & opportunity.

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:” [1Thess 3:12]

Throughout the Old Testament we see warnings for the people of God not to revert back to their former sinful ways. It should come as no surprise that the Doctrine of Christ has this same warning and admonition. We are to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER Turn Back! The Apostle Peter said it in a very descriptive way; “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” [2Peter 2:22] When you understand that a Christian has their sins “washed away” [Acts 22:16; 1Cor 6:9-11] then this verse makes perfect sense. Do you suppose that a Christian that quits the faith, “turning to his own vomit” “a sow wallowing in the mire” is going to heaven? There are so many passages warning us to NEVER turn back. [Heb 6:4-6; 10:29; the Book of Galatians; Lu 9:62]

“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:” [Heb 12:25]

The Doctrine of Christ teaches us to perform a self-EXAMINATION as to whether we’re even in the faith. This self-EXAMINATION is to be done daily, and weekly in worship [1Cor 11:1; 2Cor 13:5]. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

When we recognize that there IS a Doctrine of Christ, it follows that it is to be kept & obeyed. “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” [Titus 2:7]. The doctrine also recognizes our weaknesses & failures. It gives instruction, hope, and assurance about that as well. [1Joh 1:5-10].

There is only one DOCTRINE of CHRIST and we are not to change it by adding to it or taking from it. [2John 9; Rev 22:18; De 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6]. Neither do we blend it with the Law of Moses. [Col 2:14]