The Doctrine of Christ

Articles

Derek Long
09/08/19 - Understanding The Bible

The Doctrine of Christ By Derek Long
2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” These verses teach us the condition of a person who goes outside of, beyond, or does not abide in the doctrine of Christ. When a person steps outside of the doctrine of Christ in those things he teaches, believes, or practices, he is no longer in fellowship with God. A person whose teaching, beliefs, and practices are in harmony with the doctrine of Christ has fellowship with the Father and the Son.
It is important we make sure our teaching, beliefs, and practices are in harmony with the doctrine of Christ. Verses 10-11 teach us we are not to encourage, enable, endorse, or extend fellowship to one who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ. A question sometimes asked about this passage of Scripture is “What is included in the doctrine of Christ?” Does the doctrine of Christ simply include what one teaches about Jesus or does it include everything Jesus taught personally and through His apostles? Let’s examine what the doctrine of Christ includes! The phrase “doctrine of” is used throughout Scripture and normally carries the meaning of the teaching given by rather than simply teaching about a particular person or group of people. Matthew 16:6 records Jesus warning, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:12 tells us Jesus was taking about “the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Jesus was not warning against teaching about the Pharisees and Sadducees. Rather, Jesus was warning about the teaching done by the Pharisees and Sadducees. Acts 2:42 speaks about the early disciples continuing steadfastly “in the apostles’ doctrine.” The doctrine of the apostles was not teaching about the apostles but was rather what the apostles were teaching. 1 Timothy 4:1 warns about people falling away by giving heed to “doctrines of demons.” Doctrines of demons is not meaning teaching about demons but rather refers to teaching which originates with demons. Revelation 2:14 speaks of the church at Pergamos having those “who hold the doctrine of Balaam.” Was Jesus rebuking them for having people who taught about Balaam? No! Jesus was rebuking them for having people who taught the same type of message as Balaam taught as the rest of verse 14 points out. Revelation 2:15 again rebukes the church at Pergamos for having, “those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” Jesus was not rebuking them for teaching about the Nicolaitans but rather for holding to a doctrine taught by these people. These examples should help us see the danger of applying the phrase “the doctrine of Christ” simply to teaching about who Jesus is.
Jesus made it plain a person who rejects what He taught equally rejects Him and will be judged on the basis of what
Jesus said on the last day (John 12:48). Jesus expects His disciples to “observe all things that I have commanded
you” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus did not think people would be fine if they just were right on a few things He taught but they were required to observe “all things” Jesus commanded them.
Other passages make it plain we cannot accept those who teach things contrary to anything Jesus or His inspired teachers taught (Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:4-5, 11-14; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:16-18). Jesus’ desire is for His followers to be perfectly united just as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-23). If we believe people can teach different things and still be acceptable to God, we believe people can go against the desire of Jesus and be acceptable to God. 1 Timothy 1:3 says, “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia - remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” God expects people everywhere to be teaching the same doctrine not only on who Jesus is but on everything relating to His word. Let’s study God’s word, hold fast to it, and earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3)!