Doctrine

NOW HEAR THIS, Rev. 2:15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

I have about had it, on a reckless roller coaster ride, on which the mainline (church?) denominations find themselves. Away with Scripture and Bible Doctrine. This is the doctrine of the Nicolatians; literally eating of idol-meats, committing fornication, spiritual idolatry to tempt God’s people to idolatry.

It was refreshing to hear the testimony of a Methodist staff member of a church in our area. “For 12 years we were a church that was seeker sensitive, I was a member of the praise team. For 12 years we neglected The people who supported the church with their money, who were faithful in every way to the Book of Order we put aside for those people for 12 years. Finally the 200 people who wanted no doctrine, no pastoral leadership, no Book of Order left and formed their own goup. We now have a solid group of Christian people, finally we have a safe community for the worship of God. Looking back (this staff member told me) the Seeker sensitive movement is a big mistake, to them most doctrine is considered old and not applicable to Christian living. This is simply untrue, Biblical Doctrine, Bible knowledge, and Bible living is necessary in the church today as it has always been" This completed the testimony of a staff member I spoke with of a Methodist body of believers in North East Michigan.

Below are some Verses of Scripture that demonstrate the necessity of Doctrine in the life of the believer.

Prov. 4:2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Is. 29:24 These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine.”

Jer. 10:8 But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.

Matt. 16:12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

John 7:16, 17 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 5:28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!

Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Rom. 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Eph. 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

1Tim. 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1Tim. 1:10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

1Tim. 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

1Tim. 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1Tim. 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1Tim. 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

1Tim. 6:1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.

1Tim. 6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

2Tim. 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

2John 1:9, 10 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;

Rev. 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Rev. 2:15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

I hear this remark often, “ just say it like it is, tell me the truth.” Scripture is Truth.

Here are lies, “there are several ways to God” “Scripture means different things to different people” Scripture is non-specific” “It depends on how we look at it”, “people deserve God’s love, not His justice” there are many more lies of Satan, he is no friend to anyone, he is a deceiver. Stay close to God by knowing Scripture and Doctrine, thus avoiding the crafty works of the enemy.

P/S The study of Bible Doctrine is a Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures.

Ken Clouse
5700ken@centuytel.net

Prayer for God’s Kingdom

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
Matthew 6:10

The Lord teaches us in this prayer to pray for several things. In this particular petition, he instructs us to pray that his kingdom comes. The phrase “the kingdom of God” has more than one referent. Many immediately think of the kingdom of God as the time when Christ will literally rule on earth for 1,000 years. To pray for God’s kingdom to come then means to pray that the end of time will come so that Christ will establish his rule on earth. Therefore, all will live obedience to God’s will. As Christians, we all long for this day when all that is wrong will be set right. We long for the day when all people will live in obedience to Christ. Pray that God’s kingdom will come.

However, this is not the only meaning of this phrase in Scripture. “The Kingdom of God” also refers to the realm of salvation or all saved persons. Consequently, Christ is also teaching us to pray that more persons will be saved. The result of their salvation will be that they submit to the Lordship of Christ. As a result, his faithful followers will do God’s will both on earth and heaven.

Spurgeon points out that this petition is prior to the petition for “our daily bread” suggesting that the prayer for God’s kingdom should be our priority. He warns us, “Do not let your prayers only concern your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, and your own trials. Climb the starry ladder and come to Christ Himself. Then as you draw near to the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, offer this prayer continually, ‘Lord, extend the Kingdom of Your dear Son’.”[1]

There are many petitions one could include under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom. The Westminster Larger Catechism suggets the following: “pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, … the church [will be] furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances … that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to… the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted: that Christ would rule in our hearts here, and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever…”[2]

We should not be so narrowly focused on God’s future kingdom that we overlook the present aspect of God’s kingdom when we pray. We should pray for the extending of the Kingdom through the preaching of the gospel, the strengthing of churches, and that Christ will rule in believers' hearts. May God grant our petition and cause his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pastor Jeremy Lee
Twining Baptist Church

[1] Spurgeon, Charles. Evening by Evening. (Whittaker House. 1984). Pg.95
[2] Westminster Larger Catechism available at http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html

Theology Quiz

Basic Theology Quiz (Answer True or False):

Questions About God and Christ

1 Jesus was God, but only appeared to be human.
2 Jesus was the first of all God’s created beings.
3 Jesus had a human body and divine soul.
4 In the Old Testament, God was known as the Father, in the New Testament, as the Son, and after Pentecost, as the Holy Spirit.
5 Mary is the mother of God.
6 God chooses people because he knows in advance they will choose him.

Questions About Salvation

1 The only way we can be saved is by the perfect conformity to the law of God.
2 We are saved by grace after all that we can do.
3 I am saved because of my decision to accept Christ.
4 God is so sovereign, he can change his mind.
5 The Bible teaches that there is an age of accountability, and that children who die before this age go to heaven because they are innocent.
6 If I die with unconfessed sin, I will not go to heaven.
7 The main motivation for holiness is fear of punishment and hope of reward.
8 God cannot hold someone guilty for the sins of another.
9 Justification is the process by which a person, through faith in Christ and sorrow for his sins, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and so becomes a child of God.
10 God cannot require of us anything which cannot be performed.
11 True Christians believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible.
12 God helps those who help themselves is a biblically sound principle.
13 Though no one is perfect, the Lord looks on the heart to see who really loves him.

the answers will be provided upon request, do the comment thing.

Ken Clouse