| How Much Doctrine?, Part 4 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, January 25 2010 00:00 |
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As we continue to answer the question of to what extent and how much is knowledge of doctrine necessary for our final salvation, we now turn to the matter of the Christian’s responsibility toward knowing sound doctrine. In the earliest account of the church we find that the first activity listed for these Christians was their continuance steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). They were a learning church. But they did so because they were Christians, and not to become Christians. There are commandments throughout Scripture pointing us to the knowledge of doctrine: “be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17), “grow in grace and knowledge” (2 Pet. 3:18), “add to our faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge…” (2 Pet. 1:5), deacons must “keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9). Perhaps one of the strongest statements in the New Testament is the rebuke of the Hebrew Christians for their failure to grow in knowledge (Heb. 5:11-14). See also Prov. 1:22, 1:29, 8:16, 18:15, 23:12. And, of course, there is always that chilling statement of God: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). The only source of sound doctrine for us is the Bible. The apostles’ teaching is contained in their inspired words as recorded in the pages of Holy Scripture. It is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to grow in his understanding of the Bible. It is the duty and responsibility of every true church of Jesus Christ to provide sound teaching of the Word. The emphasis on doctrine should be primary in every church and in every home. As there is no end to learning and understanding truth, the study of the Word of God is a life-long process. The spirit of God will continually open to us new vistas of understanding, and what is a duty and responsibility becomes at once an exciting, thrilling, and rewarding journey. Reaching new depths of understanding is certainly one of the great joys of being a Christian. It is the goal for which Paul fervently prayed in Eph. 3:18, that the saints would grasp the dimensions of the love of Christ. There are Christians who have no understanding of such important Biblical doctrines as the sovereignty of God, the Trinity, the inerrancy of Scripture, election, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification, the atonement, assurance, the kingdom, even faith. And many more could be listed. Many have no intention of applying themselves to learning. Shame on them! Shame on all of us for not being zealous in the pursuit of knowledge! This is not an optional matter, and we shall be held to account for laziness and lack of diligence in growth of knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge of sound doctrine, though complete knowledge and understanding is far beyond any of us, is a necessary part of our sanctification, and sanctification is a necessary part of our eventual salvation. Because sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit with whom we cooperate, the Spirit will lead us in this endeavor, as in all our Christian life (Rom. 8:14). But let us not grieve the Spirit by refusing to go where He would lead us! (Eph.4:30). |
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