The Prophets' and Apostles' Doctrine
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I have heard Christian brothers and sisters make such foolish statements as "Well, I just don't believe in doctrine. Just give me the simple message of Christ and Him Crucified." That message is important and should be preached to the lost. We that are born-again by the Spirit of the Living God also need to be reminded what Christ's Birth, Life, Death, Burial, Resurrection, Ascension and Second Coming should mean to us. If you think you have no doctrines, guess again.
IF YOU BELIEVE: In a secret rapture: that is your Doctrine! In a future tribulation: that is your Doctrine! In a future Anti-Christ: that is your Doctrine! If you are Trinitarian: that is your Doctrine! If you believe you can be lost once saved: that is your Doctrine! If you believe in the security of the Believer: that is your Doctrine! If you believe you go straight to Heaven when you die: that is your Doctrine!
So, whatever you believe (studying on your own or having been taught by teachers and preachers) these are your Doctrines. You may have the mindset of "well I've believed this all my life and I'm not going to change now." If that is your thinking, then shame on you, for then the Holy Spirit will not be able to show you anything new.
The word `doctrine' is mentioned 56 times in the Bible, fifty of those times in the New Testament. In your Strong's Concordance it is found under 1319-1322 and once under 3056. Do yourself a favor, look up the word 'doctrine' and follow the references that are given. I ask you, in Jesus name, to read the 11 verses listed below warning believers to be wary of untruths, keeping them in context as you read them. If you do this, you will usually discover the false doctrine that was being taught, who was teaching it, and why.
Ephesus. 4:14 … tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
2 Tim. 4:3 … when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Col. 2:22 … after the commandments and doctrines of men? 1 Tim. 4:1 … giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, … 2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,…
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren… 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, … [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; …[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:… 1 John 4:1 … because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
As you see the Apostles were having problems in their day with false teachers, "There were some teaching and preaching that there was no resurrection of the dead". In 1Cor. 15:12-19 Paul absolutely refutes this teaching. Then verses 20-58 give us details about how the resurrection will take place. Paul again writing to Timothy in his second letter warns his spiritual son in Christ to be aware of two men, named Hymenaeus and Philetus , that were teaching that the resurrection had already taken place. Understand that Paul's two letters to Timothy were written in 64 and 67 A.D. Paul had written his first letter to the Thessalonians in 51 A.D. while at the City of Corinth.
Sixteen years prior to his second letter to Timothy in chapter 4:13-18, Paul goes into great detail in describing the resurrection. Paul's first letter to the Corinthian Church was written in 56 A.D., eleven years prior to his second letter to Timothy. I said all that to say this, it is my understanding that the early churches were continuously having to refute false doctrines or perverted truths. The writers of the New Testament, Luke, Paul, James, Peter and John wrote these corrections and sent them out to the various Churches. The different Churches then made copies and sent them to other Churches. In this manner they did what they could to keep the truth from error.
2 John 1:6-11 (KJV) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. [7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. [9] 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. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Deception is a subtle thing. All of mankind has been subject to being deceived at one time or another in their lifetime. People deceive one another for many reasons. Sometimes, the deception is what we consider minor and we think causes little harm.
We find in the verses above, a strong warning about untruths already being taught by those that profess to be followers of Christ. Unfortunately we do not have the Apostles alive today to counter the untruths that are being taught to Christians today. We only have the written word, inspired by God, in the form of the Bible but that Word is subject to the interpretation of man. Only through the diligent and prayerful study of this Word, can we begin to get a glimmer of God's truth.
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About the Book
Here are 8 bible study topics presented in plain and simple language without any need to have a degree in theology to understand. Plenty of scriptures are included within the text of the study so that all you need is this handy book to study God's word anytime, anywhere. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS BOOK 1. Scattered And Divided - An explanation of how the world was populated and where the different races originated? 2. God's Plan Is Eternal - God's sovereignty over all of His creation. Plus an explanation of God's salvation plan. 3. Spiritual Seed/Kingdom - God places more emphasis on the spiritual than the physical. 4. The Ram That Became The Lamb - An examination of the nature and character of God. 5. Baptized In The Lord - Baptism explained, the physical and spiritual applications. 6. Our Blessed Hope - Death and resurrection explained. 7. Secret Rapture - The Second Coming of the Lord and surrounding events. 8. To Be Like Him - An examination of Christian life in comparison to the life and teachings of Jesus. This book covers only a few of the doctrines presented by the Prophets and Apostles to the early Christian Church. Church leaders today have neglected to teach some of these doctrines and untruths have crept into others. When you throw out those unsubstantiated truths you end up with what the prophets and apostles taught.
About the Author
George Woodrow (Woody) Alexander has been studying God's Word for over 35 years. Even though he has no college degree and has attended no formal college his diligent pursuit of insight into the scriptures has resulted in a plain spoken and common sense approach to bible study. This book contains a few of the topics he feels should be addressed today. Since he, himself struggles with reading comprehension he presents each topic as simply and plainly as possible. In 1973 when he first felt the calling from God to preach he asked God to assist him in understanding scripture. Gradually understanding came but he noticed a strange phenomenon. His comprehension did not include any secular materials, only when he needed that information as it pertained to his Bible studies. This restriction continues to this day. Early in his studies he was advised to not just accept what he heard from preachers, teachers or other scholars but to verify this information for himself. Since he has always been a "rebellious child" this instruction was compatible with his character. One of the foremost cautions he gives is "Don't' take my word for it. Look it up yourself. Check me out." During his pursuit for knowledge of God's Word Woodrow and his wife, Carol, have started or been pastor of several churches and/or missions. Both retired now, he is finally compiling his studies and sermons into book form. He has another book almost finished and is working on a third. Woodrow can be contacted by e.mail at