Doctrine of the Importance

of Bible doctrine

  1. Preliminary considerations
    1. From the exegesis and study of Scripture we arrive at categories of doctrine which are taught throughout the Word of God.
    2. The importance of Bible doctrine is clearly taught and emphasized throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament (for example PSALM 119 is devoted largely to the importance of Bible doctrine).
    3. Since the completion of the canon of Scripture, God has chosen not to communicate to the human race, except through His Word; this means that there has been absolutely no extra-biblical revelation since 95/96 A.D when the canon was closed with the completion of Revelation.
    4. God's attitude concerning the importance of His written Word is expressed in the factual case of Lazarus and the rich man

(LUKE 16:19-31).

    1. People who are looking for a special sign or revelation are not going to get it; they have the written word.
    2. If they will not listen to the Word of God, they will not be persuaded by a sign, not even someone rising from the dead (compare MATTHEW 12:38,39; 16:1-4; LUKE 11:29,30).
    1. Logically, therefore, the Church Age believer must be able to understand and acclimate to God based only on His written Word.
    2. An understanding of Bible doctrine is imperative for the believer who hopes to understand the Plan of God and line up with the directive will of God.
    3. Under inspiration, the apostle John called our Lord Jesus Christ the Word (logoj logos; JOHN 1:1-14).
    4. So He is the living word of God who came in the flesh.
    5. Just as Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of the Father in bodily form, the canon of Scripture is the perfect revelation of God in written form.
    6. Failure to understand and acclimate to the importance of Bible doctrine, destines a believer for failure in the Christian way of life.
    7. The Doctrine of the Importance of Bible Doctrine is foundational to the Christian way of life; without it the believer will be deluded into following ministries that appeal to the lust grid of his old sin nature [the old man, the flesh](2 TIMOTHY 4:1-4).
    8. Absent Bible doctrine resident in a believer's soul, human spirit, and brain computer, he/she will become easy prey for the schemes and strategies of Satan (EPHESIANS 6:11-17 compare

2 CORINTHIANS 2:11).

    1. The importance of Bible doctrine can only be appreciated in light of the fact that all Scripture is inspired by God (literally, "God breathed"). This is also called the doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration (plenary = complete, absolute; verbal = every word) 2 TIMOTHY 3:16,17 "All Scripture is God breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be mature, equipped for every good work; 2 PETER 1:20,21).
    2. It is God's sovereign and directive will that all men come to a full knowledge (epignwsij epignosis = full knowledge) of the entire realm of doctrine (1 TIMOTHY 2:3,4).
    3. Bible Doctrine is correctly perceived only by positive volition under the grace apparatus for perception (GAP)

1 CORINTHIANS 2:10-16 compared to JAMES 1:5;

PROVERBS 8:17b "Those who diligently seek me will find me."

  1. Definition and Description:
    1. Bible Doctrine is the content of the canon of Scripture, contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, extracted by the grammatical historic hermeneutic through the gift of pastor-teacher, with emphasis on study, teaching, refutation of human viewpoint, rebuke, and exhortation.
    1. The command to study (2 TIMOTHY 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth").
    2. The charge to the pastor-teacher(2 TIMOTHY 4:2 "Proclaim the word; be ready in season and out of season; refute, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction").
    3. The Word of God is alive, and is a critic of the thoughts and intentions of the heart (HEBREWS 4:12 The Word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart).
    1. Bible doctrine is God's viewpoint on every subject (politics, government, economics, ethics, religion, alcohol, drugs, dancing, lying, business, spiritual growth, sex, marriage, the training and discipline of children, etc.)
    2. His viewpoint existed eternally with Him (PROVERBS 8:22-31).
    3. Bible Doctrine will continue to exist eternally, even after the dissolution of the present heaven and earth (MATTHEW 5:18; ISAIAH 40:8; 1 PETER 1:24,25).
    4. Bible doctrine (God's wisdom) contains no error or distortion whatsoever (PROVERBS 8:6-9).
    5. The supreme importance of Bible doctrine is seen in the fact that God has exalted His word above His very name (The Hebrew text of PSALM 138:2 "I will bow down before your holy temple, and give thanks to your name for your loyalty and your veracity; For you have magnified (HIPHIL PERFECT OF ld;G" gadal = to make great) Your word above (l[; al = above) Your name."
    1. God's name is absolutely holy (LEVITICUS 22:32; 1 CHRONICLES 16:10,29; EZEKIEL 36:20,21; 39:7,25;

LUKE 1:49).

    1. The fact that He has exalted His Word above His own name indicates the supreme importance that God places upon His Word.
      1. God is bound by His word.
      2. God's reputation is the carrying out of His word; His very righteousness depends upon His veracity, just as His veracity arises from His righteousness (PSALM 89:14; 111:7,8 compare EXODUS 34:6).
      3. The mature believer rejoices in God carrying out His Word.
  1. Bible doctrine is only understood by positive volition and then only under the system which God has established.
    1. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that the truth of His Word is only understood by those who are positive (JOHN 7:17 compared with JOHN 17:13-17).
    2. Individuals who are positive are called "seekers" since they are not satisfied until they learn the truth (ACTS 17:27; compared to PSALM 119:1-16; see also ACTS 17:10-12).
    3. Even the most positive believer will not arrive at the knowledge of the truth apart from the grace system which God has instituted.
    4. GAP stands for the grace apparatus for perception, which is the basis for understanding the Word of God.
    1. Internally this apparatus consists of:
      1. The indwelling Holy Spirit, Who under the condition of filling is the ultimate teacher of doctrine.
      2. The human spirit, which is used by God the Holy Spirit to override the OLD SIN NATURE (the flesh).
    1. The stages of GAP necessary for inculcation of Bible doctrine:
      1. The local church which is the environment which God has ordained for face to face teaching (HEBREWS 10:25).
      2. A properly trained pastor-teacher using the correct hermeneutic (ICE: Isagogics, Categories, Exegesis; compare 2 PETER 3:16; 2 TIMOTHY 2:2).
      3. A pastor-teacher committed to verse by verse teaching.
      4. A pastor-teacher who teaches via monologue to believers under enforced humility. The pastor is responsible for the decorum of the local church and is to see that good manners and poise are maintained (compare JAMES 1:21).
      5. Each believer is to be intellectually honest and give the information a fair hearing under the filling of God the Holy Spirit; this constitutes true humility (JAMES 1:19-21).
      6. This system requires self-discipline, concentration, and consistent attendance in Bible class (HEBREWS 10:25).
      7. Operation epignosis.
      8. Operation application.
    1. The idea that you can grow up spiritually by taking in Bible doctrine, but not applying it, is a myth (LUKE 11:27,28).
    2. The doctrine which you inhale will be tested to see if you will apply (exhale) (1 PETER 1:7).
    1. Bible doctrine is called the mind or thinking of Jesus Christ

(1 CORINTHIANS 2:16).

    1. The objective of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to reprogram the brain computer with the thinking of Christ

(1 CORINTHIANS 2:12,13; ROMANS 12:2; ISAIAH 55:6-11).

    1. This is accomplished only by the GAP system under the filling of God the Holy Spirit (EPHESIANS 5:17,18).
    2. The mind of Christ in the soul, human spirit, and brain computer constitutes the indwelling Christ (JOHN 15:4,7;

GALATIANS 4:19; EPHESIANS 3:14-19).

  1. The gathering of manna by the Jews in the desert illustrates the daily function of GAP (EXODUS 16 compare to DEUTERONOMY 8:16; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-4).
    1. Initially the Jews didn't know what the white coriander-like substance was, even though Moses had briefed them prior to their first encounter with it (EXODUS 16:6-8).
    2. Their response to it was "What is it?" which became it's permanent name. (Hebrew h; !m' MAN HU = what is it?).
    3. This humorously illustrates negative volition's response to a doctrinally oriented ministry. (What is it?)
    4. The Jews had to gather it before the sun melted it, showing there is a prescribed time and place to take in doctrine.
    5. They were to gather only what they could eat, or it would spoil, illustrating that you need a certain amount of doctrinal teaching. You then need time to digest the information, reflect, pray and make the appropriate applications.
    6. On Friday they were to gather a double portion; we do that on Sunday.
    7. The Exodus Generation complained about their diet for 40 years illustrating negative volition.
  1. The great believers of the Old Testament paid tribute to the importance of Bible doctrine:
    1. Job, the most prosperous man of his day understood this issue

(JOB 28).

    1. He contrasts mankind's effort to exploit earth's hidden resources with their neglect of doctrine (verses 1-13).
    2. He details the lengths to which men will go for something they perceive to be of value (verses 3,4; 9-11
    3. Physical wealth cannot procure Bible doctrine (verses 15-17).
    4. God alone is its source (verses 23-27).
    5. Positive volition (fear of the Lord) is the beginning of wisdom (verses 23-28).
    1. Moses in his parting address to Israel made it clear that attitude towards doctrine determined both national and personal blessing (DEUTERONOMY 28).
    1. Positive volition brings blessing (verses 1-14).
    2. Negative volition brings cursing (verses 15-68; DEUTERONOMY 11:26-28).
    3. Israel's ups and downs as a race is a history of their attitude towards Bible doctrine (DEUTERONOMY 30:1-10; 32:1-43).
    4. The issue simply stated (DEUTERONOMY 30:11-20;

32:44-47).

    1. Joshua, one of only two adults of the Exodus generation who made it to the land of promise, was given the importance of Bible doctrine (JOSHUA 1:1-7). Joshua personally embraced it and it was the subject of his parting address to Israel (JOSHUA 23:6-16;

24:25-28).

    1. David paid tribute to the importance of Bible doctrine

(PSALM 1:1-3; 19:7-11).

    1. The author of Psalm 119 details at length the excellencies of the written Word of God.
    1. It is the source of blessing (verses 1,2).
    2. It is the secret to victory over the OSN (verse 11).
    3. Rejection of Bible doctrine typifies those who are arrogant (verse 21).
    4. The Word of God produces occupation with Christ (verse 38).
    5. It is the source of true liberty (verse 45).
    6. It is the source of comfort (verses 49-52).
    7. It is a basis for separation from negative volition (verse 53).
    8. It provides discernment (verses 65,66).
    9. It is more valuable than gold and silver (verse 72).
    10. It is the basis for true confidence (verse 80).
    11. God's word is immutable (verse 89).
    12. It produces true wisdom (verses 98-100).
    13. It gives guidance and direction (verse 105).
    14. It is the source of inner peace (verse 165).
    15. It is the basis for true worship (verses 170-172).
    1. Solomon dealt with the importance of Bible doctrine (PROVERBS).
    1. Positive volition (fear of the Lord) is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10; 15:33).
    2. The prologue emphasizes spiritual growth (1:1-6).
    3. Bible doctrine is the source of all spiritual and physical blessing (3:1-26; 24:3,4).
    4. The sin unto death is the lot of all who reject sound doctrine (1:24-32).
    5. Positive volition prolongs life (3:1,2; 4:10).
    6. Those who are negative are called fools (1:7,22).
    7. A beautiful woman without Divine viewpoint is like a gold ring in a pig's nose (11:22).
    8. Parents are personally responsible to teach their children Bible doctrine to protect them from:
      1. A life of crime (1:8-19).
      2. The promiscuous woman (2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:23-35; 7:1-27).
    1. Solomon's conclusion (4:5-7 compared with ECCLESIASTES 12:13).
  1. Jesus Christ taught the importance of doctrine during His incarnation.
    1. He emphasized the importance of doctrine in His responses to Satan (MATTHEW 4:4,7,10).
    2. He taught this doctrine in the parable of the sower (MARK 4:1-20).
    1. The inculcation and understanding of this parable is foundational to understanding all parables (verse 13).
    2. This parable and its interpretation gives the correct approach to the interpretation of all parables. Each detail in a parable is important. Each detail corresponds to a spiritual truth or doctrinal observation. (This refutes the idea that just getting the big idea is the proper approach to parables).
    3. The sower is the communicator and the seed is Bible doctrine (verse 14).
    4. The four kinds of soil represent four kinds of volitional responses to Bible doctrine (the Word of God):
      1. The negative unbeliever that composes the bulk of humanity (verse 15).
      2. The believer who will not handle the pressure of opposition and rejection by friends, family or society (verses 16,17).
      3. The believer who flunks the living grace test or who, under the lust grid of the OSN, places the pursuit of the details and pleasures of life over the pursuit of Bible doctrine (verses 18,19).
      4. The believer who lets the pressure (worries) of life keep him from doctrine (verse 19).
      5. Positive believers who produce a harvest of SG3 (eternal reward (verse 20 compare HEBREWS 11:26).
      6. The majority of mankind falls under point a; the majority of believers under b,c, and d.
    1. The importance of Bible doctrine is taught in the parable of the vine and the branches (JOHN 15:1-8).
    2. Jesus stressed the doctrine of the importance of Bible doctrine in His discussion of what constitutes true love (JOHN 14:15,21-24).
    1. The believer's love for Christ is not related to his emotions but to the intake and application of doctrine (hear My words and do them).
    2. The pastor-teacher's love for Christ is determined by his commitment to the teaching of Bible doctrine (JOHN 21:15-17).
    1. The intake and application of doctrine is the link between salvation and spiritual maturity. It is the issue of Ph2 (this life).
    2. Sanctification (JOHN 8:31,32; 17:17).
    3. The Lord taught that the pastor-teacher was expected to be providing food for the other slaves in the household at His return (MATTHEW 24:45-51).
  1. The commands to the pastor-teacher to communicate the Word of God, make it quite clear what the thrust of the local church should be.
    1. The pastor-teacher is to communicate doctrine (1 TIMOTHY 4:13-16; 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-4; TITUS 1:9).
    2. He is to teach the entire realm of doctrine (ACTS 20:20,26,27).
    3. A careful study of Acts also reveals what the emphasis of the local church should be (ACTS 2:42; 6:1-7; 11:19-26; 14:21-23; 18:11 compared to I CORINTHIANS 4:17).
    4. The adjusted pastor prays for the doctrinal excellence of his congregation (ACTS 6:4; EPHESIANS 3:14-19).
    5. The adjusted pastor contends earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (JUDE 3).
    1. He is to deal with deviations from sound doctrine quickly and decisively (1 TIMOTHY 1:3,20; 4:1-6; TITUS 1:10-14; 3:9-11).
    2. He is to warn those under his charge to avoid those who do not hold to sound doctrine (ROMANS 16:17,18; 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-15).
    3. Failure to deal with false doctrine and misapplication will ultimately do in a ministry (1 CORINTHIANS 5:1-13).
    1. We live in the period of church history known as the Laodicean era.
    1. This period is characterized by an unprecedented attack on the truth and by defection from the faith (2 TIMOTHY 3:1-9; 4:3,4).
    2. The Lord says that the pure gold of Bible doctrine will be available even during this apostate age (REVELATION 3:18).
    3. This period is similar to the first generation of the church age in that doctrine is available in a very pure form for the few who desire it.
    4. James teaches this under the concept of the early and latter rains (JAMES 5:7).
    5. Failure to hold fast to sound doctrine can cause forfeiture of one's wreath (REVELATION 3:11).
    1. Faithful communication is the basis for the pastor's SG3 (ACTS 20:32; 2 TIMOTHY 4:7,8; 1 PETER 5:1-4).
  1. Various Scriptural analogies to Bible doctrine illustrate its supreme importance.
    1. Physical food (LUKE 4:4 where Jesus quotes a portion of DEUTERONOMY 8:3).
    2. Water (EPHESIANS 5:26).
    3. Light (PSALM 119:105,130).
    4. Precious metals and gems (PSALM 19:7-10 compared to PROVERBS 16:16)
  1. It must be recognized that there are systems of doctrine that are false and that are, therefore, antagonistic to the unity of the faith. (See Doctrine of Satanic Counterfeits)
    1. There is one correct form of doctrine; obviously there are many incorrect forms (ROMANS 6:17).
    2. These distortions are called darkness, evil and apostasy.
    3. They are classified as doctrines of demons (1 TIMOTHY 4:1).
    4. They are OSN distortions of the truth (JAMES 3:14,16).
    5. They are often propagated by men who have once embraced sound doctrine and then have repudiated the truth (1 TIMOTHY 4:1).
    6. The purpose of these "winds of doctrine" is to blow believers off course, causing spiritual shipwreck (EPHESIANS 4:14,15; 1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20).
    7. We live in the end times when most people will not endure sound doctrine (2 TIMOTHY 4:3,4).
    1. The straight and narrow of sound doctrine begins to bore certain believers, so they seek that which entertains, stirs the emotions, and is pleasant to the ears.
    2. They repudiate their right pastor-teacher and right local church and opt for a plurality of teachers via travel, books, tapes, television, videos, etc.
    3. These teachers are not sound in the faith but are chosen based on the OSN trends of those who are defecting from sound doctrine.
    4. The inevitable result is that these believers are adversely influenced by the "ear ticklers" and no longer desire to listen to a sound ministry.
    5. They opt for clever illustrations and stories (myths) which have no value in living the Christian way of life or making the maturity adjustment to the justice of God. (This is often caused by mental laziness, the failure to discipline one's self to the concentration that is required to assimilate sound doctrine.
  1. Pursuit of Bible doctrine by the positive believer results in great blessings, including:
    1. The Divine viewpoint of life (2 CORINTHIANS 10:5).
    2. Identification of OSN activity (ROMANS 7:7).
    3. Isolation of and victory over the OSN (PSALM 51:5,6; 119:11; ROMANS 6:12-18).
    4. Discernment (PROVERBS 2:5,9).
    5. Legitimate prosperity (PROVERBS 3:16-18; MARK 10:29-31).
    6. Confidence (HEBREWS 10:35; 2 TIMOTHY 1:7; PROVERBS 3:24-26).
    7. Inner happiness (PROVERBS 3:13-18; 1 JOHN 1:4).
    8. Inner peace (PSALM 119:165; PROVERBS 3:2,17; PHILIPPIANS 4:7).
    9. Divine guidance (ROMANS 12:2).
    10. Phase 2 deliverance (1 TIMOTHY 4:16 compared to PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13).
    11. True fellowship with God the Father and God the Son (JOHN 14:21).
    12. True capacity for life (JOB 1:22; 2:9,10).
    13. Eternal reward (1 CORINTHIANS 3:12-14; COLOSSIANS 1:3-5).
    14. PRINCIPLE: God is a rewarder of those who seek Him (HEBREWS 11:6
  1. The rapture generation is commanded to intensify its intake of Bible doctrine (HEBREWS 10:25).