The Bible describes that there are various types of doctrines. These types of doctrines can be classified into the following three major classes according to the source of the doctrine.
1. The Doctrine from God
The doctrine described in the Bible is the true doctrine. It has its origin from God. It is written in the Word of God and accepted by the universal Church of God. This doctrine is called as sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1), pure doctrine (Job 11:4) and the doctrine according to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3). The Bible gives the following three names for this doctrine.
a. The doctrine of God
The doctrine of God is the good doctrine given by God in the Scriptures (Prov. 4:2). This is revealed by God (Eph. 3:1-7). This doctrine of God is the teaching like rain (Deut. 32.2) and believers levers are called to which comes down from heaven adorn this doctrine (Titus 2:10)
b. The doctrine of Christ
The teaching of Jesus Christ in the Bible is called as the doctrine of Christ (Mark 1:27) Be Believers are called to abide in this doctrine and they are exhorted not to receive anyone who does not bring this Christ taught that the doctrine He taught was from God and His doctrine and God’s doctrine were the same (John 7:16, 17). His doctrine is what He taught to this doctrine of Christ (2 John 9, 10). Jesus the people directly (Matt. 7:28; 22:33; Mark 12:38) and in parables (Mark, 42) People were astonished at His doctrine (Mark 1:27)
c. The doctrine of the apostles
The doctrine preached by the apostles was called as the apostles’ doctrine. The apostles of Jesus Christ preached the doctrine, which was revealed to them. The first new converts continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). The Bible says that the apostles filled Jerusalem with this doctrine (Acts 5:28) and the people were interested in hearing this ‘new doctrine (Acts 17:19). The teaching of apostles doctrine produced and belief (Acts 13:12) and it is the doctrine delivered to the saints ‘once for all’ (Jude 3).
The content of the apostles’ doctrine is the Gospel that Paul preached to the believers by which they can be saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4). A summary of the apostles doctrine is given in Hebrews 6:1, 2. They are called as the ‘elementary principles of Christ’ and contain seven doctrines. They start from the doctrine of repentance and end with the doctrine of perfection.
2. The Doctrine of Men
The Bible teaches extensively about the doctrines taught by men and humen believers to be careful about them. The doctrine of men can be from false apostles (2 Cor. 11:1-15), false prophets (Matt. 7:15-23), false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3) and believers who will rise up from the church and speak ‘perverse things’ drawing disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29, 30).
Jesus Christ said that these people will teach the ‘commandments of men’ as doctrines and will replace the ‘commandment of God with the ‘tradition of men (Mark 7:7-13). They will cheat believers ‘through philosophy and empty deceit and their teaching is ‘according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ’ (Col. 2:8). We must be careful to avoid these doctrines of men. These false doctrines can uproot the faith of believers like a stormy wind (Eph. 4:14). Here are a few doctrines of men about which a believer must beware of and be watchful.
a. The doctrine of Pharisees and Sadducees
Jesus Christ taught to His disciples that they should, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). The Sadducees also had their own doctrine. They believed that there is no resurrection, angels or spirit (Acts 23:8).
b. The doctrine of some wicked people
In the book of Revelation, there were certain doctrines which the Lord condemned. They are the doctrine of Balaam (Rev 2:14), the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6, 15) and the doctrine of Jezebel (Rev. 220-24).
c. The doctrine of false teachers
The false teachers deny ‘the Lord who bought them (2’peter 2:1) and turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the Lord (Jude 4). They pervert the grace (Gal. 1:6-8) and resist the truth (2 Tim. 3:8). They are destitute of the truths (1 Tim. 6:3-5), money lovers (Luke 16:14), unstable (1 Tim. 1:6, 7), deceitful (Eph 4:14), lustful (2 Peter 2:12-19) and bound by traditions (Matt. 15:9).
The Bible warns us to avoid false teachers who will not endure sound doctrine. They do not preach the truth. They teach fables to please believers (2 Tim. 43-5) They speak “perverse things’ drawing people away after themselves and not to Christ (Acts 20:30). It is pitiable that some prosperity preachers are being deceived by the devil. They teach false doctrines like these false teachers.
d. The doctrine of false prophets
Like the false teachers, there are many false prophets in the Church today. The surprising fact about the false prophets is that they have their own doctrine and pretend to be true (Matt. 7:22-23). They teach corruption (2 Peter 2:10-22). The Bible says that the false teachers will be present in the last days (Matt. 24:3,11).
3. The Doctrine of Devils
The Bible also speaks about the doctrine of devils which will be taught in the latter days. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim.4:1). The heresies and the ‘twisting of the truth’ arise among men because of the influence of demons and through men who are deceived by the devil. They deny the truth and pervert the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:14-16). So they will receive
eternal punishment for perverting the truth (Rev. 22:18,19). 4. Responses to Doctrine of Men and Doctrine of Devils
The Bible says that false teaching is Satanic (2 Cor. 11:13-15). So we are exhorted to respond to them very carefully in the following ways.
a. Do not receive them
The Bible clearly teaches us that we should not receive false teachers into our house or greet them. This seems to be a harsh warning. But we must heed this clear warning, because false teachers do not have God and they do not obey the doctrines of God. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God… If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him” (2 John 9, 10).
b. Do not be carried away by them
The doctrines of men and the devil are deceitful and harmful to our spiritual life. They have the power to carry away believers from sound doctrine. Hence they must be tested and avoided to prevent them from carrying us away from the truth. “Do not be carried about (away) with various and strange doctrines” (Hebrew 13:9).
c. Beware of false prophets and teachers The false teachers are very harmful and can cheat us if we are careless. So we
