Christian doctrines are like the foundation of a building. The foundation must be very strong and laid on solid rock for stability of the building. In the same manner, Christianity will become very strong, churches will grow and believers will be very faithful when their doctrine is sound and strong. The doctrine of the church also must be founded on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and on the Word of God. Careful study of the Scriptures reveals the following two facts about doctrine.
First, doctrine refers to the content of the teaching. In this context it refers to the subject matter of teaching (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
Second, it refers to the preaching or teaching of the truths of God to the people. The doctrine which is taught must be followed by all believers (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 2:1). True doctrine is from God and it strengthens and helps them to grow in the Lord when it is taught to them.
Many Christians are involved in teaching Christian doctrines without knowing the important nature of doctrines. The knowledge of the nature of doctrines enables us to know their roles in Christian life and handle them very carefully. Here are a few natures of the Christian doctrines.
1. The Doctrine is Sound
The Bible talks about ‘sound doctrine that must be taught to people (Titus 19, 2:1). Sound doctrine means healthy or wholesome teaching of the truths of God. Sound doctrine prevents believers from going astray and helps them to become mature in the Lord (1 Tim. 4:6).
2. The Doctrine is Pure
The doctrine of the Bible produces changes in the lives of the heathens (1 Cor. 15:1-5), and it is wholesome words (1 Tim. 6:3). It is also called as the ‘faithful word’ (Titus 1:9). When compared to the doctrine of other religions, the Christian doctrines are pure, which is seen in the changed lives of those who obey the doctrines.
3. The Doctrine is Scriptural
The doctrine is Scriptural. The Bible says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine” (2 Tim. 3:16). This is evident from the outcome that is evident when the Scriptural doctrines are taught. For it makes a man ‘complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work’ (2 Tim. 3:17).
4. The Doctrine is Powerful
Since Christian doctrine is Scriptural, it has the power of the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). When the doctrine is preached from the Word of God, it will not, “return’ to God void, but ‘shall accomplish’ what He pleases and ‘shall prosper in the thing’ for which it is sent (Is. 55:11).
5. The Doctrine is Authoritative
Bruce Milne wrote that over the centuries Christians have appealed to a variety of voices like the creeds, the historic confession of the church, the mind of the church, the Christian experience, the Christian reason and the ‘inner voice in man as the sources of final authority for doctrines. Further he wrote,
None of these is adequate to bring us God’s mind and hence be the authoritative source of Christian truth, but each makes a contribution. The creeds, confessions and the mind of the church stress our place in the worldwide, centuries old church of Jesus Christ, we would obviously be wise to weigh its testimonies with care. Christian experience reminds us that doctrine is never merely intellectual, while Christian reason insists we state our doctrines in accordance with our creaturely (normal) ways of communicating. The ultimate source of authority, however, is the triune God Himself, as He is made known to us through the words of the Bible (Milne 1986:16, 17).
God gave the Christian doctrine by revelation through the Word of God. God’s Word which contains the doctrine is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16), and written by men of God who were ‘moved by the Holy Spirit’ (2 Peter 1:21). So the authority of the Christian doctrine comes from God and from the revealed Word of God. When we hear the doctrines and obey them, our life is transformed and renewed. This fact confirms that the authority for the doctrines is from God and from the Word of God.
