The Importance of Good Doctrine
A Doctrine is a set of teachings on what the Church (Christians) believes and confesses. Unfortunately, the times we are in call for discernment of what good doctrine is. So many people have been misled by false doctrines that have no place in God's plan of salvation. It is no wonder in Acts 19:1-7, the Apostle Paul, upon arriving in Ephesus, does not waste time in checking with the new Christian believers what kind of teachings they had received. Paul immediately discovered that the new Christian believers needed some good Christian teaching (doctrine) about repentance, baptism, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.Paul made it clear to the new Christian believers that the baptism that John the Baptist administered was a sign of repentance from sin only, not a sign of a new life (salvation) in Christ. These new Christian believers needed further instruction (teaching) on the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. They believed in Jesus as the Messiah, but they did not understand the significance of his death and resurrection or the work of the Holy Spirit.
Good doctrine declares that becoming a Christian involves turning from sin (repentance) and turning to Christ (faith). The Ephesian new believers were incomplete in understanding of the teachings of the Christian faith.
The challenge we have today is to help young believers in Christ, and mature Christians, likewise, learn about the good teachings (doctrine) of the Christian faith. Once we are rooted in good doctrine of the Church, there is no way that we can easily stumble in our Christian walk. It is important that in our discipleship and outreach (Evangelism and Mission) initiatives, we as Christians should emphasize the basic teachings of the Christian faith. By doing that, we will be assured that the Christian believers are firmly rooted in the truth of the gospel.
Paul gave this solemn charge to Timothy on the importance of good doctrine "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers". We must watch what we believe (doctrine) closely. Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into heresy (false teachings). We should persevere in both -- how we live and what we believe. Good doctrine is what helps us to grow in faith, love and hope.
| While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. (Acts19:1-7) |
Amon Kasambala, husband to Tiba, Father to Eddie & Victor.
