Practical Issues
Sound Doctrine
The Whole Counsel of God
Person of Jesus
In NT - 1 Timothy
In NT - Ephesians
In NT - 2 Timothy
Diverse Doctrines
Things Becoming Sound Doctrine
Sound Doctrine
by Graham Jones - The Church at Gun Hill"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2 v 42.
Things Suitable for Sound Doctrine
Turn now to Titus chapter 2 v 1, which is the fourth of our texts which refer to sound doctrine: "Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine..."These are the things which are fitting or suitable for sound doctrine: they tower up in association with sound doctrine. "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned;......not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." (vv 7-10)
These qualities accompany sound doctrine. Sound doctrine deals with present problems in our life. It deals with future problems, so that when people will not endure sound doctrine, we, on the contrary, will be on a firm foundation. It will put down opposing, gainsaying doctrine. But it will also produce in us a wonderful and glorious fruit that is glorifying to Jesus, the things that accompany, or the things that become, sound doctrine. We will have lives that are beautiful and glorifying to God. "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." (v 12)
All Scripture and the Holy Spirit
Now the Bible tells us that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine - II Timothy 3 v 16 - and Romans 15 v 4, referring to Old Testament Scripture advises in the context of doctrine: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."It is true also that the Holy Spirit teaches us; as we know the Word, the Holy Spirit teaches us. Then in I Corinthians chapter 14 and Romans chapter 12 it speaks about doctrine as being given by the Holy Spirit. He that waits upon teaching, according to Romans, should wait upon doctrine - that is waiting upon the Holy Spirit. This sound doctrine is Holy Spirit-given. And it tells us in I Timothy 6 v 3 that it is according to godliness. Do we want to live godly lives? Yes, of course we do. It is by knowing sound doctrine that we can live godly lives.
The Apostles' Doctrine
This now brings us to the apostles' doctrine. We must know what this doctrine is: it is Jesus. If you go through the Acts of the Apostles, you will find that Peter preached at least five times: that is in chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10. What does he say? Basically it is the same message. Jesus was a wonderful man, the Man, approved of God, anointed by God, did miracles, lived the perfect life; he died on the cross, slain by wicked men, but all as part of God's eternal purpose. Nevertheless, God raised Him from the dead, because it was not possible that death could hold Him; this was in accordance with the Scriptures. He has now been exalted to the right hand of God; He is both Lord and Christ. He has poured forth what can now be seen and heard, the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the message for people today: "Repent and be baptised; repent and believe; repent and be converted, and you shall receive forgiveness of sins; you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Each message has the same pattern. It is about the Lord Jesus Christ, Who He is, what His work is: it is presenting Him. It proclaims the message of salvation and the necessity to repent and believe. If you look at what Paul had to say, lo and behold, in Acts chapter 13, Paul spoke of the same things. Now each time Peter spoke about Jesus' resurrection he declared, "We were witnesses of it." When Paul spoke of these things he said, "..and they were witnesses of it." It was according to the Scriptures. In the epistles of Paul you will find the same teachings. This was the apostles' doctrine.And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine. They knew that and knew also that wonderful transformation of life, this wonderful power of living. When John wrote his epistle he began, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life ......that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" I John 1 v 1-3 Who is he speaking about? Well he is, of course, declaring the Lord Jesus. Jesus is central.
Ministry Gifts
Then, in Ephesians 4 v 11 - 15, we learn that the ascended Lord Jesus has given gifts to the church, including teachers, "...for the perfecting of the saints, unto (for) the work of the ministry, unto (for) the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men...."
Thus we cease to be like little children, no longer being tossed first one way and then the other because we cannot make out what we should believe. We are firmly grounded on sound doctrine, the apostles' doctrine. Everything else flows from it. There is no need to get over-worried about tithing, the Lord's Day, women's ministry, fellowship, breaking of bread, fasting, ministry, evangelism, overcoming, worship, guidance, gifts of the Holy Spirit - all those issues we shall be studying. It is all catered for in the sound doctrine concerning Jesus. And it says concerning Jesus and those that listened to Him that they were astonished at His doctrine. If we listen to the Lord Jesus, we too will be astonished at His doctrine, for He teaches as one with authority and power. He gives life.
Now you may say, "You're doing a lot of teaching this evening and yet you have been emphasising the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that teaches." Yes, the Holy Spirit is our teacher. John's epistle makes it clear that the anointing which you have received of Him abides, and you need not that any man teach you. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Word of God. But remember that the Lord has given teaching gifts to the church. Those gifts are Spirit-filled men and the Holy Spirit can take these words, words which expound scripture, and apply them to our hearts. He will teach you what is right and warn you of error. You will have the witness within. Jesus Himself said, in John 7 v 16, when the Jews marvelled at Him:
"My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself."
That applies today too. If you will do His will, you will know the doctrine whether it be of God. The Holy Spirit will teach you. The words that I am speaking; the words that you read in the Bible; the Holy Spirit will bear witness. The Holy Spirit gives life. So, brothers and sisters, sound doctrine is very important if you want to get on in the Christian life. Paul did not leave Christians until they had sound doctrine, until He had declared the full counsel of God.
Desire the sincere, the undeceitful, milk of the word that you may grow thereby.
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