Doctrine as a god - bow down before the one you serve...

[St. SteVen]

While the Bible does not list doctrines by number, it clearly presents multiple key teachings or doctrines that form the foundation of the Christian faith. These include the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, human nature, salvation, the Church, Scripture, and the end times. Each of these areas includes numerous sub-doctrines that are derived from Scripture and are essential for understanding the message of the Bible and Christian theology.

Great post, thanks.

I agree that doctrine is important.
But I caution that it makes a poor god and that not everyone agrees on their doctrine.
Putting doctrine on a pedestal leads to division not unity.

A religious cult is easy to identify. They attend the church across the street from yours.
And they feel the same way about you. Where does that get us?

[

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Doctrine is VERY important.

. The Doctrine of God (Theology Proper)
Monotheism: God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6).
Trinity: God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Attributes of God: His nature is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, holy, loving, etc. (Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 46:9-10, 1 John 4:8).

2. The Doctrine of Christ (Christology)
Incarnation: Jesus is both fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-7).
Atonement: Jesus’ death on the cross was for the salvation of humanity (Romans 3:24-25, 1 Peter 3:18).
Resurrection: Christ rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Luke 24:6-7).
Second Coming: Jesus will return (Acts 1:11, Revelation 22:12).

3. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
Personhood of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force (John 14:26, Romans 8:26).
Work of the Spirit: He convicts, regenerates, indwells, empowers, and sanctifies believers (John 16:8-11, Titus 3:5, Romans 8:9).

4. The Doctrine of Man (Anthropology)
Creation: Humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
Sin: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, Genesis 3).
Salvation: People are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

5. The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)
Justification: By faith, believers are declared righteous (Romans 5:1, Galatians 2:16).
Regeneration: The new birth through the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5, Titus 3:5).
Sanctification: The ongoing process of becoming more Christlike (1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 10:14).
Glorification: The final redemption of believers’ bodies (Romans 8:30, Philippians 3:21).

6. The Doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology)
Body of Christ: The Church is the body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:22-23).
Mission: The Church is called to spread the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8).
Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are observed by believers (Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

7. The Doctrine of the Scriptures (Bibliology)
Inspiration: The Bible is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Inerrancy: Scripture is without error in its original manuscripts (Psalm 19:7, John 17:17).
Authority: The Bible is the final authority in matters of faith and practice (Isaiah 40:8, Hebrews 4:12).

8. The Doctrine of Last Things (Eschatology)
Second Coming: Jesus will return in glory (Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30).
Resurrection of the Dead: Both the righteous and the wicked will be raised (John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Judgment: There will be a final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:11-15).
Eternal Life and Eternal Punishment: Believers will inherit eternal life, and the wicked eternal punishment (John 3:16, Matthew 25:46).

While the Bible does not list doctrines by number, it clearly presents multiple key teachings or doctrines that form the foundation of the Christian faith. These include the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, human nature, salvation, the Church, Scripture, and the end times. Each of these areas includes numerous sub-doctrines that are derived from Scripture and are essential for understanding the message of the Bible and Christian theology.

J.

Amen and amen!!

 

[Ritajanice]

Divine revelation.

• Hebrews 1:1-8
  God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say:
  “ You are My Son,
  Today I have begotten You”? And again:
  “ I will be to Him a Father,
  And He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
  ' Let all the angels of God worship Him.' And of the angels He says:
  “ Who makes His angels spirits
  And His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says:
  “ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
  A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
  
  
• Hebrews 2:1-4
  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
  
• Daniel 2:21-22
  And He changes the times and the seasons;
  He removes kings and raises up kings;
  He gives wisdom to the wise
  And knowledge to those who have understanding.
  He reveals deep and secret things;
  He knows what is in the darkness,
  And light dwells with Him.
  
  
• Amos 3:7
  Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,
  Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
  
  
• Matthew 13:10-14
  And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
  " Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
  And seeing you will see and not perceive;
  
  
• Romans 1:17
  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
  
• Proverbs 2:6
  For the LORD gives wisdom;
  From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
  
  
• Proverbs 2:8-12
  He guards the paths of justice,
  And preserves the way of His saints.
  Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
  Equity and every good path.
  When wisdom enters your heart,
  And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
  Discretion will preserve you;
  Understanding will keep you,
  To deliver you from the way of evil,
  From the man who speaks perverse things,
  
  
• Matthew 4:4
  But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.""
  
• Matthew 13:16
  But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
  
• Luke 12:47-48
  And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
  
• Romans 11:7-8
  What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written:
  'God has given them a spirit of stupor,
  Eyes that they should not see
  And ears that they should not hear,
  To this very day.'
  
• 1 Corinthians 1:18
  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  
• 1 Corinthians 14:6
  But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
  
• 2 Timothy 3:14
  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
  
• 2 Peter 1:21
  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
  
• 1 John 3:2
  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
  
• Jude 1:3
  Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
  
• Psalm 19:1
  The heavens declare the glory of God;
  And the firmament shows His handiwork.
  
  
• John 8:32
  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
  
• John 16:13
  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
  
• Acts 26:16
  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
  
  
• Ephesians 3:2-5
  if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
  
• Hebrews 11:3
  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
  
• Hebrews 11:7
  By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith

 

[Ronald Nolette]

If that was true, there would be no contradictory doctrines. Right?

[

Well now you are geting into sinful man and the vagaries of human rationality. there are issues in Scripture that can have more than one "doctrine" but for ther most part, the bible is clear and simple. It is the sin nature that causes people to find subtle ways to reinterpret Scripture and thus alter Gods doctrine for man to live righteously.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
If that was true, there would be no contradictory doctrines. Right?

Well now you are geting into sinful man and the vagaries of human rationality. there are issues in Scripture that can have more than one "doctrine" but for ther most part, the bible is clear and simple. It is the sin nature that causes people to find subtle ways to reinterpret Scripture and thus alter Gods doctrine for man to live righteously.

How many demon-nations are there?

How do you know that yours isn't one of them?

Who decides which interpretation is the right one?

Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?

This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...

www.christianityboard.com

[

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

St. SteVen said:
If that was true, there would be no contradictory doctrines. Right?

How many demon-nations are there?

How do you know that yours isn't one of them?

Who decides which interpretation is the right one?

Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?

This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...

www.christianityboard.com

[

All nations are affected by the sinful rebellion of humans and by Satan. The Bible itself has to be the final judge of interpretations, because the meanings of words and the contexts of passages determine their meanings. After all, it's God's inspired Word.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
How many demon-nations are there?

All nations are affected by the sinful rebellion of humans and by Satan. The Bible itself has to be the final judge of interpretations, because the meanings of words and the contexts of passages determine their meanings. After all, it's God's inspired Word.

Wow.
Perhaps you didn't catch my sarcasm.
I wrote "demon-nations", meaning denominations. Get it?
Nothing to do with nations. (countries)

You're adorable.
Have you met @Bob Estey ?

As for the Bible being interpretation... that's nonsense.
Haven't you heard of biblical interpretation? (Exo-Jesus and Eyes-O-Jesus)
The Bible doesn't interpret itself. That is the job of flawed humans.
What you might call: "God's inspired Word."

[

 

[Bob Estey]

St. SteVen said:
How many demon-nations are there?

Wow.
Perhaps you didn't catch my sarcasm.
I wrote "demon-nations", meaning denominations. Get it?
Nothing to do with nations. (countries)

You're adorable.
Have you met @Bob Estey ?

As for the Bible being interpretation... that's nonsense.
Haven't you heard of biblical interpretation? (Exo-Jesus and Eyes-O-Jesus)
The Bible doesn't interpret itself. That is the job of flawed humans.
What you might call: "God's inspired Word."

[

The purpose of the Bible is to introduce us to the Lord. Some people seem to think the Bible IS the Lord. Read this:

[39] You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
[40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 RSV

 

[St. SteVen]

The purpose of the Bible is to introduce us to the Lord. Some people seem to think the Bible IS the Lord. Read this:

[39] You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
[40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 RSV

Thanks, Bob.

What was the Bible (the scriptures) when Jesus made that statement?

[

 

[Bob Estey]

Thanks, Bob.

What was the Bible (the scriptures) when Jesus made that statement?

[

I suspect our Old Testament was similar to the Jews' scriptures.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

St. SteVen said:
How many demon-nations are there?

Wow.
Perhaps you didn't catch my sarcasm.
I wrote "demon-nations", meaning denominations. Get it?
Nothing to do with nations. (countries)

You're adorable.
Have you met @Bob Estey ?

As for the Bible being interpretation... that's nonsense.
Haven't you heard of biblical interpretation? (Exo-Jesus and Eyes-O-Jesus)
The Bible doesn't interpret itself. That is the job of flawed humans.
What you might call: "God's inspired Word."

[

I believe in using plain English to communicate. After all, I was an English teacher and am now a published author with 13 published books (knowingtoknowGod.com).

The Bible interprets itself by providing the meanings and teachings that illuminate God's ideas and history. What I mean is, do word studies in the contexts of those words throughout the Bible to determine their meanings there rather than from your own reasoning or from your culture. Compare Scripture with Scripture within their contexts. That way, because God inspired the whole Bible, in a sense, it's letting God interpret the Bible for you. What the Bible assumes, we need to assume is another example. That's the idea; I found that the Reformed faith did the best job of that kind of interpretation, while letting the mysteries speak for themselves.

 

[Ritajanice]

The purpose of the Bible is to introduce us to the Lord. Some people seem to think the Bible IS the Lord. Read this:

[39] You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;

There is no eternal life in the scriptures, there is only eternal life if one is Born Again....by the Living Spirit Of God....the scriptures explains all of this it also explains how we become Born Of God’s Living seed , by divine/ supernatural revelation as the written word explains.

[40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 RSV

The Bible which is the inspired word of God, is not necessary, for one to read to be birthed by the Spirit Of God, that is by divine revelation/ supernatural event that one never forgets.
Plus divine revelation is biblical..the spirit birth is for me “ mind blowing “.
Some people read the Bible searching for God, but, only the Living Spirit can birth their spirit into His..the written word can’t do that.

As soon as my spirit became Born Again, I went out and bought a Bible, the Bible helps me mature and grow in spirit knowledge and even then it’s in God’s timing.

I have heard many people say, that if one is a pastor or an admin of a forum then they know much more than everyone else...never believe it, they are the same as everyone else, human, and open to error the same as everyone else, we are all learning...I only have ever looked to the Spirit for guidance, he will give us discernment as it’s a gift from God......you can listen to Pastors etc..doesn’t make them right in everything they say or type, some people like the power to be followed....and some will indoctrinate some who are weak in the faith.....be strong in the faith and only ever follow Jesus by his Spirit..only God can make us bold and strong in our teachings of what we believe is His truth....my testimony/ opinion and belief.."also standing up for one’s convictions comes at a price, some will hate you for it ,just as they hated Jesus..I’m a Jesus pleaser “ NOW” from a people pleaser and what they only want to hear...Praise God.

Keep the convictions you have about these matters between yourself and God, and don't impose them upon others.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

There is no eternal life in the scriptures, there is only eternal life if one is Born Again....by the Living Spirit Of God....the scriptures explains all of this it also explains how we become Born Of God’s Living seed , by divine/ supernatural revelation as the written word explains.

The Bible which is the inspired word of God, is not necessary, for one to read to be birthed by the Spirit Of God, that is by divine revelation/ supernatural event that one never forgets.
Plus divine revelation is biblical..the spirit birth is for me “ mind blowing “.
Some people read the Bible searching for God, but, only the Living Spirit can birth their spirit into His..the written word can’t do that.

As soon as my spirit became Born Again, I went out and bought a Bible, the Bible helps me mature and grow in spirit knowledge and even then it’s in God’s timing.

I have heard many people say, that if one is a pastor or an admin of a forum then they know much more than everyone else...never believe it, they are the same as everyone else, human, and open to error the same as everyone else, we are all learning...I only have ever looked to the Spirit for guidance, he will give us discernment as it’s a gift from God......you can listen to Pastors etc..doesn’t make them right in everything they say or type, some people like the power to be followed....and some will indoctrinate some who are weak in the faith.....be strong in the faith and only ever follow Jesus by his Spirit..only God can make us bold and strong in our teachings of what we believe is His truth....my testimony/ opinion and belief.."also standing up for one’s convictions comes at a price, some will hate you for it ,just as they hated Jesus..I’m a Jesus pleaser “ NOW” from a people pleaser and what they only want to hear...Praise God.

Keep the convictions you have about these matters between yourself and God, and don't impose them upon others.

Why did you go out and buy a Bible? Even more pertinently, how did you get born again if you knew nothing about the Bible and God? Did you attend church or Sunday School before then? I'd like to hear your experience, and then I can share mine.

 

[Ritajanice]

Why did you go out and buy a Bible? Even more pertinently, how did you get born again if you knew nothing about the Bible and God? Did you attend church or Sunday School before then? I'd like to hear your experience, and then I can share mine.

I have already told you how I was Born Again, by divine revelation, do you understand what divine revelation means?

Who said I didn’t know anything about God/Jesus?

I have already shared my testimony, many times...no one can come to the Father accept through the Son...we must believe initially in Jesus before any birth can take place.even then God drew me to His Son and belief in Jesus as soon as that happened I was Baptised in the Living Spirit, who testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children.

Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

You don’t understand my birthing by the Spirit of God, because it’s foreign to you.

I’m not interested in hearing your testimony with respect, if you believe you are Born Again by the Bible none of my business.

I wasn’t, I was Born Again having never read a Bible like thousands of other believers before me, I’m shocked to be honest that you don’t seem to realise that Gods Spirit is Alive and Active.who births our spirit into His, what’s that my friend, if it’s not by divine revelation?

 

[Ritajanice]

Why did you go out and buy a Bible

Why did I go out and buy a Bible, because I became Born Again by divine revelation, and there I was just as the word says, Born Again by the Living Holy Spirit/ divine revelation.

He revealed himself to my spirit, do you understand that he testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children?

You were obviously Born Again very differently to me.thats for sure.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

St. SteVen said:
If that was true, there would be no contradictory doctrines. Right?

How many demon-nations are there?

How do you know that yours isn't one of them?

Who decides which interpretation is the right one?

Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?

This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...

www.christianityboard.com

[

There has always been contradictory doctrines since the church was born. It has gotten worse over time because of human corruption.

We do not "interpret" the bible, but study it and pray and learn. We accept and obey. We first must master the NT before we go back to the old for we are New Testament believers. As one grows in faith and the knowledge of the word, they should change stands several times. This is because they are reading more and getting the fuller picture of what God has to command and say to the church.

I always advise people to become part of a local bible believing, bible preaching, soul winning church and study study study the bible before they pick up any theology books.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I have already told you how I was Born Again, by divine revelation, do you understand what divine revelation means?

Who said I didn’t know anything about God/Jesus?

I have already shared my testimony, many times...no one can come to the Father accept through the Son...we must believe initially in Jesus before any birth can take place.even then God drew me to His Son and belief in Jesus as soon as that happened I was Baptised in the Living Spirit, who testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children.

You don’t understand my birthing by the Spirit of God, because it’s foreign to you.

I’m not interested in hearing your testimony with respect, if you believe you are Born Again by the Bible none of my business.

I wasn’t, I was Born Again having never read a Bible like thousands of other believers before me, I’m shocked to be honest that you don’t seem to realise that Gods Spirit is Alive and Active.who births our spirit into His, what’s that my friend, if it’s not by divine revelation?

God gave me his new birth at the age of 16; that was 66 years ago. (See the book What God Has Done: My True, Dramatic God-Biography (Amazon). I just thought that we could share our testimonies with each other, but I respect your decision. You may have shared it, but I'm new to this forum and missed it. The Holy Spirit is very active in coming from the Father through Jesus in my life, since he has given me three ministries to do in my old age, including being a published author (growingtoknowGod.com). I'm very thankful. May God bless you.

 

[Ritajanice]

God gave me his new birth at the age of 16; that was 66 years ago. (See the book What God Has Done: My True, Dramatic God-Biography (Amazon). I just thought that we could share our testimonies with each other, but I respect your decision. You may have shared it, but I'm new to this forum and missed it. The Holy Spirit is very active in coming from the Father through Jesus in my life, since he has given me three ministries to do in my old age, including being a published author (growingtoknowGod.com). I'm very thankful. May God bless you.

Thanks for sharing,, Lovely!..Praise God for everything he has Blessed you with, truly wonderful to hear!..

Do I look up growing to knowGod.com. Is that what I look up @Bruce-Leiter ...I’m very intrigued to read that?