Doctrine and Direction
What is doctrine? The basic meaning is teaching. Specifically, the teaching of Biblical truth, ethics, morality, but really the entirety of Scripture. Doctrine ranges from simple and general to complicated and specific.
- Essential for the development of character. What one understands and believes influences the way one lives.
- Safeguards against error (Matt. 22:29; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).
- Necessary to gain a comprehensive view of Biblical truths, which are scattered throughout various parts of the Bible.
- Paul mentions doctrine 10 times in 1 & 2 Tim & Titus. Very Important!
What would be a good example of basic and simple doctrine? General and simple would be something like, we know that it is ungodly to lie. To take that a step further to the specific and perhaps more complicated it could be stated that we know that lying is bearing false witness in any form. This includes half truths, cover ups for the sake of covering someone’s shame, incomplete truths that mask and hide the uncomfortable.
Another example we could discuss is an issue of morality that would ultimately lead to disciplinary measures. Basic doctrine states that adultery is sin and ungodly. But the doctrine/teaching from scripture makes it clear that it should not and cannot be permitted in the body of Christ. The sin must be dealt with in a Biblical manner and disciplinary steps should be taken as required.
One more that is not a major obvious doctrinal issue perhaps. Let’s go more subtle.
Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the life of a believer. Pastor Mike has been teaching on the Holy Spirit and His role in the life of the believer. Now as elders your responsibility is to seek out the Scriptures to see if Mike is teaching truth and teaching accurately. What if you find out that he is teaching something that you don’t know? What if he is teaching something you have not agreed with in the past, but as you study the Scripture you find out that its true? What if Mike is off the rails and is teaching something that is not Biblical? OK, that is unlikely to happen – but it’s worth discussion. What is more likely to happen is that you have a small group leader, a Sunday school teacher, etc that goes off the rails.
Let’s pause there for a moment and discuss what should be done. If necessary we will need to proceed to our next steps in Church Discipline. We will circle around to that in the next session.
So if doctrine is teaching, we can conclude that it is the responsibility of the elders to insure that the teaching that is taking place in the church and authorized by the church is proper, Biblical, and on target.
This responsibility is not just to be the watchdogs, but also to be those who contribute thought, ideas, and wisdom in the things the church body is needing to be taught. As elders you also have your ears to the ground, your fingers on the pulse of the church in ways that Pastor Mike cannot. You each reach a different portion of the congregation that is impossible for Mike and Samantha to connect with on a regular basis. Additionally, you will hear things that they will or would never hear about.
Example of Cuba teaching on marriage and family. This is an example of something that needed to be addressed and taught.
Example of Prophetic class at Faith Bible Chapel. This is an example of something that needed to be corrected.
What are examples of things you know that need to be taught at Level Church?
What are examples of things you know that might need to be corrected, if any?
Basic Doctrines
- The Trinity – There is one God in three persons.
- The Person of Jesus Christ – Jesus is fully man and fully God for all eternity.
- The Virgin birth of Christ
- The Resurrection of Christ.
- Salvation – It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
- The Scripture – It is entirely inerrant and sufficient for all Christian life.
- The Second Coming of Christ – Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to rule and judge.
- Monotheism. Jesus is the only way
- Baptism in water
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- Communion
What does it look like for you to be responsible for guiding and shepherding the doctrine of the church?