doctrine (n.)

late 14c., “the body of principles, dogmas, etc., in a religion or field of knowledge,” from Old French doctrine (12c.) “teaching, doctrine” and directly from Latin doctrina “a teaching, body of teachings, learning,” from doctor “teacher” (from https://www.etymonline.com/word/doctrine)

It’s been my personal observation of Pentecostal-Charismatic type of Christians that they seek experiences with the Holy Spirit which result in emotional highs and don’t care so much about biblical doctrines. And the ironic thing is, though they assert that teaching doctrine from the Word of God is not as important as being filled with the Spirit, they have developed their own doctrines which are patently false and unscriptural!

One pastor of a Pentecostal church boasted to me how little Bible he knew or memorized and yet he is “filled with the spirit.” I tend to agree with him that he’s full of some spirit, but the question is, which spirit? Is it really the Holy Spirit? My Bible says,

John 6:63b  …the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

One “brother” told me once, “We have Jesus, we don’t need the Bible.” But how are we going to have Jesus without the Bible? NO WAY! The Bible is the only authority a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus can stand on. And if he or she cannot explain their faith in Christ directly from Bible verses, I wonder if they have any real faith at all. The Bible says the source of true faith is through hearing the Word of God. The Bible is the only sure source of the written Word of God.

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I once wanted to share the historicist interpretation of Daniel 9:27 to an elderly Pentecostal lady I was helping in setting up her new house. She told me flat out she wasn’t interested in hearing it. She introduced me to Todd White who teaches doctrines such as, “the Bible doesn’t tell you to rebuke the Devil.” And she introduced me to Heidi Baker who sometimes appears before a congregation acting so drunk as if she had just drank several bottles of wine!

In showing the list of Scriptures in the Bible with the word “doctrine” I will be commenting on the number of times it appears in certain sections of Scripture. I’ve been influenced by the teaching of Pastor Michael Hoggard who believes numbers in the Bible and specifically in the King James Version of the Bible, are significant because it shows that the KJV is a translation that can be only inspired by the Holy Spirit. For example, the word “godhead” appears exactly 3 times in the KJV signifying the truth of the doctrine of the Trinity. Other English translations do not do so. The New King James version in the Book of Acts uses the words “divine nature” instead of godhead. That’s wrong and a different meaning entirely!

Scriptures with the Word Doctrine

The word doctrine appears six times in the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 32:2  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Job 11:4  For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
Proverbs 4:2  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Isaiah 28:9  ¶Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isaiah 29:24  They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Jeremiah 10:8  But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

It appears 12 times in the four Gospels. It’s interesting that Jesus chose 12 Apostles!

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 12:38 ¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
John 18:19 ¶ The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

It appears four times in the Book of Acts. There are a lot of combinations of “fours” in the Bible, four Gospels, four beasts (Revelation 6:1,6), four angels, four corners, four winds (Revelation 7:1)

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

It appears 21 times in 12 chapters of the Pauline Epistles! The number 21 can be factored to 3 X 7, both significant numbers in the Bible. And of course, 12 is a significant number.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

It appears five times in four verses in the rest of the Epistles.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

It appears three times in three verses in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Revelation 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Revelation 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

The plural of the word, doctrines, appears five times in five verses in the Bible.

It’s very interesting to me that in each case the plural word is used in a negative sense meaning bad or false doctrines!

Matthew 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:7  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Colossians 2:22  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
1 Timothy 4:1  ¶Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Hebrews 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Words Modifying Doctrine

Deuteronomy 32:2 My (God’s) doctrine shall drop as the rain
Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine
Matthew 7:28 when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 22:33  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 4:2  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mark 11:18  And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 12:38  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Luke 4:32  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
John 18:19  The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
1 Timothy 6:1  ¶Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Mark 1:27 (Jesus’) new doctrine
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine
Acts 17:19 May we know what this new doctrine,
Ephesians 4:14 every wind of doctrine
1 Timothy 1:10 sound doctrine
1 Timothy 4:6 the words of faith and of good doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3 sound doctrine
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
Hebrews 6:1 the doctrine of Christ
2 John 1:9 the doctrine of Christ

Is love also needed when teaching doctrine?

Absolutely! We should not become like the scribes and Pharisees with a holier than thou attitude when we teach doctrine from the Bible. The Bible says,

1 Corinthians 13:2  And though I have … all knowledge; … and have not charity, I am nothing.

2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

We are to teach doctrine from the Bible in a spirit of love and meekness and not in an arrogant condescending attitude. When we know our own weaknesses and faults, it’s easier to remain humble. Remember, Jesus came not for the righteous, but to bring sinners to repentance. We are ALL sinners. The problem with some people is they don’t think of themself as a sinner.

1 John 1:8  ¶If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Conclusion

From this study, would you say that teaching correct doctrine is important? Or would you say, “Doctrine divides! All Christians should be united as one! Let’s continue on with ecumenicalism and unite with ALL religions, e.g., the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, any Christian religion that claims to be Christians such as Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. Don’t we all worship the same God?” My answer to that would be a resounding NO! Catholics include Mary in the Godhead.

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