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WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT DOCTRINE?
Is it as important as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Arminius, and Wesley
thought? Or has an emphasis on doctrine actually detracted from the
freedom of life in the Spirit?
Many are concluding that Christians no longer have the luxury of
arguing over their differing beliefs. They feel that the emphasis today
must be on answers that meed the deep and troubling needs of life. But is
right doctrine merely academic? It is our prayer that the work Herb Vander
Lugt, senior research editor, has put into the following pages will help us
to answer that crucial question.
IS DOCTRINE KEEPING US APART?
Would God want His people to part company over doctrinal differences?
Or would He prefer that we unite around Christ, talk about the Bible, and
do away with competing creeds, catechisms, and details? Could the Lord
possible be pleased to see us dividing ourselves into so many endless
fragments?
Anglicans Independents
Baptists Lutherans
Catholics Mennonites
Church of Christ Methodists
Church of God Nazarenes
Congregationalists Orthodox
Episcopalians Presbyterians
Evangelical Free Reformed
Ironically, however, the Lord might be even more displeased if we
tried to minimize the importance of doctrine. Doctrine is simply "what is
believed and taught." Therefore, you can't have Christ without embracing a
doctrine of Christ. We must have doctrine to answer questions like: Who
is Christ? Does He answer to other names such as Mohammed and Buddha?
Does He care what we believe about Him? Would He send anyone to hell for
having a wrong opinion?
In such matters, we need sound doctrine based on the self-evident
truths of Scripture. What we don't need are doctrinal arguments and church
splits based on human conjecture and opinion -- or anything that goes
beyond the scope of the plain meaning of the written Word of God.
THE TREATMENT OF MISBELIEF
Sound doctrine is right thinking that reflects what the Bible says
about ourselves, our God, and our world. Our challenge, therefore, is not
to learn to talk and act like theologians, but rather to know and believe
what God has said (1 Tim. 1:3, 10; 2 Tim. 3:10, 15; 4:2, 3; Titus 1:9;
2:1, 7, 10).
In God's eyes, belief is more important than behavior. That's not
because what we do is not important. It's because thought are the seeds of
actions. Negatively put, misbehavior is usually an expression of
misbelief. While physical factors may play a supporting role, misbehavior
is usually rooted in the misbeliefs that occupy our souls.
Nothing cures wrong actions better than right thinking and sound
doctrine. Without right thinking we follow feelings and desires into dark
swamps of personal deception and eventual self-destruction.
Doctrine is far more than heavy words like:
* Pneumatology--the study of the Spirit.
* Soteriology--the study of salvation.
* Eschatology--the study of endtimes.
* Ecclesiology--the study of the church.
* Christology--the study of Christ.
* Hamartiology--the study of sin.
Doctrine is right thinking about our feelings, our desires, our
relationships, our discouragements, our fears, our joys, and our hopes. It
is right thinking about God, ourselves, others, and our world. Nothing is
more urgent than learning to think and believe what is right.
LIKE WALKING IN THE SURF
The study of doctrine should be like walking in the surf. It should
calm our nerves and renew our perspective on what is important. Doctrine
should be as refreshing as a day at the beach were the cares of life are
drowned out and absorbed by the combination of sun, sand, and surf.
The study of doctrine, however, does not always do that. Too often it
becomes an end in itself. Too often it doesn't get beyond the stuffiness
and thin air of a windowless classroom. Too often it lies lifeless, as a
mere theory--arguable at best and trivial by comparison to what it should
be.
Right doctrine is never theory alone. Just as the water of surf is a
compound of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, so right doctrine is
made up of two parts truth and one part love. Truth about God and truth
about ourselves must always be combined with love. Love without truth
leads to emotionalism or, at best, good intentions. Truth without love
leads to arguments and fights.
With this in view, let's take a look at 10 major categories of right
thinking. Look at these truths not only for what they teach, but for what
they can accomplish in us as the Holy Spirit applies them to our misbeliefs
and misbehavior.
THE DOCTRINES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
The Doctrine of God.
1. Q Who is God?
A God is Yahweh, the one (Deut. 6:4), ultimate (Ps. 97:9; Is.
40:12-31), eternal Being (Ps. 90:2), who created (Gen. 1:1), rules
(Ps. 115:3), and sustains all that exists (Job 38; Acts 17:24-28).
Countless religious substitutes divert worship to themselves.
But there is only one Creator and Savior. Because He alone gives
life, He deserves our gratitude. Because every heartbeat and
circumstance is under His control, He alone deserves the trust that we
habitually place in ourselves, our family, or our finances. Because
He is eternal, no one will outlive Him. Because He is the Lord of
lords, He is the only one in the universe to whom we must finally
answer.
2. Q How do we know there is a God?
A The wonders of nature witness to His existence as Creator (Ps.
19:1-4). The inner voice of our conscience testifies to His existence
as Lawgiver and Judge (Rom. 1:18-32; 2:12-16). And the love of Christ
reveals His existence as Savior and Friend (John 1:1-18; 15:15).
Because God has made Himself self-evident, our problem is not so
much to prove His existence as to stop ignoring it (John 3:17-21).
3. Q How can we define or describe God?
A God is the one and only (Is. 44:6), unchangeable (James 1:17),
invisible (Col. 1:15), infinite (I King. 8:27), and perfect (Matt.
5:48) Spirit Being (John 4:24). He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15,16), loving
(I John 4:8-16), and truthful in all that He does (John 3:33). He has
lived from all eternity as one God in three distinct persons (Matt.
28:19), and in the course of time He visited us as God in the flesh
(John 1:1-14).
He exists with or without our understanding. He can be described
truthfully and adequately, but never exhaustively. He is infinitely
more, and never less, than we have yet known Him to be.
4. Q Where do we get the idea that God is one God in three persons?
A The Bible emphasizes the unity of God (Deut. 6:4; Gal. 3:20; 1
Tim. 2:5; James 2:19), but it also describes Him as three distinct
persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--all of whom are fully and
equally God (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3,4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:8, 1 Pet.
1:2).
5. Q What do we mean when we say that God is infinite?
A God is infinite in that He is unlimited (Luke 1:37). He is
unrestricted by time, space, or circumstance. He is eternally
timeless (Ps. 90:2; Rev. 22:13), all-powerful (Matt. 19:26), all-
knowing (Job 37:16), and everywhere present (Ps. 139:7-12; Matt.
28:20). Yet He always remains distinct from His creation (Is. 40:18-
26). He is limited only in the sense that He cannot do anything
inconsistent with His own goodness (Titus 1:2; James 1:13).
This means He is vastly different from the gods of Eastern
mystics or Western materialists. Their gods are either so small and
self-contradictory, or so secular and inclusive that they cannot be
distinguished from cows, rats, scorpions, statues, or human thought.
6. Q What is the comfort of believing that this triune God is the
Creator and Sustainer of everything?
A This assurance enables us to be patient in trouble (James 1:2-4;
Rom. 5:3,4), thankful in prosperity (Phil. 4:10-13), and joyful even
in the face of death (Rom. 8:28-39; 2 Cor. 4:7-5:9). God is
ultimately all that we need. While our tendency is to seek
satisfaction and significance in lesser persons or pursuits, God alone
offers us lasting hope and life.
The Doctrine of Christ
1. Q Who is Jesus Christ?
A Jesus Christ is the God-man who appeared on our planet to reveal
God (John 1:1-14), to show us how to live (1 John 2:6), and to rescue
us from the guilt and power of sin (Rom. 6:1-14). He is Savior (Acts
4:12), Life (John 14:6), and Lord (Rom. 10:9,13) to all who put their
trust in Him.
Because of who He is and what He has done for us, Jesus deserves
our genuine appreciation, our deepest affection, our complete
obedience, and our unconditional loyalty.
2. Q How does the New Testament affirm that Jesus Christ was genuinely
human?
A The Lord Jesus was born of a woman (Gal. 4:4). He had a human
body that developed mentally and physically in the same way that other
children do (Luke 2:40,52). He became tired (John 4:6-8), hungry
(Matt. 4:2), and thirsty (John 19:28). He slept (Matt. 8:24). He
wept (John 11:35). He was tested (Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15). He
felt anger and grief (Mark 3:5), compassion (Matt. 9:36), and agony
(Luke 22:44).
Because He endured not only what we endure, but far more, He
understands and feels what we are going through. Because He lived as
a real man, He showed us how to depend on the Holy Spirit for our
every need. He modeled the way all of us can depend on God.
3. Q How does the Bible show that Jesus was not only man but also God?
A The Bible explicitly states that Jesus is God (John 1:1; Rom.
9:5; 1 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8). Jesus possesses attributes
that only God could have: eternality (John 8:58), omnipresence (Matt.
18:20), omniscience (John 16:30), omnipotence (Rev. 1:8), and
immutability (Heb. 1:12). Jesus does what only God can do: forgives
sin (Mark 2:1-12), gives life (John 5:21), raises the dead (John
6:39,40,54; 11:38-44), and executes judgment (John 5:22,27). Jesus
was given names and titles of deity: Immanuel, meaning "God with us"
(Matt. 1:23); King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16); and Son of
God (Matt. 26:63-65). Jesus Himself claimed to be God (John 10:30;
cp. v.33).
In saying that Jesus is God, the Scriptures state more than we
could ever understand. What remains is for us to show by our actions
that we believe in One whom we can worship and serve, even though we
can't fully understand Him.
4. Q Why did Jesus die a criminal's death on a Roman cross?
A Since hanging was a token of supreme humiliation, the triune God
decreed that Jesus Christ should die in this manner to portray the
fact that He bore God's wrath against the sin of the whole human race
(1 John 2:2). Through this humiliating death, infinite in value
because of Christ's deity, our Lord provided an atoning sacrifice (Is.
53:4,5; Heb. 9:26), satisfied God's justice (Rom. 3:25), and bought
our forgiveness (Col. 1:14).
How can we repay Him? We cannot! We are eternally indebted to
Him. All we can do is show our love and gratitude by offering
ourselves and our service as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1,2).
5. Q How important is Christ's resurrection?
A Through our Lord's resurrection, God confirmed Jesus as His Son
(Rom. 1:4), showed His satisfaction with Christ's sacrifice on our
behalf (Rom. 4:25), affirmed Christ's power to give life to those who
trust Him (Rom. 8:11), and assured us who believe on Him that someday
we too will receive resurrection bodies (1 Cor. 15:20,21).
6. Q Where is Jesus now and what is He doing?
A Jesus Christ ascended to heaven 40 days after His resurrection
where He has taken a place of honor (Acts 1:9; 2:33). He will remain
there until He returns to "catch up" the church (1 Thess. 4:13-18) and
then later return to the earth as King to judge the world (Matt.
25:31-46) and rule for 1,000 years (Rev. 19:11-20:6).
In the meantime, He is preparing a place for us (John 14:3),
interceding for us as our Advocate (Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1),
sympathetically responding to our needs (Heb. 4:14-16), and
functioning as the Head of the church (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18).
While one person can say to another, "What have you done for me
lately?" such a question would reflect mindless ignorance or
ingratitude if expressed to Christ. He constantly and effectively
works in our behalf.
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
1. Q Who is the Holy Spirit?
A The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, truly God and
therefore co-equal with the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts
5:3,4; 2 Cor. 13:14). Since He is spirit, He does not have to be seen
or felt in order to be close to us. Since He is holy, He must be met
on "holy ground". This is why people who have not separated
themselves from sin lack the awareness of His presence.
2. Q What were His roles as a member of the Godhead during the Old
Testament era?
A He acted with the Father and Son in creation (Gen. 1:2), equipped
people to do God's service (Ex. 31:1-5; Num. 11:16,17), renewed nature
(Ps. 104:30), came upon Israel's kings (1 Sam. 16:13), inspired
Israel's prophets and the men who wrote the Scriptures (1 Pet. 1:10-
12; 2 Pet. 1:21), and worked in the hearts of people to lead them to
believe God and do His will (Acts 7:51).
This shows how willing God is to provide supernatural strength to
those who want to serve Him. Those who want to do God's will don't
have to do it in their own power.
3. Q What is the Holy Spirit's relationship to the church, the body of
Christ?
A The Holy Spirit gave birth to the church (Acts 2:1-47), baptizes
believers into the church (1 Cor. 12:13), abides in the church (1 Cor.
3:16), unifies the church (Eph. 2:22; 4:3,4), gives gifts to the
church (1 Cor. 12:4-11), provides leaders for the church (Acts 20:28),
directs the work of the church (Acts 13:2), and uses the church to
hold back or hinder evil in the world (2 Thess. 2:7).
Because the Holy Spirit indwells the people of God both
individually and collectively, the church should not be thought of as
a merely human institution. It should not be taken for granted. It
should never be casually dismissed or ignored. In many ways our
actions toward the church are actions taken toward God (Acts 5:1-11).
4. Q What does the Holy Spirit do for those who have not made peace
with God?
A He draws attention to Christ (John 16:13,14), empowers God's
messengers (1 Thess. 1:5), brings conviction to sinners (John 16:8-
11), and produces the new birth (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).
For these reasons, no person is too bad or too hardened to be
converted to Christ. No person is so evil that he cannot be reached
or cannot be saved. The purpose of God has never been to save only
good people or to bring deliverance only to those who were naturally
endowed with qualities that would make them desirable prospects for
the kingdom of heaven. God sent His Spirit into the world to come to
the rescue of all kinds of people--even the very worst and most
hateful.
5. Q What does the Holy Spirit do in the lives of believers?
A He permanently indwells believers to mark us out as God's
possession (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19). He seals us to guarantee our
ultimate salvation (2 Cor. 1:21,22; Eph. 1:13,14; 4:30). He fills us
when we yield to Him, giving us power for life and ministry (Acts 6:3;
13:9-12; Eph. 5:18-21). He produces Christian character in us (Gal.
5:22,23). He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:10). He intercedes for us when we
cannot pray (Rom. 8:26,27). He enables us to discern false teaching
about Christ (1 John 2:20-27). He assures us that we are God's
children (Rom. 8:16). He equips us to serve one another (Rom. 12:3-8;
1 Cor. 12:1-31). He guides us (Rom. 8:14).
We are inclined to assume that what we see in the mirror is what
counts. But what really counts is what the Holy Spirit can do in a
heart that is given unreservedly to Him.
6 Q In what ways can we harm ourselves by sinning against the Holy
Spirit?
A We are warned about sinning against the Holy Spirit by grieving
Him through disobedience (Eph. 4:30), lying to Him (Acts 5:3),
quenching Him with a negative attitude (1 Thess. 5:19), resisting Him
(Acts 7:51), and insulting Him (Heb. 10:29).
For this reason, we should be far more concerned about
maintaining a good relationship with the Spirit than we are about
staying on good terms with our spouse, children, parents, employer, or
friends.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE
1. Q What sets the Bible apart from all other books?
A The Bible in its entirety was written by men who were inspired by
God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21). And because it is inspired (lit.
"breathed out") by God, the original documents are without error of
any kind (John 17:17). It is authoritative in all matters of faith
and conduct (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
This book is like no other book in the world. It is a record of
the life and work of the most important Person in the universe.
Behind the pages, storylines, events, and people of His book, He waits
to meet personally with every honest seeker. While the natural world
reveals God's power, majesty, and wisdom, the Bible reveals His plan
of personal, eternal salvation. It is the Author of this book and
what He offers His readers that make the bible so timeless and
important.
2 Q How do we know that the Bible we hold in our hands accurately
represents the original documents that go back more than 3,500
years?
A The amazing similarity of thousands of well-preserved manuscript
copies gives strong evidence that they accurately reflect the
originals. We can be confident that if God inspired a book to reveal
Himself, He would oversee the preservation of that book.
3. Q What evidence can we give to support the claim that the Bible is
the inspired Word of God?
A christ repeatedly expressed confidence in the reliability of the
Jewish Scriptures--the 39 books of the Old Testament (Matt. 5:17, 18;
Luke 24:27,44). In the fourth century, the church fathers declared
these 39 books plus the 27 books of the New Testament to be divinely
inspired, authoritative, and complete.
While the doctrine that the Scriptures are the inspired and
inerrant Word of God is a matter of faith, it is a reasonable faith.
The unity of the message of these books written over a period of more
than 1,500 years is astounding. Its accuracy of historical detail,
its completeness of storyline, its amazingly fulfilled prophecies, its
beneficial impact on society, and its transforming power in the lives
of those who read it believingly are such powerful testimonies that it
is actually unreasonable not to believe in the inspired Scriptures.
The best reason to believe in the Bible is that Jesus Christ, the
perfect God-man, believed in it (Matt. 12:39-42; 19:4,5; Luke 17:26-
29). The most personal reason to believe is found by each individual
in the wisdom, rightness, and strength that comes from following the
Bible.
4. Q How can we understand the Bible?
A By asking the help of its divine Author, by seeking to determine
what its human authors meant, by interpreting it literally and in
context as we would any other book, and by submitting humbly to its
message.
5. Q What should we do when we encounter a Bible passage we can't
understand or verses that seem to contradict one another?
A If after serious study we can't find the answer or solution, we
should proceed to other passages with the assurance that the problem
is with us, and that someday, either on earth or in heaven, our
difficulty will be eliminated.
THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
1. Q What is salvation?
A Salvation is deliverance from the penalty, pollution, and power
of sin (Rom. 6:14, 23; Titus 3:4-6). It is eternally more important
that being saved from fire, deep water, illness, or loneliness. While
most people struggle to be saved from social embarrassment, poor
health, poverty, or personal discouragement, the issue of their
eternal well-being is usually overlooked or minimized.
2. Q What is sin?
A Sin is any thought, word or deed that either violates of falls
short of complete conformity to God's holy laws (Rom. 3:23; 1 John
3:4). In short, Jesus and His apostles taught that sin is anything
that doesn't reflect selfless love for God and others.
3. Q What has God done to provide salvation?
A He became a member of the human race in the person of Jesus
Christ (John 1:1,14), lived sinlessly as our substitute to fulfill
God's righteous demands (2 Cor. 5:21), suffered and died on the cross
to bear the penalty for our sins (Matt. 20:28; Rom 4:23-25; 1 Cor.
15:3,4), and rose from the grave to break the power to death and
defeat Satan (Acts 2:24; Heb. 2:14,15).
In other words, He accepted full responsibility to pay the price
for the consequences of our sin. Although Christ actually took our
place, His suffering was shared by the Father and the Spirit.
Certainly they deeply felt the pain of seeing one so dearly loved
experience such terrible humiliation and agony.
4. Q For whom did Christ die?
A Jesus Christ died for all, even for those who will not believe on
Him (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4-6; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 2:2). He
died for those who are sinners by nature (Ps. 51:5), disobedient by
choice (Rom. 3:23; Col. 1:21; Titus 3:3), spiritually dead (Eph.
2:1,5), unable to please God (Rom. 8:8), and under His wrath and
condemnation (John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; 3:19).
Christ died for people who have nothing to offer Him but
brokenness and need. He died for people who have fallen far short of
their original purpose to know Him (John 17:3), to glorify Him (1 Cor.
10:31), and to enjoy Him forever (Rev. 7:15-17; 21:1-4).
5. Q Who will be saved?
A From the divine perspective, God saves those whom He has chosen
from before the foundation of the world (Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30; Eph
1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9). From the human viewpoint, salvation
is offered sincerely to everyone and is freely given to all who
believe on Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:28; John 1:12; 3:15,16,36; 6:40,47;
11:25,26; 20:31; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9,10).
Our part is not to understand the mind and mystery of God but to
gratefully accept His undeserved love. Of this we can be sure: All
who sincerely want to be saved and who accept the invitation to
believe in Christ will never be turned away (John 6:37). In time and
eternity they will learn that they came because of the choosing,
urging, and drawing of the Father (John 6:39,44,65).
6. Q On what does God base His choosing of some and not others for
salvation?
A God sovereignly chooses according to His own good pleasure (Eph.
1:4-11). Although His choice is in harmony with His foreknowledge (1
Pet. 1:2), it is not based on it. If God did not take the initiative,
no one would believe and choose Him (John 6:44).
7. Q Does divine election do away with human freedom and
responsibility?
A No! God is sovereign and man is both free and responsible. We
cannot fully harmonize these truths, but we must accept both of them
in humility and faith.
This requires reasonable trust in God. A human parent expects
his small child to trust his parental judgment when that child is not
able to see the big picture. Shouldn't we grant the infinite God that
same consideration and respect?
8. Q How do we receive salvation?
A By faith alone. Neither zealous commitment to good works (Eph.
2:8-10; Rom. 4:1-12) nor careful observance of religious ritual (Gal.
3:1-9) play a part in obtaining salvation.
Salvation is not found in our efforts for God but in trusting
God's efforts for us. As important as it is to go to church, a 50-
year record of perfect attendance would not help us qualify in any way
for heaven. God does not require our money, our attendance, our
prayers, or our songs. All He requires is that we place our trust in
Christ. On that basis He gives salvation. Everything else follows.
9 Q What is the repentance called for by John the Baptist, Jesus,
Paul, and Peter?
A Repentance is that change of attitude about one's self, one's
sin, and God, which involves the whole personality--mind, emotions,
and will. In varying degrees, it always accompanies true faith.
Sorrow for sin often accompanies it and helps give evidence that
genuine repentance has occurred (2 Cor. 7:9,10).
10. Q What is saving faith?
A It is personal trust in God. It is believing that He, on the
basis of Christ's substitutionary death and resurrection, forgives and
accepts all who trust in Jesus Christ and rely on Him alone for
salvation (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:1-25; 5:1,2; Eph. 2:8-10).
It is therefore not what I do but what I believe that counts. If
what I believe is right, doing right will follow. Good works are the
fruit and the evidence (Eph. 2:10; 1 John 3:7-10), not the ground or
the cause.
11. Q What does the Bible mean when it speaks of our justification?
A The Greek work Paul used is a legal term meaning "to be declared
righteous." It depicts the action of God as Judge. When we believe
on Jesus, He declares us righteous (Rom. 3:24-26), free from
condemnation (Acts 13:38,39; Rom. 4:8; 8:1), and restored to His favor
(Rom. 5:9-11).
No human court has ever offered a decision of mercy, pardon, or
acquittal that deserves more celebration than the justification God
offers to every person who believes in Jesus.
12. Q What is sanctification?
A Sanctification, which in the Greek language means "set apart,"
begins as an act of God by which He sets apart for Himself those who
trust Christ (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2). This
positional sanctification on God's part calls for us to respond in
practical sanctification--an ever-increasing separation of ourselves
from sin and a continual growth in holiness (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet.
1:15,16; 2 Pet. 3:18).
God's command to be holy is as fitting to a Christian as the
insistence of a mother who requires that her children, the dog, and
her husband not track mud, tar, paint, and grease into the house.
13. Q What is redemption?
A Redemption is our salvation viewed from the perspective of the
price Jesus paid to rescue us. He redeemed us from the lay (Rom. 7:6)
and from its penalty (Gal. 3:13), from our bondage to sin (Rom.
6:6,11,18,22; Titus 2:14), and from the domain of Satan (Col.
1:13,14). He did so through His death on the cross, the act by which
He met the demands of God's holy nature (Matt. 20:28; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet.
1:18,19).
THE DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
1. Q What is Christian living?
A Christian living is love-controlled conduct that is grounded in
and flows from our personal relationship with Christ. As we grow in
our understanding of how much He loves us, we will grow in our ability
to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves
(Matt. 22:37-39; John 13:34; Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 13).
Nothing is as important as Christlike love--not knowledge, not
religious observance, not ability, not rule-keeping, not appearance,
not personal sacrifice. While we may be ignorant without church, we
are nothing without Christ and His love.
2. Q What are the evidences of a relationship with Christ?
A Those who know what it means to love Christ and to be loved by
Him will be marked by deep gratitude to God (Col. 3:12-17), regular
conversation with Him (1 Thess. 5:17), patient trust in Him (1 Pet.
1:6-9), humble submission to Him (James 4:6-10), and careful attention
to love others as He has loved us (1 John 4:7,11).
All of this is beyond our ability to do in our own strength. but
it is the normal result of letting Christ, by His Spirit, live His
life through us (Gal. 2:20; 5:16,22-25; Eph. 3:16-21; 5:18).
3. Q How can we communicate with God?
A by regularly and prayerfully expressing our own hearts to God
(Matt. 6:5-15) and by carefully listening to Him speak to us through
His written Word (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 4:12).
4. Q What are the conditions for effective prayer?
A God answers our prayers when we pray in faith (Matt. 17:20),
according to His will (1 John 5:14), with a pure heart (Ps. 66:18),
with a forgiving spirit (Mark 11:25,26), in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18),
and with absolute sincerity (Ps. 145:118).
5. Q Why is patient trust so essential to the Christian life?
A God is honored and will honor us when we patiently trust His
wisdom, power, and goodness no matter how fiery our trials, how deep
our griefs, how excruciating our pain, or how unexplainable His ways
are to us (Job 1:20-22; 13:15; 19:25-27; 23:10; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; James
1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-19).
6. Q If love fulfills the law, why must we keep God's commandments?
A The commands of the Bible are God's guidelines to show us how we
can live out in daily practice the love we have for Him and our
neighbors (Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 13:8-10; 1 John 5:3).
Those who do not meditate on the Word of God will soon become
distracted and preoccupied with lesser thoughts, routines, and
details. They will become more concerned with their own desires than
with the physical, spiritual, and eternal needs of others.
7. Q Why is telling others about Jesus an important element in
Christian living?
A Christ commanded it (Matt. 28:19,20), and the eternal needs of
others demand it (Rom. 1:16,17; 10:8-17). It is impossible to love
others as Christ does without being concerned about their deep,
everlasting need. To love others as Christ loves them might involve
more than being concerned about their eternal and spiritual well-
being. But it cannot involve less.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
1. Q What is the church?
A The church is the body of Christ. The term church in the New
Testament sometimes refers to the entire body of people--past,
present, and future--who through faith in the Lord Jesus make up the
organism called the body of Christ, the universal church (Eph.
1:22,23; 5:23-32; Heb. 12:23). At other times the same Greek word
ekklesia (which means "a called out group") refers to a local assembly
of believers (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; 16:19; Gal. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1).
In either case, the church should be as important to us as it is
to Christ. It is far more than brick and mortar. Its people together
make up the body of Christ. Its members both individually and
collectively house the Spirit of Christ.
2. Q When did the church begin?
A The church was born on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after our
Lord's resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came on a small number of
disciples, baptizing them into the one body and filling them with His
power (Acts 2:1-13).
By this act, God temporarily set aside the nation of Israel as
His primary means of revealing Himself to the world. In Israel's
place, the Lord chose to work through an international body of people
who were united not by national affiliation but by personal faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-3:10).
3. Q What are the officers of the local church?
A Two: bishops (elders) and deacons. Their qualifications are
given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Turmoil, confusion, and spiritual
dissension occur as a result of not taking the spiritual
qualifications of church leaders a s seriously as the apostle Paul
did. Their role is not merely administrative--serving on committees
and exercising authority. They are to provide the church with
examples of spiritual maturity and Christlikeness.
4. Q What is the meaning of church baptism?
A Baptism in the name of the triune God (Matt. 28:19) testifies to
the believer's faith (Acts 2:38; 28:19) testifies to the believer's
faith (Acts 2:28; 8:37,38), symbolizes the washing away of his sins
(Acts 22:16), and expresses the believer's identification with Christ
and his intention to live a Christ-exalting life (Rom. 6:1-23).
This is far more than induction into a fraternity or club. No
other ceremony deserves to be compared with the importance of this act
of public identification with Christ and His people.
5. Q What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper?
A The Lord's Supper is a church observance in which believers share
bread and the cup as a memorial to Christ's crucified body and shed
blood (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
By vividly reminding us of the price Jesus paid to save us,
Communion calls us to self-examination and spiritual renewal. While
it has no saving power, it is not to be observed carelessly or
indifferently (1 Cor. 11:27-34).
6. Q What is the local church to do when a member continues to live in
sin despite repeated warnings?
A The church is to confront such a person lovingly about his sin.
If all attempts to correction are resisted, the church is to
disassociate itself from the member with the hope and prayer that such
action will result in his repentance and return (Matt. 18:15-20; 1
Cor. 5:1-13).
If this were done more consistently and lovingly, individual
members of the church would not think it a light or casual thing to
live in sin while identifying with the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAMILY
1. Q What is a family?
A A family is the basic building block of society. It begins when
a man and a woman become husband and wife, and it normally grows as
children are born to them (Ps. 127; 128).
When God's regulations for the honor and preservation of the
family are ignored, society unravels. Divorce, premarital and
extramarital sex, unwed mothers, abusive husbands, negligent wives,
and rebellious children combine to signal the fall of a civilization.
2. Q Why did God institute marriage?
A God ordained marriage as a lifelong and exclusive union of a man
and woman to enrich one another (Gen. 2:18-24), to fulfill mutual
longings for intimacy (1 Cor. 7:1-5; Heb. 13:4), and to provide a
godly home as the proper setting for the procreation and nurturing of
children (Ps. 127; 128).
When marriage loses its God-given honor, husbands, wives, and
children all experience the deep wounds of neglect and rejection. A
relationship designed for help, comfort, and encouragement becomes a
primary source of pain, dissatisfaction, and insecurity.
3. Q What are the responsibilities of a husband to his wife?
A To love her sacrificially as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25),
to commit himself to a lifetime relationship (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-
6), and to be understanding toward her (1 Pet. 3:7), and to care for
her (Eph. 5:28-30).
It's not easy to be the kind of husband God intended. Nowhere is
a man's character tested more intensely. Nowhere is there a greater
need for the grace and inner strength of Christ.
4. Q What are the responsibilities of a wife to her husband?
A To submit to him as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22-24), to love him
(Titus 2:4,5), to be considerate of his desire for intimacy (1 Cor.
7:3-5), to be sexually faithful (Titus 2:5), and to respect him as the
head of the home (Eph. 5:33).
It's not easy to be the kind of wife God intended. Nowhere is a
woman's character tested more intensely. Nowhere is there a greater
need for the grace and inner strength of Christ.
5. Q What are the responsibilities of parents to their children?
A By their example as well as by what they say, parents are to
instruct their children in Bible truth (Deut. 6:4-9) and impart to
them a fear of evil and desire for godliness (Prov. 1:8-10; 3:1-8;
4:1-9; 22:6). They are to do this in a kind, gently way, and back up
their teaching by their own conduct so that their children will be
inclined to follow them instead of being provoked to anger (Eph. 6:4).
6. Q What is the responsibility of children to their parents?
A Paul commanded children to obey and honor their parents (Eph.
6:1-3). He also taught that older children have a financial
responsibility to assist their parents if they become unable to
provide for themselves (1 Tim. 5:4).
THE DOCTRINE OF THE SPIRIT WORLD
1 Q What is the spirit world?
A It is that invisible realm inhabited by holy angels who actively
serve God for our good (Heb. 1:14) and by Satan's demonic forces who
oppose God and seek to harm us (Eph. 6:12).
Its existence is one of the primary reasons that things in our
world are not always as they seem. Our challenge is far greater than
merely to deal with the visible details of life. Our primary struggle
for well-being does not depend just on our flesh-and-blood
relationships but on unseen friends and enemies as well.
2. Q What are angels?
A Angels are created (Ps. 148:1-5), powerful (Ps. 103:20), personal
(Luke 1:26-38; 15:10), deathless (Luke 20:36), spirit beings (Heb.
1:14) designed to worship (Heb. 1:6) and serve the Lord (Ps. 103:20),
and to minister to believers (Heb. 1:14).
While natural observation does not reveal their importance to us,
faith in the Word of God assures us that God's sovereign provision in
our lives is often mediated by these invisible servants. Even more
astounding is the assurance of the Scriptures that they do not always
remain invisible. Because of this, the letter to the Hebrews urges
us, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have
unwittingly entertained angels" (Heb. 13:2).
3. Q Who is Satan?
A Satan is an especially powerful angel who rebelled against God.
His act of rebellion is not described directly in the Bible but is
alluded to in Isaiah's description of the king of Babylon (14:12-15)
and Ezekiel's reference to the king of Tyre (28:11-19). He is also
referred to in the bible as the devil, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Belial,
serpent, dragon, ruler of this world, god of this age, prince of the
power of the air, angel of light, accuser, tempter, deceiver,
murderer, liar, and evil one.
Because of his constant activity against God and the people of
God, He is a far greater threat to us than any other enemy, personal
or national.
4. Q Who are the demons?
A Demons are fallen angels who apparently joined Satan in his
rebellion. Some are active as members of Satan's army (Eph. 6:12)
while others have been imprisoned by God (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
These personal agents of Satan's empire can stimulate and arouse
the worst capacities and desires within us. They don't make us evil,
but they willingly dominate those who refuse to surrender their hearts
to God.
5. Q What are the activities of Satan?
A With the help of his demon followers, he plants false Christians
among the true (Matt. 13:24-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). He seeks to devour
the Lord's people (1 Pet. 5:8). He falsely accuses God's children
(Job 1:6-12; 2:1-5; Zech. 3:1-10; Rev. 12:10). He rules over the
unsaved world (John 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph. 2:2). He deceives people
through his outright lies (John 8:44) and his cleverly designed
though-systems (2 Cor. 4:4; 11:14,15; Col. 2:8,20-23; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 1
John 2:15-17; 5:19). And he can possess nonbelievers (Mark 5:1-13;
6:13; Acts 5:16; 16:16-18; 19:11,12).
We are constantly interacting with the workings of this evil
strategist. Often, like Peter (Matt. 16:23), we are so unaware of the
ways of God that even our good intentions can serve Satan's purposes.
For that reason we must continually depend on the Lord's ability to
lead us.
6. Q What did Christ do to assure the ultimate defeat of Satan and his
forces?
A By His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus broke Satan's power
(Col. 2:14,15; Heb. 2:14,15). So the devil and his forces operate
today as defeated foes who know they are doomed to the lake of fire
(Matt. 8:29; James 2:19; Rev 20:10).
It is absolutely essential to keep in mind that Satan's final
outcome is a foregone conclusion. His predetermined fate is a
terrible reality that should help us to avoid either carelessness or
despair.
7. Q How can we defeat Satan?
A We who have placed our trust in Christ can overcome Satan in our
daily lives by submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7; 1
Pet. 5:8,9); by being aware of his strategy and avoiding the sins that
give him a foothold in our lives (1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:10,11; Eph.
4:26,27; 1 Tim. 3:6,7); by putting on the full armor of God (Eph.
6:11-18); and by totally rejecting all forms of occult activity,
including magic, spiritism, and witchcraft (Lev. 19:26,31; 20:6,27;
Deut. 18:10-12; Is. 8:19; Mic. 5:12; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8; 22:15).
THE DOCTRINE OF THE FUTURE
1. Q What happens when a person dies?
A The person's soul-spirit leaves his body and goes either to
Hades, where he consciously awaits resurrection, judgment, and eternal
punishment, or to heaven, where he consciously awaits resurrection,
judgment, and eternal reward (Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28,29; 2 Cor. 5:8;
Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 9:27).
This universal and personal fact should constantly influence and
shape our attitude toward the present. Each of us lives on the edge
of a future that is continuously devouring the present and entombing
it in the past.
2. Q When will believers receive their resurrection bodies?
A Believers in the church age, both living and dead, will receive
their resurrection bodies when Christ returns at the rapture--that
time when He comes back to catch up living believers and conclude the
church age (1 Cor. 15:52-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). Old Testament
believers will receive their resurrection bodies immediately following
the great tribulation (Dan. 12:1-3).
These new bodies will last forever. Our present struggles to
cope with the problems of disease, handicap, and physical appearance
are temporary inconveniences, not permanent injustices.
3. Q When will Christ return to catch up believers and conclude the
church age?
A It may take place at any moment, at a time when many will not
expect Him (Matt. 24:44). Therefore, we should always be ready (Matt.
24:45-25:30) and living in such a way that we will not be ashamed when
Jesus returns (1 John 2:28-3:3).
4. Q What will take place on earth in the absence of the church?
A The world will go through a time of confusion and distress marked
by the rise of a world ruler depicted in Scripture as the "beast",
"man of sin", and "Antichrist", who will blaspheme God's name and
persecute all who turn to Jesus (2 Thess. 2:1-12; 1 John 4:1-3; Rev.
13:1-18). While he is violently opposing God, he and the rest of
mankind will experience supernatural judgments from heaven (Rev. 6-
19). He will be defeated by Christ Himself at His return (Rev. 19:11-
21).
5. Q Why will God send supernatural judgments on the earth during this
time?
A God will use these judgments to display His wrath against the
wickedness of unrepentant mankind (Is. 13:6-16; Rev. 16:4-21), to lead
a great multitude to saving faith in Christ (Rev. 7:9-17), to bring
about the conversion of the nation of Israel (Ezek. 36;37), and to
bring in a golden age when Israel's promised Messiah will rule as King
of the earth for 1,000 years (Is. 2:1-4; 11:1-10; Jer. 33:14-16; Rom
11:25-27; Rev. 20:1-6).
6. Q How will Christ's earthly kingdom end?
A After 1,000 years, God will release Satan (Rev. 20:7) and give
mankind one more opportunity to choose between obeying Him or the
devil. Multitudes will make the wrong choice and join in one last
rebellion (Rev. 20:8,9). At this time, God will supernaturally defeat
His foes (Rev. 20:9,10), purge the present earth-system with fire (2
Pet. 3:10-13), and assign Satan, fallen angels, and all Christ-
rejecting persons to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Rev.
20:10-15). Then He will create a new heaven and a new earth where
those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will serve
Him forever (Rev. 21:1-22:5).
In this light, our Lord said, "What will it profit a man if he
gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man
give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36,37).
As we conclude, let's remember that right doctrine cannot exist
without love. We can't think rightly unless our thoughts are motivated by
the love of God.
It's easy to forget this. It's hard to remember that knowledge
without love is like a head without a body. Too often, those who know
their doctrine are marked more by self-centeredness and arrogance than by
approachability and love.
Paul knew that while knowledge puffs up, love builds up (1 Cor. 8:1).
He knew that all of the knowledge in the world minus love equals nothing.
He wrote, "Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge...but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2).
Then the apostle went on to describe the love that will show whether
or not we have right thinking. He wrote, "Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it
is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love
never fails" (1 Cor. 13:4-8 NIV). It's love that motivates us to correct
misbelief and to pursue the truth of God.
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Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version, (c) 1979,
1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
"What's So Important about Doctrine" by Richard De Haan.
Copyright 1988 Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Used by Permission.
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