Home Library Visitor History Links Articles Study Media Social Activities

There has been several teaching that love is the basis for unity and not doctrine. The word "love" is used a lot by different people and it means different things to different people. The Bible certainly tells us that we must have love for God, His Son, the church, the Word and love for one another if we are going to remain in fellowship with God and our fellow Christians (Rev. 2:4; I John 4:20-21). This all Bible believers must believe, but when preachers and teachers start teaching that doctrine doesn't make the difference they are getting off base! They are making light of doctrine which in itself is a dangerous error. Paul wrote to Timothy that if one blasphemes doctrine they blaspheme God's name (I Tim. 6:1).

It is simple to take a concordance and follow the scriptures that speak of doctrine and see its prominence in our maintaining a fellowship with God and our fellow-citizens in the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:42 says that the early Christians continued in the apostles doctrine among other things.  The apostles were accused of having filled Jerusalem with doctrine (Acts 5:28). It was doctrine that the people of Athens recognized Paul preaching in the market place (Acts 17:19). Paul said that made them free from sin (Rom. 16:17). In Romans 16:17 it is made clear that it is over doctrinal matters that fellowship is based upon. Why do these "love" preachers preach this passage?

Paul was concerned about younger preachers and what they preached.  Notice these Scriptures to Timothy and to Titus.

I Timothy 1:3 - Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to see that "no other doctrine" be taught.

I Timothy 1:10 - Doctrine is the measure of right and wrong.

I Timothy 4:6 - Preachers and all Christians are to give attendance to doctrine.

I Timothy 4:16 - We are to take heed to and continue in doctrine.

I Tim. 6:3-4 - It is the proud man that thinks lightly of doctrine.

II Timothy 3:10 - Doctrine is put on the same level as love, in examining Paul's life.

II Timothy 3:16 - The inspired scriptures give us doctrine.

II Timothy 4:2 - The preacher must preach doctrine to preach the word of God and fulfill his charge before God.

Titus 1:9 - Elders are to be able by "sound doctrine” to convince the gainsayer.

Titus 2:1 - Our speech is to be sound in doctrine.

Titus 2:7 - We are to show ourselves uncorrupt in doctrine. No error is to be mixed with it.

Titus 2:10 - Christians are to adorn and make attractive doctrine.

These exhortations show us the importance of doctrine in maintaining a right relationship to God and His people.

John, in his second letter and verses 9-10, makes it plain that fellowship with God and brethren is based upon our attitude toward doctrine and those that preach it. We are not to have fellowship with those that teach other doctrine than that we have in the New Testament.

Come on brethren, either learn your Bible and how to teach it or stop calling yourselves teachers and preachers of God's word. James 3:1 says: "My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

Keith Marshall, The Defender, April 1975

Articles1 Articles2 Articles3 Articles4

You Tube Facebook