Paul wrote to Titus in Titus 1:10-11, about false teachers saying, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”
What things were not to be taught? Paul went on to tell Titus how to deal with false teachers. “Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth”
How can you turn from the truth if you can’t define what truth is?
Paul warned Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:1-4, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...”
What about people’s attitude toward ‘sound doctrine’ today? Is ‘sound doctrine’ desired?
Do people refuse ‘sound doctrine’ on how to "call upon the name of the Lord"; on divorce & remarriage ONLY if fornication has been committed? What about ‘sound doctrine’ on abortion, homosexuality, gambling, drinking, etc.?
Are there those today who want a preacher who will NOT condemn their ungodly lifestyles?
Are there also preachers who are afraid to preach ‘sound doctrine’ on these matters for fear of loss of employment?
These passages clearly teach that truth can be known, and if it can be known, then it can be understood; and if it can be understood, it can be agreed upon!
DOES DOCTRINE MATTER?
Can a sinner be preached the WRONG thing in regard to salvation from sin?
Is is possible to be preached a lie, in regard to the new birth? [John 3:3-5]
Consider this as well...if someone heard error preached in regard to 'WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED'…would he be saved?
In view of the fact that Satan does not want anyone to be saved, we have many warnings such as the apostle Paul’s about how Satan’s ministers transform themselves into apostles of Christ.
False teachers existed in Jesus’ day, they existed in the apostles’ day, and they exist today. THAT is why doctrine matters! It is why ALL who preach, MUST teach ONLY what Jesus commanded to be taught in order for sins to be forgiven.
Yes, it is true that all must come to Jesus, or ‘call upon the name of the Lord’; but the question that needs to be given careful study is, HOW DO YOU CALL?
What did Jesus teach on it? What did His apostles teach?
Which way of "calling" does the Bible teach…by sincere prayer or by faith and obedience?
Which of these two is ‘sound doctrine’?
There is a "form" of doctrine that corresponds to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is NOT until that FORM OF DOCTRINE is both preach AND obeyed, that a sinner will be "made free" from his/her sins (Romans 6:17-18).
Which do you find taught AND followed in the book of Acts?
This is why Jesus said:
"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24
"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 6:38
Because DOCTRINE MATTERS!
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