DOCTRINE MATTERS: "THAT FORM OF TEACHING..."

Priests, under the Law of Moses had multiple responsibilities, one of which was to TEACH the people of Israel the Law. Ezekiel stated it as follows: "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” (Ezekiel 44:23). Whenever there was a dispute to be settled, the priests were to settle it according to the standard that God had authorized: the LAW of MOSES. Ezekiel made it clear, "In a dispute they shall take their stand to judge; they shall judge it according to My ordinances...." (Ezekiel 44:24). Teaching is necessary to God's people, but a STANDARD must be taught. Having a STANDARD to settle differences will promote peace and harmony, because knowledge comes through teaching. (cf. Ezra, in Nehemiah 8:8, 12 where, Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, "...translating to give the sense..." so that the people, "...understood the reading...the words which had been made known to them."). A STANDARD provides a means whereby JUSTICE can be administered, because the STANDARD provides the evidence wherein a lawbreaker may be properly charged and punished.

Likewise, the gospel serves as a STANDARD. Stating that the gospel is the STANDARD today in religion does not mean that it cannot be MIS-taught or perverted, for that very thing was done (cf. Galatians 1:6-9). To avoid this perversion, care must be taken to teach exactly what the Lord and His apostles taught. Jesus was given a STANDARD of what He was to teach:

John 8:28 ~ "I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me."

John 12:49-50 ~ "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore, the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

John 14:31 ~ "...but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me." (Jesus gave these words to His apostles; they were the STANDARD).

John 17:8, 14 ~ the words which You gave Me I have given to them...I have given them Your word...".

The "apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42) was taught for a time, then a different doctrine began to be preached, and churches other than the church Jesus built, began to arise. This was a natural fruit of ‘another gospel’. If preachers today would preach EXACTLY what the apostles preached to sinners in the book of Acts, only a Christian would be the result, and there would be no differing denominational bodies as we know today. The STANDARD was called "sound doctrine" by Paul. Paul told Titus to honor this STANDARD:

Titus 1:9 ~ "...holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Paul told Timothy to, "instruct certain men to teach NO OTHER DOCTRINE...". (1 Timothy 1:3).

This is especially true when preaching to one who desires to be saved from his sins. When sinners in the bible asked, "what must I do to be saved", remember there is a STANDARD! Find out what the apostles preached as you read through the book of Acts. THAT will be God's truth, and it will be the "form of doctrine" that will result in freedom from sin. (Romans 6:17-18).

But it is often asked: what about praying for your salvation? Why is a ‘sinner’s prayer’ taught by most preachers today? In reply to this, let it also be asked: WHY ISN'T THE ANSWER THAT THE APOSTLES' GAVE, PREACHED TODAY? Somebody is preaching "another gospel" (re-read Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus was asked, "Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able'." (Luke 13:23-24). Do you understand Jesus’ answer to the question, "Lord, are there few that be saved?” Did Jesus answer few or many? Why is that? Consider as an answer, Paul’s statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, "…because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

What were you preached on how to "call upon the name of the Lord" - THE gospel, or....ANOTHER gospel? (Galatians 1:6-9). If you have been preached "another" answer (gospel); a perversion of the truth, are you not still in your sins? What needs done? Obey the correct "form of doctrine" (Romans 6:17-18). Read, beginning in Acts 2, of the sermon that Peter preached...at the conclusion of that sermon, those sinners, who had crucified Jesus asked him what they needed to do. His answer is in verse 38. Do what they did, and you will be added to the Lord's church. Believing Peter's words, they then DID as Peter commanded, repenting of their sins and was baptized, understanding that those sins were to be washed away. WERE THEY SAVED, AFTER DOING THIS? THEY DID NOT PRAY A PRAYER...WERE THEY SAVED? WHY WON'T THIS SUFFICE TODAY? If a sinner, hears today, the same message as preached by Peter, believes it, repents of his sins, and is baptized, with the understanding that his sins are washed away in baptism....IS THAT SINNER STILL LOST DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT TOLD TO PRAY, NOR DID HE PRAY THE SINNER'S PRAYER? IS THAT SINNER YET IN HIS SINS? It's a matter of doctrine.

"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24

"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 8:18