Doctrine is “a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true.” Biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. False doctrine is any idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s Word. Satan has been intent from the Garden of Eden, on misrepresenting the Word of God and the character of God.
As early as the first century AD, false doctrine was already infiltrating the church, and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors. Paul exhorted his protégé Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flock: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3–4).
As followers of Christ, we have no excuse for remaining ignorant of theology because we have the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) available to us—the Bible is complete. As we “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), we are less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers and false prophets. When we know God’s Word, “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
This Sunday, Matt Soulliere will be addressing this important topic of knowing what Biblical doctrine is, and keeping away from the counterfeit.
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to
https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “ False Doctrine: Can You Tell the Difference?”
Blessings,
Kevin
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