Faith and Grace

There are sixty-four instances of the word “doctrine” in Scripture according to the Jubilee Bible translation.⁵¹

⁵¹ Sixty-four is eight times eight. Eight is the number of new beginnings. Jewish males were circumcised on the eighth day, and if we count the seven days of the week, the eighth day marks the beginning of a new week, etc. Eight times eight means the fullness of the consequences of the number eight. This means that the purpose of God’s doctrine in Scripture is to give us a new beginning in Christ and help us all the way to the finish line, which is maturity in Christ.

Deuteronomy 31

30 Then Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song until they were ended.

(1) Deuteronomy 32

1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showers upon the grass.

3 Because I will invoke the name of the LORD, ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

4 The strong One, whose work is perfect: for all his ways are right; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is that they are not his sons; they are a perverse and crooked generation.

6 Do ye thus repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not thy father that has possessed thee? He made thee and established thee.

Moses, the deliverer and lawgiver, is really a shadow or example of Jesus Christ. Here Moses’s doctrine is linked to the name (nature of God) whose work is perfect: for all his ways are right.

(2) 2 Kings 22

14 So Hilkiah, the priest, and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asahiah went unto Huldah, the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe, who dwelt in Jerusalem in the house of doctrine; and they spoke with her.

15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,

16 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read,

17 because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore, my wrath is kindled against this place and shall not be quenched.

18 But to the king of Judah who sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Because thou didst hear the words of the book,

19 and thy heart became tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD when thou didst hear what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become desolate and cursed, and hast rent thy clothes and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

20 Behold, therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

In this second example of the use of the word “doctrine” in Scripture, the word of God flows through a woman (symbolic of an entire congregation or people) out of the house of doctrine (now, of course, it is we believers who are the temple of God). “Doctrine” is not stale or stagnant. It is alive and vibrant (even quick and powerful), taking into account every detail of the past and present situation in regard to both the wicked and to the righteous.

(3) 2 Chronicles 34

21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant of Israel and of Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all the things that are written in this book.

22 Then Hilkiah and those of the king went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the house of doctrine); and they spoke to her to that effect.

Note that Huldah the prophetess is keeper of the wardrobe as well as resident in the house of doctrine. Robes of fine linen represent the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8). It appears, then, that the “wardrobe” is located in the “house of doctrine.”

(4) Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered and said,

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should thy lies make men be silent? Shalt thou mock, and shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean before thine eyes.

5 But oh, that God would speak and open his lips against thee

6 and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For thou dost deserve double according to sound wisdom; and thou dost know that God has forgotten thee because of thine iniquity.

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou come unto the perfection of the Almighty?

There continue to be many who, like Zophar (meaning “hairy” or “rough”) the Naamathite (from the land of “pleasantness”), question whether those who are going through persecution and tribulation for the cause of Jesus Christ really have pure doctrine. Zophar was convinced that Job’s plight must actually be caused by hidden sin. Like many teachers of doctrine today, he was absolutely positive that no one could possibly come unto the perfection (same word as “maturity”) of the Almighty. And yes, on our own we are hopeless sinners. But Jesus Christ is perfect, and he desires to dwell in us and reign from the throne of our heart until our entire being is conformed to his doctrine.

(5) Proverbs 1

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel;

2 to know wisdom and chastening; to understand prudent words;

3 to receive the chastening of prudence, justice, judgment, and equity;

4 to give prudence to the simple, and to the young men knowledge and council.

5 If the wise will hear them, doctrine shall increase, and the man of understanding shall acquire wise counsel:

6 To understand a parable and the interpretation; the words of the wise and their enigmas.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and chastening.

If we will hear and receive the chastening (correction) and wisdom of Father God, then doctrine shall increase.

(6) Proverbs 4

1 Hearken, ye sons, unto the chastening of the father, and pay attention that ye might know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law.

3 For I was my father’s son, tender and unique in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me and said unto me, Sustain thine heart with my words; keep my commandments, and live.

Good doctrine is a matter of life or death, and it is contingent on us receiving the discipline and correction (chastening) of our Heavenly Father.

(7, 8) Proverbs 16

21 The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips shall increase doctrine.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise causes his mouth to be prudent, and with his lips he shall increase doctrine.

Doctrine is not a one-size-fits-all proposition of stale dogmas. When it flows from hearts that are clean and pure, it is a sweet wellspring of life, ever increasing as it comes forth from our lips. Therefore the increase of doctrine has a direct relationship to the spoken word (such as teaching or preaching).

(9) Proverbs 18

1 Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

God does not cause people to go astray. Scripture clearly states: Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone: But each one is tempted, when they are drawn away of their own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren (James 1:13-16). Those who are led astray by their own lust shall meddle with every doctrine. Isn’t this the truth!

(10) Isaiah 28

7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink; they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue he will speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest with which ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

13 But the word of the LORD shall be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken.

It is not possible to teach doctrine to those who are drunk on the wine of their own life or to those who are immature and have not been weaned. The real measure of whether doctrine has been understood is if it has been put into practice in our lives. Either it will build us up precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little, or else the same process will destroy us.

(11) Isaiah 29

18 And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see in the midst of darkness, and of gross darkness.

19 Then the humble shall grow in joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20 For the violent one shall be done away with, and the scorner shall be consumed, and all those that rose early unto iniquity shall be cut off:

21 Those that made men to sin in word; those that laid a snare for him that reproved in the gate, and turned that which is just into vanity.

22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who ransomed Abraham, unto the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale;

23 for he shall see his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel;

24 and those that erred in spirit shall learn understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

There is a day coming, a day that is even on our doorstep, when those who have been “deaf” and “blind” (as are many today in Israel and in the church) will not only hear but will have night vision to see, even in the midst of gross darkness. This is very important if they are to learn doctrine, because sound doctrine is not only to be heard but must also be seen and observed in order to be fully effective.

(12) Jeremiah 10

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7 Who would not fear thee, O King of the Gentiles? for unto thee does it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the Gentiles and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

8 But they shall become altogether carnal and foolish. The stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Those who will not tune their ear to hear and open their eyes to see shall become altogether carnal and foolish. This results in a stock (a root or stem) that is a doctrine of vanities (thus, it is totally worthless).

This is the twelfth and final reference to the word “doctrine” in the Old Testament.⁵²

⁵² Twelve can be symbolic of divine order or of man’s order. The Old Testament ended with the collapse of man’s order (man’s doctrine) that had been imposed by the Jews, as the New Testament came forth under divine order (under the doctrine of Jesus Christ).

(13) Matthew 7

24 Therefore, whosoever hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock;

25 and the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that hears these words of mine and does not do them shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand;

27 and the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these words, the multitude marvelled at his doctrine;

29 for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Jesus began his ministry with the Sermon on the Mount, led by the beatitudes. His message ended with a concrete example: a house built upon rock (those that hear Jesus’ words and do them) that could stand in the midst of any adversity, contrasted with a house built upon sand (those that hear his words but fail to do them) that fell with a great loss. This is Jesus’ doctrine.

(14) Matthew 15

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth and honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.

Doctrines and commandments of men do not contain the grace (power) to change anyone’s heart.

(15) Matthew 16

5 And when his disciples were coming from the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and keep yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves that ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread that ye should keep yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then they understood that he bade them not to keep themselves from the leaven of bread, but from the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

In the sense that the meaning of this word “doctrine” is developing from its use by God throughout Scripture, it is now clear that doctrine not only includes intellectual teaching but is also clearly linked to the example of the person(s) conducting the instruction.

(16) Matthew 22

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which is spoken unto you by God, who saith,

32 I AM the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Jesus’ doctrine includes this dynamic, spot-on, overwhelming reply to the Sadducees who claimed to not believe in resurrection.

(17) Mark 1

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,

24 saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be silent, and come out of him.

26 And the unclean spirit tore him and cried with a loud voice and came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? for he commands the unclean spirits with power, and they obey him.

Jesus’ doctrine is dynamic, being backed by unlimited power and authority over everyone and everything.

(18) Mark 4

1 And he began again to teach by the sea side, and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

2 And he taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine,

3 Hearken; Behold, the sower went out to sow;

Jesus’ doctrine includes many parables or enigmas with deeper meaning.

(19) Mark 7

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat bread with unwashed hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well has Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they honor me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Many continue to honor him in vain because the doctrines they still teach are the commandments of men.

(20) Mark 11

17 And he taught them, saying, Is it not written that my house shall be called house of prayer by all the nations? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

18 And the scribes and the princes of the priests heard it and sought how they might kill him, for they feared him because all the multitude was astonished at his doctrine.

The multitude was astonished at Jesus’ doctrine, but the scribes and princes of the priests feared him and sought how they might kill him.

(21) Mark 12

38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing and love the salutations in the marketplaces

39 and the first chairs in the synagogues and the first seats at the suppers,

40 which devour widows’ houses and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater judgment.

Jesus’ doctrine was obviously making the scribes extremely uncomfortable, and even today it will still make most religious leaders squirm.

(22) Luke 4

32 And they were astonished at his doctrine, for his word was with power.

33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon and cried out with a loud voice,

34 saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art: the Holy One of God.

35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be silent and come out of him. And the demon, throwing him down in the midst, came out of him and hurt him not.

36 And they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, What word is this! For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.

Jesus’ doctrine has power and authority over the Devil and all his minions.

(23, 24) John 7

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How does this man know letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17 If anyone desires to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory, but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Jesus’ doctrine did not come from studying “letters” at some human school of higher learning. His doctrine comes directly from God the Father, and it continues to flow from the mouths of those who are clean and who seek the glory of him that sent them.

(25) John 18

19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather; and I have said nothing in secret.

Jesus spoke (and continues to speak) openly, but not everyone understands the parables of his doctrine, for he only explains them to his disciples who have left everything to follow him. The high priest certainly did not understand.

There are thirteen references to the word “doctrine” in the Gospels.⁵³

⁵³ Thirteen is symbolic of the Kingdom of God or of rebellion. Jesus’ ministry proclaimed the kingdom, and the religious leaders rebelled. When added to the twelve references in the Old Testament, this brings the total to twenty-five, which is five multiplied by five. Five is symbolic of God’s grace and mercy. Twenty-five is symbolic of the consequences of God’s grace and mercy, namely the gift of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel.

(26) Acts 2

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together and had all things common

45 and sold their possessions and property and distributed them to everyone, as each one had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food together with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 praising God and having grace with all the people. And the Lord added to the congregation daily such as should be saved.

The apostles (“sent ones”) are those disciples whom Jesus authorized, commissioned, and sent out to represent him. Jesus said that anyone who receives those that he sends receives him and that those who receive him also receive his Father who sent him (Matthew 10:40). Note that the apostles’ doctrine is paired with fellowship (communion with Jesus and his Father and with one another by the Spirit).

(27) Acts 5

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council, and the prince of the priests asked them,

28 saying, Did we not strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We must persuade God rather than men.

Those of the council (Sanhedrin) did not understand very much concerning the doctrine of the apostles, but they did understand that it condemned them for having sentenced Jesus to death.

(28) Acts 13

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain wise man, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus,

7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the wise man (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

9 Then Saul (who also is Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him

10 and said, O full of all deception and all licentiousness, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is against thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

The power and authority of the doctrine of the Lord, as demonstrated not only by the words but also by the actions and behavior of Paul (who was filled with the Holy Spirit), left the Roman proconsul so astonished and motivated that he became a believer.

(29) Acts 17

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? others, He seems to be a setter forth of new gods, because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine is, of which thou speakest?

When Paul was given the opportunity to preach in Athens at the Areopagus (Mars Hill), some mocked, some wanted to hear him speak again, and others believed (Acts 17:34) because the true doctrine or word of the Lord does not return void.

(30) Romans 6

17 Thank God that, although ye were the slaves of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine unto which ye are delivered;

18 and freed from sin, ye are become the slaves of righteousness.

Even when we are the slaves of sin, this does not prevent us from obeying from the heart the form of doctrine (the direct word of the Lord) unto which we are delivered. For if we hear and obey what God says, we will be freed from sin so that we can become the slaves of righteousness. True doctrine must be obeyed from the heart in order for us to be delivered, and it will not just be an intellectual exercise; obeying it will compel us unto righteousness.

(31) Romans 12

6 So that having different gifts according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, according to the measure of faith;

7 or ministry, in serving; or he that teaches, in doctrine;

Being able to teach in doctrine is a gift according to the grace that is given us from God. Intellectual learning alone will not suffice.

(32) Romans 16

17 And I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause dissensions and offences outside of the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.

18 For they that are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by smooth words and blessings deceive the hearts of the simple.

The doctrine which we have learned is not just mental acknowledgment, for if we have truly learned, our behavior will be modified accordingly. Those who serve their own belly will cause dissensions and offences and will always be outside of sound doctrine. However, their smooth words and blessings continue to deceive the hearts of the simple.

(33) 1 Corinthians 2

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that God has given us.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but with doctrine of the Holy Spirit, jointly fitting spiritual things by spiritual means.

14 But the natural man does not perceive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he is discerned by no one.

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is not expressed in the words which man’s wisdom teaches. The natural man cannot even understand the things of the Spirit of God, so human theologians who rely on their natural wisdom are very prone not only to misuse Scripture but also to introduce terminology that God does not use in Scripture, as they define God on their own terms and shoehorn bits and pieces of Scripture into the mold of their preconceived dogmas.

(34, 35) I Corinthians 14

6 Now, brothers, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either with revelation or with knowledge or with prophecy or with doctrine.

Here doctrine is considered to be of the same category as revelation, or (word of) knowledge, or prophecy, all of which definitely require inspiration from God.

26 How is it then, brothers? when ye come together, each one of you has a psalm, has doctrine, has tongues, has revelation, has interpretation. Let all things be done unto edification.

Here again it is clear that the sharing of doctrine is something that happens as the Holy Spirit moves the person.

(36) Ephesians 4

14 That we no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive,

15 but following the truth in charity, let us grow up into him in all things, who is the head, the Christ:

“Children” in the faith lack maturity and discernment and may initially be blindsided by deception in the form of every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness. If we follow the truth in charity (the redemptive love of God), however, we will grow up into maturity in the Christ, who is our head.

(37) Colossians 2

20 For if ye are dead with the Christ to the elements of the world, why, as though living unto the world, do ye decree rites,

21 touch not; taste not; handle not?

22 Which all perish with the using, because they are the commandments and doctrines of men,

23 which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility and neglecting of the body, but they have absolutely no value against the appetites of the flesh.

If we are truly dead with Christ to the elements of the world, then we have no business coming up with rites and rituals on our own, because they are but commandments and doctrines of men. Note that the commandments and doctrines of men have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility and neglecting the body, but they have absolutely no value against the appetites of the flesh. Therefore we should ask ourselves: Is the doctrine that we hold effective against the appetites of the flesh?

(38) 2 Thessalonians 2

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and retain the doctrine which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle.

We are to stand fast and retain the doctrine which we have been taught by those who have truly been sent by God, whether by word or by epistle (writing).

(39) 2 Thessalonians 3

6 Now we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks out of order, and not after the doctrine which ye received of us.

7 For you know in what manner you ought to imitate us, for we did not walk disorderly among you,

Here someone that walks out of order, and not after the doctrine which ye received of us is someone who walks disorderly, that is, someone who doesn’t “walk the talk” and fails to practice what they preach (i.e., someone wallowing in hypocrisy and sin). It does not refer to honest debate according to the conviction of conscience (or to splitting hairs on an intellectual level)

(40, 41) 1 Timothy 1

3 Even as I besought thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou might charge some that they not teach diverse doctrine,

4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which generate questions other than that the edification of God is by faith.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned:

6 from which some, having swerved, have turned aside unto vanity of words,

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor from where they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it legitimately,

9 knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly sinners, for the evil and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

No one is to teach diverse doctrine. “Diverse doctrine” means different or differing doctrine, whereas we are to hold to sound doctrine. It is very interesting to note that the things listed here as contrary to sound doctrine are not what most of us would consider to be theological positions. Rather, they are fatal moral positions having to do with persons exhibiting behavior (or condoning behavior) that is completely abhorred and rejected by God. Such people are the lawless and disobedient, the ungodly sinners, the evil and profane, murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, manslayers, fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, and perjured persons.

(42, 43, 44) 1 Timothy 4

1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, listening to spirits of error and doctrines of demons;

2 that in hypocrisy shall speak lies; having their conscience seared as with a hot iron;

3 they shall forbid to marry and shall command men to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have known the truth.

4 For everything that God created is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving,

5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If thou put these things before the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, unto which thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

9 The Word is faithful and worthy of acceptation by all.

Listening to spirits of error and doctrines of demons is linked with forbidding marriage and commanding men to abstain from foods. Those who are nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine believe that everything that God has created is good and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

16 Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; be diligent in this, for in doing so thou shalt both save thyself and those that hear thee.

Paul wrote that the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, listening to spirits of error and doctrines of demons. Here in the forty-fourth reference to the word “doctrine” in Scripture, Timothy is admonished to take heed unto himself and unto the doctrine. This is of extreme importance not only for the salvation of Timothy but also for the salvation of those who would hear him. Church history is littered with the wreckage caused by those who have refused to take this warning seriously.

(45) 1 Timothy 5

17 Let the elders that govern well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.

Under the Law of Moses, the eldest son was to receive a double portion of the inheritance. Jesus Christ, as the heir to the New Testament, is more than worthy of a double portion of the inheritance from the Father (an inheritance which has to do with the Holy Spirit). In fact, Jesus received the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). It is worth noting that the elders that govern well (i.e., those who have come to maturity in Christ) are to be counted worthy of double honour here in this life and that this is especially true of those who labour in the word and doctrine.

It is clear that doctrine is closely linked to the word, not to the letter that kills but to the vibrant, living word that flows from the Spirit and brings life, health, salvation, and victory.

(46, 47) 1 Timothy 6

1 Let all that are under the yoke of slavery count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine not be blasphemed.

2 And those that have faithful masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren, but rather serve them better, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. Teach and exhort this.

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but is driven mad concerning questions and controversy of words, of which comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 perverse disputings of men of corrupt understanding, and destitute of the truth, using piety as a source of gain: from such withdraw thyself.

Even when we are up against something as evil as slavery, we are still called to overcome evil with good. The doctrine which is according to godliness does not promote making people feel sorry for themselves. Jesus Christ, the author and creator of the universe, came to earth and was born as a man into the midst of a human race that was hopelessly enslaved to the flesh and to sin. He overcame the flesh (and even death) by a way that the Devil knew nothing about (the way of the cross in humility) and set the example for us to follow. This is the doctrine that we are to hold dear and, if we do, it will ensure that the name of God and his doctrine will not be blasphemed.

(48) 2 Timothy 3

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, persecutions I have endured, and the Lord delivered me out of them all.

This Scripture seems to convey the idea that along with and in the midst of the persecutions and afflictions which came unto Paul at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, he also received a substantial increment in doctrine, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, and patience. It is extremely interesting to note that doctrine is at the head of this list.

(49) 2 Timothy 3

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

There is no concise and universal doctrinal statement of faith recorded in Scripture that supersedes everything else for all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (and doctrine is at the head of this list).⁵⁴

⁵⁴ This is the forty-ninth use of the word “doctrine” in Scripture (according to the Jubilee Bible translation), and it is very clear by now that the doctrine Paul is writing about is the implementation of the living, breathing, powerful word of the Lord in our lives and in the lives of others by the Holy Spirit. This is so that the man of God may be perfect (same word as “mature” and similar to the word for “elder”), thoroughly furnished unto all good works. These are the good works, which God has prepared that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10b).

(50, 51) 2 Timothy 4

1 I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead in his appearing and in his kingdom:

2 Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, they shall heap up unto themselves teachers who shall speak to them according to their own lusts,

4 and thus they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall return unto fables.

Knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ will judge the living and the dead according to their works (Revelation 20:12,13), and knowing that our own works cannot save us or anyone else, Paul exhorts Timothy never to let his guard down but always to be ready, in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. It is absolutely essential that at the judgment, evidence of the redemptive work of Jesus be found in us and through us. According to God’s use of the word, “doctrine” is where the rubber meets the road. Sound doctrine is where the word of God comes forth in the power of the Holy Spirit and is implemented in our character and being.

Those who have itching ears and who heap up unto themselves teachers who shall speak to them according to their own lusts shall thus turn away their ears from the truth and return unto fables. This includes speculation, conjecture, assumptions, and use of terminology that is not set forth in Scripture, in a manner that does not have the witness of the Holy Spirit. When this happens, the power and authority of God will not back the unsound doctrine, and therefore the personal lives of these false teachers will never be clean and holy. They will always be found covered by the hypocrisy of one another instead of by the righteousness of Christ.

(52, 53) Titus 1

5 For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou should correct that which is lacking and set in place elders in every city, as I had commanded thee:

6 He who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children who can not be accused of dissoluteness, nor insubordinate.

7 For the bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God; not arrogant, not quick to anger, not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain,

8 but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, temperate, just, holy, gentle,

9 holding fast the doctrine according to the faithful word, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10 For there are many insubordinate and vain talkers and deceivers of souls, especially those of the circumcision,

11 whose mouths it is expedient to stop, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain.

For someone to have spiritual responsibility regarding others, it is not enough for them to know sound doctrine. They and their family need to be examples of it if they are to effectively exhort others and convince the gainsayers. It comes back to what Jesus said, that by their fruits (that is, their godly character) ye shall know them (Matthew 7:20). This is the result of sound doctrine according to the way God uses this word.

(54, 55, 56) Titus 2

1 But speak thou the things which are expedient unto sound doctrine,

2 that the aged men be temperate, venerable, prudent, sound in faith, in charity, in tolerance.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of honesty;

4 that they may teach the young women to be prudent, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 to be temperate, chaste, good housekeepers, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be temperate;

7 in all things showing thyself as an example of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, seriousness, purity,

8 sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that the adversary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort slaves to be subject to their own masters and to please them well in all things; not contradicting;

10 not defrauding, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Wow! This is quite a list of things that are expedient unto sound doctrine and that affect everyone in society, from the elderly of both sexes to young women, young men, and even “slaves.” No matter what type of bondage or exploitation we are subject to (and our modern world is still full of this type of thing), and no matter how great an evil injustice we are facing, we are to do everything possible to overcome evil with good, and we are promised that this attitude and behavior on our part will adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. In other words, this can be the key to reaching very difficult people for Jesus Christ.

(57) Hebrews 6

1 Therefore, leaving now the word of the beginning of the establishment of the Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from works of death, and of faith in God,

2 of the doctrine of the baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

What is the doctrine of the baptisms?

John the Baptist said, I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

Please note that this doctrine is part of the foundation necessary to go on to perfection (maturity). It’s not some dry intellectual theological dogma. Instead, it’s a dynamic doctrine, full of power, authority, cleansing, and victory.

(58) Hebrews 13

9 Be not taken out of the way with diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with foods which have not profited those that have been occupied with them.

Diverse and strange doctrines attempt to split into warring factions what should be a unanimous priesthood of all believers. If our hearts are conditioned, established, and fed with diverse and strange doctrines (“diverse| means “different” or “differing”, and “strange” means that they did not come from God), the consequences can be anywhere between not profiting from these doctrines to being completely taken out of the way.

If we consider church history over the past two thousand or so years and look at all the doctrinal “foods” that have been fed into the hearts of the people, how many of these foods have not profited those that have been occupied with them? (I understand “not profited” to mean that there has been no real gain in personal godliness or in terms of a harvest of souls, as a result of using these doctrinal foods.) How many people have been taken out of the way by diverse and strange doctrines? (Being “taken out of the way” means that serious, lasting, eternal damage has taken place and that the doctrine in question is mortal poison and not just a waste of time.)

The Devil tends to start by bombarding us with seemingly innocent diverse doctrines that at first don’t seem all that strange. He does this just to see if he can get us to waste time so that we will not be as productive for God. If successful in distracting our attention and beginning to wean us from the grace of God, he introduces the strange doctrines that are the real poison. Voluntarily ingesting only a small dose of his poison (that is, of his lies) can be enough to plunge our personal life and public ministry into a sharp spiritual nose dive, even as the Devil showers us with the prosperity of this world, surrounds us with worldly counselors steeped in flattery, and replaces our vertical accountability directly to God with horizontal “covering” by fellow religious hypocrites.

If we truly belong to God, our Heavenly Father will not just sit idle while the Devil seduces us. Sooner or later, God will intervene with strong correction, and we may be very surprised at the magnitude of the “reality check.” God always seems to cover honest mistakes (even though they can be very painful), and he can even recover us from dishonest mistakes if we continue to submit to his authority. Dishonest mistakes are where we deliberately go against what we know for sure to be the word of God; this literally opens the door for Satan to wreak havoc. Those who continue to repeat dishonest mistakes will not end well.

(59, 60, 61) 2 John 1

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh. This same is a deceiver and antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we not lose those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a fulfilled reward.

9 Whosoever rebels and does not abide in the doctrine of the Christ, does not have God. He that abides in the doctrine of the Christ, the same has the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes unto you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house neither say unto him, Welcome:

11 For he that says unto him, Welcome, is partaker of his evil deeds.

Many wonder where we should draw the line, doctrinally, regarding whom we should fellowship with and whom we should not. Here the apostle John sets forth the case, based on doctrine, regarding whom “the chosen lady and her sons” should not receive in their house nor even welcome.

This warning, that we not lose those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a fulfilled reward, is prefaced by a reference that many deceivers are entered into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh and that this same is a deceiver and antichrist. This refusal to confess Jesus can take several forms. Some deny that God came in the flesh as a man. Some think that Jesus was a good man but that he was not God. Some totally deny that a historical Jesus ever existed. Some deny that this same Jesus who ascended into heaven will return in like manner. Some, however, can agree with all of the above and still qualify as a deceiver and antichrist because they deny that Jesus can come and live in our hearts and that by the Spirit we can put to death the deeds of our flesh so that we might live (Romans 8:13).

The preface “anti” in Greek does not mean “the opposite of.” It means “counterfeit.” An antichrist is a counterfeit christ. An antichrist will always be a “man of sin” because he denies that God offers us the possibility of victory over sin, over the world, and over the Devil in the real doctrine of the Christ. Any socalled “Christian” who rebels and does not abide in the doctrine of the Christ does not have God. Therefore, it would be much safer for us to extend hospitality to an unbeliever who doesn’t even claim to know God than to invite a religious person into our house who misrepresents God by denying the victory that Jesus won on the cross and all of its implications for us.

(62, 63, 64) Revelation 2

12 And to the angel of the congregation in Pergamos write; These things, saith he, who has the sharp sword with two edges:

13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is, and thou holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith, even in those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness,⁵⁵ who was slain among you, where Satan dwellest.

14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.

16 Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

⁵⁵ or martyr.

Balaam was a prophet who heard directly from God and who prided himself in only saying the word that God would put in his mouth (Numbers 22:38). As far as the Scripture is concerned, all the words that Balaam prophesied seem to be the words that he heard directly from God. Balaam, however, was a false prophet, not because his prophecies were not true but because his heart was not true. When the prophet angered Moabite King Balac by blessing Israel three times after the king had hired him to curse them, Balaam wanted to appease Balac’s anger. He also wanted to get the large reward that he had been promised. So Balaam counseled Balac to send Moabite women into the Israelite camp, with the object of contaminating Israel with idolatry and fornication so that the blessing of God over Israel would be made of no effect and Balac would be able to win the battle against them. This plan backfired, however, when young Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, took a spear and put an end to the fornication. When the battle was subsequently joined, Balaam was one of the casualties (Numbers 31:8).

The doctrine of Balaam was also being perpetrated by the Christian congregation at Pergamos. This means that people were achieving personal financial gain by prophesying words that they heard from the Lord. This type of thing still seems to be happening today, with the same results (contaminating the people of God by idolatry and fornication).

Pergamos also had trouble with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Nico means “to conquer,” and laitans means “the people”. Under the New Covenant, God’s people are to be under the direct control of God by the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is what happens when men usurp the place of God and conquer the people under their own control with a human hierarchy. True godly ministry has the purpose of joining the people directly to God. Jesus wants us to know his Father, and the Father chastens all of his sons whom he loves. True shepherds of God’s people know that the shepherd’s rod (representing authority and discipline) has two ends. The crook is to steady the sheep so they can be ministered to, and the straight end is for beating off the wolves (not beating the sheep).

The Enemy was attacking the congregation at Pergamos with the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, and these two false doctrines have caused serious problems among the people of God for quite some time now. God, however, does not ignore those fomenting these doctrines. He instructs us to repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. The old English word quickly is more in line with the meaning of our modern word suddenly, in that God has a great deal of patience and a reputation for giving people a long time to repent, but when he does decide to lower the boom, it happens suddenly.

18 And unto the angel of the congregation in Thyatira write; These things, saith the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet like unto brilliant metal:

19 I have known thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel (who calls herself a prophetess) to teach and to seduce my slaves to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I have given her time to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the congregations shall know that I AM he that searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.

24 But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine and who have not known the depths of Satan (as they say); I will put upon you no other burden

25 But that which ye have already hold fast until I come.

Thyatira means “the aroma of persecution” (or tribulation). Being in the fire of intense persecution or tribulation is normally enough to keep God’s people pure and clean. Therefore, the church at Thyatira basically has a very good report except for one problem: Jezebel.

Balaam, who actually had a prophetic gift from God but used it with a corrupt heart for personal gain, is quite different from Jezebel (who only called herself a prophetess) because one of her real purposes is to cause her spiritual offspring to know the depths of Satan. Balaam tries to maintain his relationship and role as a mouthpiece for God by only prophesying exactly what he has heard from God verbatim, while at the same time suggesting to a crestfallen Balac that the king seduce Israel with idolatry and loose women. In this way, the blessing that Balaam had felt obligated to pronounce on behalf of God would not prosper (and therefore Balaam could receive money and honor from Balac for thwarting Israel). Jezebel does not have a relationship with God; hers is with the Devil. She not only uses idolatry and fornication, she is a direct and central participant. Her marriage with Ahab, the king of Israel, was a sham, for her very name means “she does not cohabit” (with her husband). She loves fornication and adultery instead.

The doctrine of Balaam attempts to use God for personal gain, whereas the doctrine of Jezebel uses the supernatural power of the Devil and attempts to destroy and take the place of any true prophet of the Lord. Satan and his cohorts like Jezebel have spent the past six millennia killing God’s prophets and persecuting his people (such as the congregation at Thyatira) with great tribulation, but things are beginning to change and the tide is now turning.

Soon Jezebel will be cast into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her will be thrown into great tribulation (unless they repent of their deeds). Remember that in prophecy, a woman can represent an entire group (think of how many people are represented by the “bride” of Christ). Remember that prophetically the Devil can also have a “wife” and “sons,” just like wicked Haman in the Book of Esther. So the tribulation caused by Satan and his minions upon the people of God is drawing to a close, and another period of great tribulation is beginning as God decides to lower the boom on Jezebel and her adulterous partners and kill all her (spiritual) bastard children unless they repent.

This is the final use of the word “doctrine” in Scripture.