The Importance of the Doctrine of Christ

1. We’re using the word “fruitful” here in the sense of making disciples.

1) We know that teaching is very important to making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

2) Hence, we cannot be fruitful without the doctrine/teaching of Christ.

3) Consider John 15:7-8 “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

2. We need to understand that we’re making disciples for CHRIST, not for any other.

1) We certainly don’t teach our own doctrine.

2) Even Jesus Himself said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16).

3) So in teaching Christ’s doctrine we are actually teaching God’s doctrine.

4) Paul wrote in Galatians 1:11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

5) Without the doctrine of Christ, there would be no CHRISTians.

3. It is when this doctrine is obeyed that men become Christians.

1) Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

2) Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

3) It is His doctrine that must be obeyed for one to be saved.

1. The doctrine of Christ also keeps us faithful to Christ.

2. By it we continue in the words of Christ and become disciples indeed to know and be set free by the truth. John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

3. The early Christians faithfulness was characterized by their continuing in the apostles’ doctrine. Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

4. Of course, the apostles doctrine came from Christ. John 15:26-27 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

5. Paul told Timothy that for him to be faithful he had to take heed to the doctrine and continue in it. 1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

6. The scriptures and the scriptures alone provide us with our doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

1. The doctrine of Christ is most important for unity because it is the basis for Christian unity and fellowship.

2. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

3. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 that the basis for our unity resided in the doctrine of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-6 “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

4. Paul told Timothy not to let any others teach a different doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”

5. He also said that those who did not teach the doctrine of Christ were to be withdrawn from. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness… from such withdraw thyself” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

6. John’s teaching was also clear on this line. 2 John 1:9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

7. The basis for Christian unity/fellowship is the doctrine of Christ.