Doctrine (Latin: doceo; Greeek: didaskalia; ) means teaching, or what is taught. This is very important to the disciple for at least two reasons. First, to keep the disciple from being misled into false doctrine, and secondly, to prepare the disciple to be able to give an answer to the hope that is within.1 In other words, regarding what we believe and teach, doctrine is both defensive and offensive.
The early teaching of the church consisted of three essential doctrines. The apostles taught that our Lord Jesus was the Christ, He rose from the dead, and that Salvation was by faith in His Name and His Sacrificial Work.2 Paul confirms this clearly when he wrote to the Corinthian church regarding the most important things that was the gospel of Jesus Christ.3 Later the church adopted what is now known as the Apostles' Creed. It states:
"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He arose from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from where He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Christian Church; the communion of the saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen"
One additional doctrinal truth that is not referred to in the Apostle's Creed is that Jesus came to be King on earth and establish His Kingdom.
Arguments have arisen over various aspects of this document but the truth of each statement is an overview of the essential teachings of the Christian faith. All disciples should study and digest each principle in the Creed so we may know and bear witness to what we believe. See eLighthouse Basic Bible Studies for fundamental doctrinal studies.
On the flip side, there have been from the beginning of the Christian church those who would pervert the truth, power, and message of the gospel. Our day is no different. We are in a spiritual war of light against darkness, truth against lie, gospel against false gospel. Beware! Know the Truth. It makes us free.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 2:14-36, Acts 5:29-32, Acts 7:2-53, Acts 13:16-41, Acts 14:15-17, Acts 17:22-31
1 Timothy 1:10, 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:3
2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 4:3
Titus 1:9, Titus 2:1
Jude 3
1. Ephesians 4:14, 1 Peter 3:15
2. Acts 3:18, Acts 1:22, Acts 2:24, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:16
3. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
