3.14 Importance of Sound Doctrine                                

 

1. Does it matter what a person believes, as long as he is sincere?
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

 

2. Did Joshua consider it indifferent which God he served?
Joshua 24:14-15
14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

3. How may we determine the truthfulness of a doctrine?
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

 

4. By what should we test or prove every doctrine?
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

 

5. Of what kinds of doctrine should we beware?
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

 

6. What is “wind of doctrine”?
Jeremiah 5:13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

 

7. For what is all Scripture profitable?
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:

 

8. What counsel was given to Timothy as he prepared for the ministry of the gospel?
1 Timothy 4:13-16
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
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.

 

9. What solemn charge was given to him regarding his public ministry?
2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

10. Why did the apostle say that this duty was so necessary?
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

11. What similar admonition did Titus receive?
Titus 2:1-7
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

 

12. What does sound doctrine enable the faithful teacher to do?
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

13. What is the danger of teaching false doctrine?
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
14. Who are Jesus' disciples, and what glorious work does the truth do for those who receive Him?
John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

15. By what means are they to be sanctified?
John 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.

 

16. What kind of worship is the result of false teaching?
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

17. Can we close our ears to the truth and remain innocent before God?
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

 

18. What did Christ say about those who want to do God's will?
John 7:17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Psalms 25:9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

19. What will God allow to happen to those who reject the truth?
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

20. By what teachings will some be deceived in the last days?
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

 

21. What fate awaits blind leaders and their followers?
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

 

22. To whom will the gates of the heavenly city eventually be opened?
Isaiah 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.