The Doctrine Police
Dylan Stewart
Name calling is often a go-to response for people who are unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints when discussing the Bible. How long has it been since someone has called you a “legalist” for recognizing the strictness of the New Testament Law (Matthew 5:19; James 2:10)? When is the last time someone called you an “anti” for not supporting something which is not clearly approved in the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19)? The term “doctrine police” is a phrase I heard for the first time just recently to describe those who recognize the importance of abiding in the one true doctrine of Christ. A few months ago, I encountered a preacher who encouraged people to (I’m paraphrasing) stop policing other people’s doctrines and just accept one another as Christians. The vast majority of the world shares a similar attitude when it comes to Christianity, but is this mentality supported by the Scriptures?
Although a significant portion of the religious world claims it does not matter what we believe when it comes to the Bible just as long as we believe in God and Christ, the Bible tells us our doctrine (what we believe, teach, and practice) actually matters. We must worship and serve God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), which means we must do it the exact way God has specified. We also must do everything by the authority Christ has granted us in His Word – “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17), meaning our doctrine is only satisfying to God if it is approved by the Scriptures. Consider the following New Testament passages which explain just how much our doctrine truly matters.
Our doctrine is defined by what the Bible says:
- “All Scriptureis 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Our doctrine is not defined by what man says or wants the Bible to say:
- “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:7-9).
There is only one true doctrine:
- “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16a).
- “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
- “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrineand fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).
The Bible speaks harshly about those not in accord with the one true doctrine of Christ:
- “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3-4).
- “Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
- “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).
- “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).
We must constantly “police” ourselves and others if we want to make it to Heaven.
- “Examine yourselvesas to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5a).
- “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Conclusion
We must not allow anyone to ever lead us to believe our doctrine does not matter. We must always strive to only “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Abiding in sound doctrine is essential to our salvation, so the next time someone calls you a name for “policing other people’s doctrines,” take it as a compliment for doing what Christ requires – “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16). It looks like we actually need more “doctrine police,” doesn’t it?
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The Salvation Army
David Weaks
I wonder how many people know that the Salvation Army is a church. The only time you see them is at Christmas time when the red kettles and bell ringers show up at entrances to shopping malls. How many times have people tossed money into the kettle, accepted the cheery “God bless you!” from the bell ringer, and felt like they have helped a worthy charity? People need to realize that the Salvation Army is not a charity, it is a religion.
The Salvation Army was founded by an English Methodist preacher named William Booth in 1878. Originally, Booth founded the East London Christian Mission in 1865 and later changed the name of the group to the Salvation Army. According to their literature, the mission of the Salvation Army is two-fold, charity and evangelism: “…designed to operate as a religious and charitable corporation’ whose paramount purpose is to lead men and women into a proper relationship with God” (What Is the Salvation Army?, pgs. 8-9).
The Salvation Army is organized, as its name implies, as if it were a military organization. The headquarters is in London, England, and its head is called the “General,” and he has a Chief of Staff who administers his orders to the “Army.” Throughout the world, the Salvation Army is divided into territories, with each territory being overseen by Lieutenant-Commissioners. In the United States, there is a National Commander based in New York (What Is The Salvation Army?, p. 10).
The Bible teaches: That churches of Christ are organized with “saints, bishops, and deacons” (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).
The Salvation Army has a creed book called: The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine, which outlines eleven articles of faith that all “officers” of all ranks must embrace and teach. In doctrine, the Salvation Army is Calvinistic, teaching that a direct operation of the Holy Spirit is necessary to bring the elect to faith (Handbook of Doctrine, p. 185). Further, the Salvation Army teaches that one is saved by grace alone (ibid, p. 185, 189-191), and baptism is not necessary (ibid, p. 186). The church also emphasizes Calvin’s doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity. Ironically, it is clear from their doctrinal writing and their actions that the Salvation Army believes good works are necessary. Otherwise, they wouldn’t place such a premium on social charity.
The Bible teaches: Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but salvation also depends upon obedience to the gospel of Christ (Hebrews 5:8-9). A man is justified by works of obedience and not by faith only (James 2:24). Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
Another element of the Salvation Army is its music. We are all familiar with images of the Salvation Army brass band in movies and television which depict Christmas scenes. The Salvation Army emphasizes the importance of instrumental music in their various services: “music plays an important part in Salvation Army religious work . . . . It is symbolic of the cheerful quality of Salvation Army religion” (What Is the Salvation Army?, p. 25). Along with Instrumental music in worship, women preachers have been commonplace since the beginning of the Salvation Army. William Booth’s wife, Catherine, was the first and most vigorous advocate of women’s ministry.
The Bible teaches: That worship is important and must be in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Only vocal music alone is acceptable in worship to God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The Bible also teaches that public preaching and teaching is not permitted as a work for women (I Corinthians 14:34; I Timothy 2:11-12).
Can a Christian contribute to the Salvation Army? This is a legitimate question that deserves and needs an answer. Doubtless, many people think of the Salvation Army as nothing more than a charitable outlet, much like Goodwill Industries. However, we need to keep in mind that the Salvation Army is a religious movement that happens to have a public charitable arm. It is funded by donations from strangers, as well as government donations, rather than just by the first day of the week contributions of members (I Corinthians 16:1-2). Its doctrines and worship practices are false (Galatians 1:6-9). Therefore, you need to realize that any money that you into the Salvation Army kettle is funding a man-made religion with doctrines and practices that are different than those things taught in the New Testament. Christians are not permitted to bid Godspeed to false teachers (II John 9-10). We are not allowed to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but should rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11).
Resist the urge to put money in the pot of a bell ringer. Better yet, ask the ringer to study the Bible with you. Chances are he knows little about the Bible or his church.
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“Contend Earnestly for the Faith”
(Jude 3)
Mike Johnson
It is clear from the Old Testament that God intended for us to adhere to His Word, and the Scriptures should not be violated (Deut. 4:1-4, 5:32-33; Josh 1:7; Num. 22:18, 24:13; Pb. 4:26-27, 30:5-6; Lev. 18:4-5). Consider now the same concept from the standpoint of the New Testament.
Jude (v. 3) told the early Christians that they should “. . . contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” The Greek word used here means to fight or to contend strenuously in defense of, in this case, “the faith.” It means to “contend about a thing, as a combatant” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). The contending for the faith, with love, is also “earnestly” done, i.e., with might.
It is the “faith” we are to contend for earnestly. In this context, the writer uses the word “faith” in the objective sense, and it refers to the system of faith, i.e., the sum of all that we are to obey and believe (note also Acts 6:7, I Tim. 4:1, Phil. 1:27).
Thus, we are to stand firmly on God’s Word, defend the truth against attacks from false teachers, and obviously, adhere to it ourselves. How do we do that? Do we accomplish this by teaching a doctrine that people can believe anything they want? Do we do this by adding to and taking away from God’s Word? We must “contend earnestly for the faith.” We obey Jude 3 by insisting others follow the pattern of the New Testament, and we must follow the same course of action ourselves. We observe Jude 3 by requiring Bible authority for everything believed, taught, and practiced. We MUST earnestly contend for the faith.
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Exaggeration
Shane Williams
I heard a story recently of a woman who was talking to her preacher. She said, “I have a habit that I know is hurting my example — the habit of exaggeration. I start to tell something and I go on and on enlarging the story. People suspect that it’s not true. I’m trying to overcome the problem. Could you help me?”
The preacher responded, “Let’s talk to the Lord about it.”
She prayed, “Lord, You know I have this habit of exaggeration” At this point the preacher interrupted, “Call it lying and you may get over it!” The woman was deeply convicted and confessed her wrong.
Have you noticed that we often excuse our own sins by giving the more acceptable names? Our bad temper problem, we call “nerves”; our lying, “exaggeration”; being dishonest is called “good business”; gossiping is called the “latest news.”
If we expect to overcome our sins, we must bring them out in the open, call them honestly what they really are, and sincerely repent!
Proverbs 28:13: — “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Let us make sure that when we talk we aren’t blowing things out of proportion. Indeed, “the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things” (Jas. 3:5).
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You Can’t Please Everybody
Jimmy Tuton
I am reminded of an old Spanish parable about a man, a boy, and a donkey. They were all three walking down a dusty road on a hot summer day. Someone passed, and they overheard him say, “Look at those foolish people walking when they could be riding the donkey.” Not wanting to appear foolish, the man and his son climbed on the donkey. They had ridden a short distance when another passerby exclaimed, “Look at the poor donkey carrying those two people. Aren’t they heartless?” At this point, the son climbed down and walked beside the father and the donkey. Then someone said, “Look at that inconsiderate man making that poor little boy walk when he rides.” Upon hearing this, the father and the boy changed places. Still, they had not satisfied their fellow man who said, “Look at the young man riding and that poor old man walking in the heat of the day.”
So the son climbed down. They tied the feet of the donkey to a pole and proceeded to carry the donkey. Everyone then exclaimed, “Look at those foolish, foolish people.”
This only goes to show that you can’t please everybody. Have you ever tried? Strive to please God and stop worrying about what others think.
Centerview Tidings, Vol. 19, No. 19, May 9, 2004
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Sermon
(Audio)
God’s Advice for Senior Citizens
Mike Johnson