What is Doctrine Part I - Definition of the Doctrine

What is doctrine? We may have heard this word being used by many different Christian denominations. And the word “doctrine” seems to refer to a set of beliefs in that particular Christian denomination, that is, the teachings in the Bible that the denomination deems important. However, we see many differences in the doctrines across all Christian denominations. Are doctrines simply differing opinions about what is important in the Bible, then? What is “doctrine” according to the Bible?

A. “Doctrine” in New Testament Greek

To explore the idea of “doctrine” in the Bible, we can first look into the original word in Greek. The Greek words for “doctrine” are “διδαχή (didache)” or “διδασκαλία (didaskalia)”. These two words can both be translated as “teaching” or “doctrine”. An example of this can be seen in (Acts 2:42), which says the church obeyed the apostles’ doctrines. Another word that is used in the New Testament to describe the same concept is “δόγμα (dogmata)”, which is translated as “decree”. An example of this can be found in (Acts 16:4), which mentions that the apostles delivered the decrees to the churches.

We see that these three words describe the same idea – the set of beliefs that the church holds. Therefore, we can be certain of one thing: the apostolic church upheld some doctrines and decrees. The apostolic church was not doctrineless. But what did the doctrines or decrees mean to the apostolic church?

B. What “doctrines” meant to the apostolic church

1) Doctrines are the common faith of the church

Holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching (διδαχή didache), so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine (διδασκαλία didaskalia) and to refute those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9 NKJV)

The doctrines were the common understanding of the word of God

In the letter of Paul written to Titus, Paul spoke of the criteria for an overseer in the church. The overseer must be able to hold firmly to the faithful word and also be able to refute those who contradict the doctrines. What are the faithful word and the doctrines mentioned here? We can find these in the opening of the letter:

But at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, my true son in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:3-4 NKJV)

Paul said in this passage that he was entrusted with the word of Christ (which is the doctrine, according to John 7:16). And this word that Paul was entrusted with was the common faith he had with Titus. This means they believed in the same doctrines, the word of Christ.

The doctrines were also the common faith (the same faith) throughout the church as well. We can see this in the criteria mentioned for an overseer: they needed to hold firmly to the faithful word (the doctrines) and defend it. This tells us that the understanding of the word of God was the same throughout the apostolic church, and this same understanding was defined by the doctrines they had received. This was why the workers in the church needed to uphold this understanding and defend it, so that it may not be altered and remain the same. The doctrines were the common faith of the church.

We see that this common faith is mentioned in other parts of the Scriptures as well. In his letter to the Ephesian members, Paul wrote about the apostolic church’s faith: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5 NKJV). This tells us that there was only one faith in the church. There was one common understanding in the Word of God.

Therefore, when we see every denomination in the world having different doctrines, it is in fact, not biblical. The understanding of the word of God ought to be the same in the church.

2) Doctrines are the decrees that must be obeyed

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees (δόγμα dogmata) to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. (Acts 16:4 NKJV)

In the context of the above-mentioned passage, Paul and Silas were passing through the cities to deliver the letter from the Council at Jerusalem, which instructed the believers to abstain from “things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality” (Acts 15:29). We see that this letter was referred to as “the decrees to keep” (Acts 16:4), which means that all believers must obey this decision made at the Council at Jerusalem. It was not optional. The doctrines were for all the congregation to follow.

But in the world today, some find following a form of dogma to be very close-minded. We are in a liberal world, and everyone is entitled to their opinions and points of view. This mindset of freedom of opinion was ultimately placed on the doctrines as well: that the doctrines are up for our own interpretations. But are doctrines really simply our own opinions?

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. (Romans 6:17 NKJV)

From the above passage, we see how Paul described the doctrine of the church: “that form of doctrine”, meaning the doctrine was already determined, and it was not a matter of personal opinion. We also see that Paul said that the form of doctrine was “delivered” to them, which means that the doctrine was not a matter of personal point of view, but rather needed to be received by the members. Paul also said that the form of doctrine needed to be “obeyed”, which means that the content of the doctrine was not to be disputed. It was not up for personal interpretation.

Following a dogma may seem to be close-minded to the world, but if the dogma is from God, then we are wise in following it.

3) Doctrines are the decrees for our salvation

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine (διδασκαλία didaskalia). Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Why did the church command all believers to follow the doctrines? In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he encouraged Timothy to continue in the doctrine, and by continuing, Timothy would save himself and those who hear him (who are the believers). Therefore, there is a purpose for the doctrines: it is for our salvation.

Paul also emphasized the inseparable connection between salvation and the doctrines. Paul wrote to the Galatians the following: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8 NKJV) This tells us that the gospel must not be changed in any capacity. If anyone preaches any altered message, that person will be accursed, meaning he will be cut off from salvation (Romans 9:3).

Today, in the Christian world, some may say we need to let go of the differences in our doctrines and be united. By saying this, the doctrines become simply differing opinions of the same Bible. It would seem that these differing opinions are not a severe matter, and they would not affect our salvation. But when we look at what the Bible says, we realize that any variation to the original gospel would come at the cost of our salvation. This was why the church commanded the believers to follow the doctrines: it is for their salvation.

What is doctrine? We ought to understand the doctrines from a biblical perspective. When we truly obey from our hearts that form of doctrine, this doctrine will save us.

To be continued.....