Publisher's Synopsis
Many of today's Christians are becoming comfortable with just about anything anyone puts out bearing the label of Christ and/or Christianity; yet, Christianity is not an open--ended faith. Consequent upon this truth, the word of God warns us: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1). One of the way to know for sure, if it is biblical Christianity is to pay attention to or examine the doctrine being promoted or expounded. If it is not the doctrine of Christ, it is not Biblical Christianity. The faith of Christ is complete, comprehensive and fixed. The word of God is settled and must not be compromised or tampered with in any form. God takes this so seriously, so much so that he warns: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.(Revelation 22:18-19)
Doctrine is the basic policy statement of every organisation. It contains the basic principles, and is a set of guidelines, module operandi, canon or what is commonly called dogma among religious groups. It is known as statutes in the Bible, (signifying its unchanging nature). Paul told Titus to only...speak the things which become sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1). John also made it clear that a person can deviate from the doctrine of Christ, according to him, such a deviation has grave consequences: 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. (2John 1:9) Christianity is basically, a religion based on a body of doctrines known as, The Doctrine of Christ or the doctrine which is according to godliness (1Timothy 6:3). Its unique and basic truths are the lifeblood of its existence. They have been the pillar upon which the Church stands, and will continue to stand for ages to come (1Timothy 3:15); therefore, tampering with them equals pulling down what Christ and Christianity are all about. Also, making true disciples of the cross of Christ and/or genuine Christians is practically impossible without a sound knowledge of what the faith of Christ is all about. Doctrine is the ingredient used to make a beiever, a bad doctrine equals a bad Christian and vice versa, hence the need to give attention to docrine - 1Timothy 4:13.
