THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 4 of 12 The importance of discerning the identity of "the doctrine of Christ" is underscored by what is said about it. THE BEGINNING AND THE END Whoever brings a teaching that relegates Jesus to the past, upstages Him with some other emphasis, or does not depend upon His atoning death, resurrection, and exaltation, is NOT bringing "the doctrine of Christ." Myriad of professed believers see Christ as a starting point – the Beginning. Indeed, our Lord is the Beginning, but He is also "the End" (Rev 21:6; 22:13). He is not only the Alpha (first letter of our spiritual alphabet), He is also "the Omega" (the last letter) Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). He is the "Last" as well the "First" (Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13). The "doctrine of Christ" always leaves the hearer in view of the Son of God, considering Him, and seeking to appropriate Him in His fulness. UNIQUE SHEPHERDING MINISTRY The "doctrine of Christ" also refers to Christ's unique shepherding ministry. He truly is "the great Shepherd of the sheep" (Heb 13:20). The point of the phrase, "the doctrine of Christ," is not the means employed, but the One employing the means. It is not HOW He teaches, but that He teaches. If a person does not sit under Jesus, there is no hope of being saved! If anyone chooses NOT to be a disciple of Jesus, God will send him "strong delusion," because he did not receive a "love of the truth" (2 Thess 2:10). The next devotion in this series will develop this line of thought. – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 8-9, NASB)
1. Whoever transgresses, and abides not in this doctrine does not have God (2 John 1:9a).
2. Whoever abides in this doctrine has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9b).
3. Anyone who comes to us, yet does not bring this doctrine, is not to be received into our houses (1 John 2:10a).
4. We are not to bid God speed, greet, or welcome anyone who does not bring this doctrine (1 John 2:10b).
5. The person who bids God speed, greets, or welcomes anyone bringing this doctrine has participated in his evil deeds, or wicked works (1 John 2:11).
I can hardly imagine anything being of greater gravity than this! The person who fails to bring this doctrine does not have God. Such a person cannot come into our houses, and we cannot welcome them. They are guilty of evil deeds, or wicked works. The person who does bring this doctrine possesses the Father and the Son. This cannot, therefore, be some novel teaching, or one which requires a considerable time to grasp. Salvation is the balance here, for no person who has not the Father or the Son can hope to dwell forever in Their presence.
Some factionists perceive "the doctrine of Christ" to be their interpretation of Scripture. To them, the "doctrine" is not the teaching itself, but what they conceive it to mean. Thus, this phrase is frequently used to denote teachings unique to a particular religious sect. Indeed, some are bold enough to hinge eternal life on the unreserved acceptance of certain views of Scripture. Thus, the Sabbatarian conceives "the Sabbath day" to be integral to "the doctrine of Christ." Others, persuaded that only vocal music is allowed by the Living God, affirm that instrumental music is excluded and condemned by "the doctrine of Christ." Still others make the impossibility of falling away a part of "the doctrine of Christ." Some even imagine what believers call themselves, or the name of a local assembly is part of "the doctrine of Christ." These, however, are the prattling of spiritual juveniles. No person of Scriptural record every taught in such a manner, and we entertain not one mote of interest in, or respect for, such teachings. A teaching that does not require Christ, center in Him, and promote trust in Him is NOT "the doctrine of Christ." Candidly, there are far too many things being taught among the churches that can be both taught and embraced while a person is aloof, and even alienated, from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The "doctrine," or teaching, of Christ is what He teaches, not what man teaches! It involves what is said about the Person and work of Christ, not the duties and obligations of men. The expression "the doctrine of Christ" is used two times in Scripture. The first is found in Hebrews 6:1, where we are warned about lingering on the principles of the doctrine of Christ. The principles mentioned include the following.
1. Repentance from death works.
2. Faith toward God.
3. The doctrine of baptisms.
4. Laying on of hands.
5. The resurrection of the dead.
6. Eternal judgment.
It might be countered that none of these things have anything to do with Christ Himself. But that is not the case. All of them center in Christ and depend upon His Person and work. None of these stand on their own, but derive their meaning and effectiveness from Jesus Christ. They are necessary implications in "the doctrine of Christ." If Jesus is who "the doctrine" affirms Him to be, all men must repent. They must have faith toward God. They are to be baptized into Him. It is Jesus Himself who justifies the setting apart of anyone to the work of the Lord through the laying on of hands. The resurrection of the dead depends upon Him, for His voice will summon them from their graves. By God's appointment, it is also He that will judge the living and the dead. All of the principles of the doctrine derive their meaning and strength from the Subject of the doctrine, the Lord Jesus Himself. Yet, these principles are not themselves "the doctrine of Christ."
In salvation, there is no point at which Jesus becomes obsolete, nonessential, or useless. At no point are the saved "on their own." If they presume to think this to be the case, and proceed without Christ, they will soon be "without God." The Father does not dwell in or undergird those who neglect the Son! We have been called into the "fellowship" of Christ (1 Cor 1:9). That fellowship involves being taught by Him (Eph 4:20-21), which teaching can be called "the doctrine of Christ."
PRAYER POINT: Father, it is Your Son that I want to see, to win, and whose fellowship I crave. I know everything hinges on Him.