Sullivan church of Christ -- Sullivan, MO
Date: August 22, 2004
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE # 2
Ben Justice
In last week’s article, we defined “sound doctrine” and also considered the fact that there is such thing as
“unsound doctrine.” Now, we turn our attention to the importance of sound doctrine.
IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CAN MAKE ONE FREE
Jesus declared, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). In last week’s
article, we noted how “sound doctrine” is equal to the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). So, it is sound doctrine that
makes one free.
Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). As noted above, sound doctrine is
equal to the truth, but sound doctrine is also equal to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:2-3). So, it is sound doctrine that
is the power of God unto salvation.
2 Thess. 2:13-14 states, “But we are bound to give thanks always 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: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Connect “the truth” with “gospel.” The Thessalonians’ had been chosen to salvation through “the
truth.” However, Paul said they were called by the “gospel.” Therefore, if sound doctrine is equal to the truth
and equal to the gospel, then it is sound doctrine that we can have salvation, and by it we are called.
Col. 1:5 sums it up: “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of
the truth of the gospel.” Our eternal salvation depends upon sound doctrine, for without us ever hearing
sound doctrine, we would never know what to do to be saved.
IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT KEEPS ONE SAVED
If one is to remain faithful and spiritually nourished, then sound healthy doctrine must ever be a part of his
daily life. Paul told Timothy, “Hold fast (securely) the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13). In I Tim. 4:16, Paul said to Timothy, “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.”
In 2 John 9, John stated, “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.” Why do people fall
away? The answer is simple: They have left sound doctrine. People are spiritually weak because they’re not
attuned to sound doctrine.
IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WILL KEEP THE CHURCH PURE
2 Tim. 4:3 says, “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.” In I Tim. 1:9-10, Paul listed some things
contrary to “sound doctrine.”
To keep the church pure, preachers must always preach sound doctrine. Paul commanded Titus, “But speak
thou the things which become sound doctrine:” (Titus 2:1). The results of such are seen in v. 2ff. When
sound doctrine is preached, people are what they are supposed to be — spiritually healthy. If you want a
sound and healthy church, then get a sound preacher who believes and stands for the preaching of sound
doctrine.
If the church is to be pure, then elders must uphold sound doctrine. Sadly, there are those from time to time
who will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). There are those who will not consent to “wholesome
doctrine, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness” (I Tim.
6:3-5). The charge has been given to elders — “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” (Titus 1:9). Elders must first of
all hold on to the faithful word themselves. Why? Paul said that they may be able by “sound doctrine” both
to exhort and to convince. The word “convince” means “rebuke” or “refute.” Refute what? Paul said, “the
gainsayers.” The term “gainsayers” comes from a word that means to “contradict.” It refers to those who
contradict sound doctrine. In other words, false teachers. The only way to rid error and unsound doctrine is
for elders to use sound doctrine in exhort and convincing. Elder must be able to stop the mouths of
gainsayers (Titus 1:11).
IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WILL BE JUDGED BY IT
We have already noted that the truth will make one free (John 8:32). Jesus declared in John 12:48, “He that
rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day.” We are going to be judged by sound doctrine. Therefore, our lives must be
in harmony with sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine — how important is it to you? According to Matt. 9:12, Jesus came to make people “whole,”
that is, healthy spiritually. May we love, cherish, and defend sound doctrine. It is the only thing that will
save us in the end!
“Don’t Leave Them In The Water” # 1
What a thrilling and wonderful thing to witness one who is immersed into Christ for the remission of their
sins. As Paul noted, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). According to Rom. 6:4, one comes forth from the watery
grave of baptism to “walk in newness of life.” In giving the Great Commission, Jesus taught that baptism is
“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). The expression denotes
that baptism is into the relationship of the Godhead. In other words, one obtains “fellowship” with God,
Christ, and the Holy Spirit, when they obey the gospel, culminated in baptism.
When a person obeys the gospel, they are “new babes” in Christ. As a result, they are extremely vulnerable
to the ways and ploys of the evil one. They have not yet been grounded in the faith. So, what should those
grounded in the faith do for “new babes?” One thing we must never do is “leave them in the water.” Sadly,
this happens all too often. Too many times we forget how spiritually fragile new converts are. I believe it is
imperative for elders (leaders) within the local congregation to see to it that new converts are spiritually
provided for. What can elders (leaders) do to “ground” these new creations in the faith? Lord willing, next
week, we will consider some avenues by which new babes in Christ can grow up in Christ. —Ben Justice