DOCTRINE: Why do we need it? (Part 1)

Why Do We Need Doctrine? The word DOCTRINE: (Latin: doctrina) is a belief or a body of teachings or instructions, or taught principles or positions. It is a belief system. Often doctrine specifically deals with a religious dogma as it is promoted by a church. So doctrine can be both positive and negative. It is positive if taken from the Word of God for the purpose of building up and correcting the Church. It is negative if doctrine is taken from the traditions of man and taught in a self-righteous manner, or is a doctrine of demons for the purpose of deceiving believers.

1.  Doctrinal teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Matthew 7:28-29 ESV  And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,  (29)  for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

2 John 1:9-10 ESV  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

Titus 2:1 ESV  But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

The word for teaching here is didachē (did-akh-ay') in the Greek, (G1322) and means instruction or doctrine that has been taught. It is used 30 times in the N.T.
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2.  Doctrinal teaching of man: Matthew 15:8-9 ESV  “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;  (9)  in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Hebrews 13:9 ESV  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

The word for doctrines here is didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee'-ah) in the Greek, (1319) and means instruction, information, learning, and teaching. It is used 21 times in the N.T.

3.  Doctrinal teaching of the religious leaders: Matthew 16:11-12 ESV  How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  (12)  Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The word for teaching here is the same as G1322 that when Jesus actively taught the Word from God, but here the religious leaders took God's Word and created their own interpretation for their own good. Just a little leaven (false teaching or sin makes the whole lump wrong).

4.  Doctrinal teaching of demons: 1 Timothy 4:1 ESV  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

The word for teaching here is the same as G1319 that was used for the false teachings of man.