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Essential Doctrine according to the Bible
In the
Beginning With the theme of “Essential Doctrine according to the Bible” we endeavor to limit ourselves to those doctrines that the Bible declares are essential to be a Christian. Will we be surprised to find that a clear majority of required doctrines are not intellectual but practical? Many of us will find that others exclude us for doctrines which the Bible has not made essential (whether those doctrines are true or false). But will we be comfortable if we have used other non-essential doctrines to exclude others from the body of Christ? “He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he becomes a rewarder of them that seek after him” is discussed in God Is, and He Rewards. Further intellectual doctrines we are required to believe are considered in Jesus Is, as well as some that are required by man but not by God. But two intellectual doctrines we are required to reject are reviewed in Things Which We Must Not Think. Part 2 covers those things which we must do – the practical doctrines, which considerably outnumber the required intellectual doctrines. These are covered in four articles: Doctrines of the Heart, He Must Provide for His Own, Put Away Sins of the Head and Hand, and Bridle Thy Tongue. There are other useful teachings which are not absolutely required of all Christians, whether it is because they are less than essential for all, or because they apply only to portions of the Gospel Age. These are dealt with in Part 3, Respect God’s Oaths, Helpful Doctrines, and Prophetic Teachings. A final short article, Creeds vs. Bible Study, outlines the temptations to create enforced creeds, which – consciously or unconsciously – then take precedence over the Word of God. How shall we know a Christian? according to the Bible and not man? “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God;” and “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (1 John 4:15; John 13:35). |