Why is Doctrine Important?
By Ray Gano
"I think God's given up on a lot of that old rotten Sanhedrin religious crowd, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. I think they're damned and on their way to hell and I don't think there's any redemption for them...the heresy hunters that want to find a little mote of illegal doctrine in some Christian's eye and pluck that little mote out of their eye when they've got the whole forest in their own lives and in their own eyes. I say to hell with you! Oh hallelujah. Get out of God's way, quit blocking God's bridges or God's gonna shoot you if I don't! I refuse to argue any longer with any of you out there. Don't even call me. If you want to argue doctrine, if you want to straighten out somebody over here, if you want to criticize Ken Copeland for his preaching on faith, or Dad Hagin. Get out of my life! I don't even want to talk to you or hear you. I don't want to see your ugly face! Get out of my face in Jesus' name." (Paul Crouch "Praise-a-thon" on TBN, 4/2/91 - Emphasis mine – See addendum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John 7:16 – 18 (KJV) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Growing daily is the cancerous attack on doctrine. In fact THE fundamental mark of liberalism is its constant attack against solid biblical teaching. A growing number of people such as Rick Warren, Joel Olsteen, Benny Hinn, and the many, many others in the worldly ecumenical movement are saying, "Doctrine is not important. God is important. Let's lay aside our petty doctrinal differences and get back to God."
My first question is ‘Which God are you preaching?” But more than that, where is Jesus Christ in all of this and which Jesus are you following?
The number one top and most important doctrine of the church is none other than "Jesus Christ."
2 John 1:9 – 11 (KJV) 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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
You see, in attacking doctrine, the ultimate goal is to attack Jesus Christ himself.
How many of you have noticed that everywhere you look you hear about “God is Love” and “God is everywhere” and “God is in all of us.” This is all fine and dandy, but where is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
If doctrine is not important, then 2 John 1:9 – 11 doesn't mean a cotton pickin’ thing.
Folks, doctrine is of the utmost importance!
So what does the word doctrine mean anyway?
Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines doctrine as the following.
Doctrine
DOCTRINE, n. [L., to teach.]
1. In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles. (Emphasis mine)
Is the teaching of Christ important?
YES!
Is the truth important?
YES!
So, is sound doctrine important?
YES!
Our very lives in Christ are centered on the solid teachings and doctrine of Jesus Christ Himself.
Then why are so many who are claiming to be “ministers” of the Word, running as fast as they can away from, and discounting doctrine?
Well Ray, doctrine is divisive.
So if doctrine is divisive then what parts of doctrine should we get rid of or change?
Can we do away with the doctrine of the virgin birth?
How about the deity of Christ?
Better yet let’s muck with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
What about the inerrant word of God? Shoot, it is taking place already. We have over 200 modern versions, why not write another? In fact there is even one for sodomites. What is next; the pedophile or bestiality version of the bible? Why not? Doctrine divides!
In fact let’s just go all the way and discount the entire plan of salvation and invalidate all that Christ did for us by dying on the cross for our sins. But you know what; even the blood of Christ is being attacked by calling it a “slaughterhouse religion.”
All these doctrines and more are under attack as I write this.
The despicable issue is that it is not the heathen, pagan, or atheist who is attacking doctrine, it is our so called “men of God”, the men who are wolves in sheep’s clothing attacking the very doctrines of the faith and telling people that we do not need doctrine any more. These so called “men of God” are an oxymoron. Let me just be blunt here; they are antichrists and they are leading multitudes to hell.
2 John 1:7 (KJV) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
If any point of doctrine can be changed, then WHO has the right to change it and HOW FAR can he go in changing it?
We are facing the very slippery slope and in fact many have chosen to take the wide path of the world verses the narrow path of the true Gospel which is doctrinal.
1 Timothy 4:13 (KJV) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Titus 1:9 (KJV) 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.
1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV) 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.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 John 1:10 (KJV) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:
Romans 16:17 (KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Who Do You Serve?
Jesus stated the following…
John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. You will not go to hell for your sins or for what you have done. You will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior.
We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.
Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity.
1John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addendum:
As you know I have gotten some real interesting emails from people. Here is one such example defending those shiny teeth, fancy hair, loves everyone charlatans…
The Bible is very clear about judging God's servants. Some of the people you call charlatans and soothsayers have led millions of lost souls to Christ. Be careful what you say about God's anointed. He has chosen to use certain people, sometimes flamboyant, yes, but God looks at the heart. You had better look at your own. Email from a site visitor 02-13-07
So in light of disbelief such as this individual displays, I present the following videos which you can be the judge yourself. Thanks PZ Insider Wickus!!!
Whom do they serve?
An interesting collection, Bob Tilton, a pastor shooting Santa, Arnold Murray, Benny Hinn & his holy ghost machine gun, BUT the real doozy is Benny Hinn's wife telling people they need a 'Holy Ghost enema right up their rear ends'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR63GTxTwiI
Benny Hinn, God is not just a trinity, but actually nine people, Adam Flew in the garden, You are Jesus. Kenneth Copeland describes what God actually looks like AND Paul Crouch confesses that he is a “Little God.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbKruz-vbw
How dare we question these so called men of God. Here they are Televangelist threatening people Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard Brown, AND Paul Crouch goes off the deep end and called God’s teaching “doctrinal doo doo.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnK6KyhDThs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author:
Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000+ (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and Internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.
Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com
.................................................benny
