Too often Christians like to avoid “doctrine” because they just want the basics. Since doctrine is another expression of teaching, it’s not only fine to discuss and know doctrine, but also that every Christian should be – “given to the doctrine.” Consider the account of those who were first baptized:
Acts 2:41–42 (ESV) — 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
If we are grounded in Scripture, we are given to the doctrine. If we are following the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are given to the doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
John 7:17 (ESV) — 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
In fact, if we are serious about the “Great Commission” we will be serious about doctrine because Jesus commanded that we make disciples, which involves teaching and we note that Jesus specifically commanded we teach, “whatsoever I commanded.” To teach what He has taught, we need to be given to the doctrine.
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) — 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus also commanded that those early disciples, along with us as we follow the teaching or doctrine, be ready to be witnesses as to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ by being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Bearing witness to Christ and His teaching is first being given to the doctrine or we are apt to present a false witness. Notice how that first century church was given to the doctrine and as a result were witnesses for Christ.
Acts 5:42 (ESV) — 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 6:7 (ESV) — 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 8:4 (ESV) — 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
We must take note of the attitude of the apostle Paul as he taught doctrine in such a way that his hearers would be given to the doctrine.
Acts 20:20–21 (ESV) — 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus taught of the great need of men who would be given to doctrine, that would be necessary to reap the harvest of souls.
Luke 10:2 (ESV) — 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Paul taught Timothy the principle of discipleship that would build up the church as Timothy would take what he had heard and been taught by Paul and in turn would entrust the doctrine to faithful men, who would in turn be able to teach others.
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) — 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
This great principle of discipleship was the means of spreading the doctrine but not so rapidly as it would lose its power by becoming watered down. Instead, the principle of one-on-one teaching, with the end goal of the student being a teacher to a new student, who would in turn teach another person. And on it goes. This principle of multiplying was given to the church and proved to be very successful, which is why businesses decided to use this principle. Remember though, it belongs to the church. If we are going to participate in the great commission, we must be ready to disciple. That means if we have not been discipled, that is where we need to begin. We’ll never accomplish successful discipleship without being “given to the doctrine.” To get there we need the guidance of another who is given to the doctrine, who will teach us the basic principle of learning doctrine.
Isaiah 28:9 (ESV) — 9 “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?
Recognizing a need to grow is the first step to gaining knowledge of the doctrine and the result of truly growing is becoming a teacher of doctrine to another person. Hence the writer of Hebrews points to the fact that many look upon learning doctrine as a fulfillment of their spiritual growth and maturity. However, the writer of Hebrews points out that unless you are using what you learn, you are still in need of milk.
Hebrews 5:12–14 (ESV) — 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Taking a person through discipleship is a process that is described as precept upon precept. It’s not a “Cliff Notes” version of learning doctrine.
Isaiah 28:10 (ESV) — 10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
Are you given to the doctrine? Have you been discipled in the doctrine? Are you learning to use what you have learned to pass along to another person? If not, you are breaking the chain of spiritual growth and maturity and are disobedient to the Great Commission.
This principle is not left up to mass participation, such as a Bible study or class. These are fine supplements, but discipleship is one helping another to prepare to help someone else. Just think of how the church would grow in doctrine as it grows in number when each member is doing their part in discipleship.
Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Be a true student of the word, use what you learn and share what you learn because then you learn it twice and you will be part of participating in the Great Commission as you are “given to the doctrine.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
