Source of Doctrine

All Christian teachings come from the Scriptures.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 HCSB All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Christ’s teachings reign supreme. All other philosophies, teachings or traditions are to be measured by His and His apostles’.

• Colossians 2:6-10 HCSB Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. 9 For in Him the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

As the prophets and apostles learned from the Lord, so we should base our beliefs on them.

• 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 HCSB Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:15 HCSB Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter.

Their words are authoritative because they heard directly from the Lord. Their teachings did not arise out of their imaginations, but by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

• 2 Peter 1:17-21 HCSB For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him! 18 And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 First of all, you should know this: no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

We may use the Scriptures to engage demonic and humanistic thinking in open debate. In fact this is our God-given mission.

• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 HCSB For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

This is not to say that we are allowed to engage in foolish debate over semantics!

• 2 Timothy 2:14 HCSB Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
• 2 Timothy 2:16 HCSB But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.

Instead we are to carefully study and research so that we are prepared to give an answer when we are asked about our faith.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 HCSB Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

The doctrines we learn from the Scriptures should be passed on to other believers.

• 2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

We need to personally hold on to the great Scriptural truths as we live our lives.

• Hebrews 10:23 HCSB Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.