Bible Study The Doctrine of Christ

[JLB]

What I would ask of you next would be to list out what you believe the essential doctrines of Chris are as well as providing examples on how we, the members of this forum as members of Christs Body would live these doctrines out.

To start with, I would like to preface, that what Jesus Christ taught as well as commanded can be summed up in this:

• Love God and love people.

This is what His commandments, teachings, law, gospel, message and sayings boil down too.


I believe we all can agree on this.


Where we may tend to disagree, is what happens when we choose to live our lives in disregard or rebellion to His doctrine and Commandments.

Jesus Christ is the Truth.

Everything that proceeds out of His mouth is the truth.

To disobey the truth will only result is eternal destruction.

If we don’t learn to love the truth, as well as fear God, we are vulnerable to believing and practicing a lifestyle that will lead us and our family in the way of death.



Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16



Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9




With that being said, shall I continue?






JLB

 

[JohnDB]

With that being said, shall I continue?
JLB

No
Not really because your premise is not correct with many others' premise. But this isn't the real reason.
Where what you say sounds good it still misses the mark of accuracy. And you conceding that is highly unlikely.

 

[stovebolts]

To start with, I would like to preface, that what Jesus Christ taught as well as commanded can be summed up in this:

• Love God and love people.

This is what His commandments, teachings, law, gospel, message and sayings boil down too.


I believe we all can agree on this.


Where we may tend to disagree, is what happens when we choose to live our lives in disregard or rebellion to His doctrine and Commandments.

I'd rather focus on where we agree and build on that if you don't mind. By doing so, all disagreements may just resolve themselves as we strive to live out our faith with the accordance of faith given us.

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We see that there is a hierarchy to God's commandments and all must be viewed under the lens of Loving God and Loving our neighbor.

While this seems pretty straight forward in ideology, it's quiet another to put it into practice.

There are many that do not know how to love themselves as God loves us, and with a skewed view of what love is, they justify poor behavior to their neighbor while truly believing they are justified in keeping the commandment.
I think the song Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics can better say what I'm trying to say.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused.

Again, Jesus says
Luke 6:35-36 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Again, Jesus tells us how to love each other, but we have to wrap our flesh around the commandment and live it out.

I've always liked how Paul explains love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

What I am trying to say is this. We can quote scripture all day long about love, but in the end we have to put that faith in action. We have to live out that command.

Lets talk about what Paul says and build one another up in God's truth shall we?
How can we live out Godly love and what does it look like put into action?

1. Love suffereth long.
2. Love envieth not.
3. love vautheth not itself,
4. Is not puffed up.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly,
6. Seeketh not its own.
7. is not provoked,
8. taketh not account of evil;
9. rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
10. beareth all things,
11. believeth all things,
12. hopeth all things,
13. endureth all things.

How doe we live this type of Biblical love out toward ourelves first so we can be a light for others.

You see, if we can't love ourselves the way God loves us, then we become hypocrates and we are not able to live out the second greatest commandment.

Jesus says this...

Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

 

[for_his_glory]

I do agree with StoveBolts as how can we love God or our neighbor when we don't know how to love ourselves. JLB you gave good reference, but as JohnDB said, it all sounds good on paper, but how do we apply God's love when we do not know how to love our self.

This is something that I went through back in the 80's and 90's as I had no self-esteem nor did I even understand love. I think we use this word so willyneely, but do we really know what love means. In scripture we read God loves us and Jesus loves us, but why and how. How can I love my neighbor when I can't even love myself.

These are the things we need to address according to the doctrines of Christ, but also have to unconditionally show others what the greatest commandment of love is. I know way back in those trying days it took the unconditional love of another that helped me see how and why God and Jesus loves me so much. Then were my eyes and heart opened as for the first time I really came to Jesus and poured my hearts concerns out to Him and as I laid there on the ground I had nothing more to give Him. That's when He came to me in the most brilliant and comforting light I have ever seen as I learned through that one person who loved me unconditionally how to humble myself before Him and allow His love to overflow in me.

This is what so many need to have in their lives, not by scripture although they need to hear the preaching of the Gospels, but by a stranger showing them what real love is and how to humble themselves before the Lord and feel His love surround them to know they are truly loved, then they can start loving themselves and then their neighbor.

 

[JLB]

I do agree with StoveBolts as how can we love God or our neighbor when we don't know how to love ourselves. JLB you gave good reference, but as JohnDB said, it all sounds good on paper, but how do we apply God's love when we do not know how to love our self.

This is something that I went through back in the 80's and 90's as I had no self-esteem nor did I even understand love. I think we use this word so willyneely, but do we really know what love means. In scripture we read God loves us and Jesus loves us, but why and how. How can I love my neighbor when I can't even love myself.

These are the things we need to address according to the doctrines of Christ, but also have to unconditionally show others what the greatest commandment of love is. I know way back in those trying days it took the unconditional love of another that helped me see how and why God and Jesus loves me so much. Then were my eyes and heart opened as for the first time I really came to Jesus and poured my hearts concerns out to Him and as I laid there on the ground I had nothing more to give Him. That's when He came to me in the most brilliant and comforting light I have ever seen as I learned through that one person who loved me unconditionally how to humble myself before Him and allow His love to overflow in me.

This is what so many need to have in their lives, not by scripture although they need to hear the preaching of the Gospels, but by a stranger showing them what real love is and how to humble themselves before the Lord and feel His love surround them to know they are truly loved, then they can start loving themselves and then their neighbor.

I believe we all have been through various stages of restoration, healing and renewing of the mind, and we can encourage each other in those areas we ourselves have overcome and grown in.

This is good and needful, for all to benefit from the body edifying itself in love.


However, our personal experiences, and (denominational) perspectives, have no bearing on, and will not change the truth of God’s word.


Then sooner we all understand this, the quicker we can all reject the cultural or denominational concepts, and embrace the truth found in the teachings of Christ.



JLB

 

[JLB]

I'd rather focus on where we agree and build on that if you don't mind. By doing so, all disagreements may just resolve themselves as we strive to live out our faith with the accordance of faith given us.

I would rather focus on what Jesus Christ taught, and believe it, and realign my thoughts, words and deeds with His word.


If we are all doing this, then there will be unity.


Like I said, we will all most likely agree that Loving God and loving people is what Christ taught us to do.


Where some may disagree is what that means from a biblical perspective.


Example:


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


On the other hand, some teach the Church is to keep the law of Moses in order to be saved.



JLB

 

[JLB]

There are many that do not know how to love themselves as God loves us, and with a skewed view of what love is, they justify poor behavior to their neighbor while truly believing they are justified in keeping the commandment.
I think the song Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics can better say what I'm trying to say.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused.

If you want to renew your mind unto the truth of Christ teachings then make no room for the corrupting influence of Rock and Roll music or any secular music.


Listen to anointed praise and worship music and things that exalt the Lord.


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2




JLB

 

[JLB]

But this isn't the real reason.

I know it’s not the real reason you don’t want me to continue.




JLB

 

[JLB]

This is something that I went through back in the 80's and 90's as I had no self-esteem nor did I even understand love. I think we use this word so willyneely, but do we really know what love means. In scripture we read God loves us and Jesus loves us, but why and how. How can I love my neighbor when I can't even love myself.

I struggled with this issue for years, and totally agree with you.


I can tell you from experience, it takes restoration and healing from the Lord, to come to the place where we can begin to love ourselves and love others.


You won’t find restoration and healing in drugs, alcohol, bars, sex or anything that is of the world.


You will find restoration and healing in the presence of the Lord and His word.


The word repent is one of the most beautiful words in the Bible.


The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:1-3


Restoration and healing is found in the way of righteousness.





JLB

 

[JLB]

What I am trying to say is this. We can quote scripture all day long about love, but in the end we have to put that faith in action. We have to live out that command.

It all starts with believing what He taught about love.

It won’t be accomplished without the power of the Holy Spirit, working in us to do this very thing.


However, it all starts on paper: Believing what is written on paper in the scriptures.


If a person believes they aren’t required to obey Christ, then they won’t.



“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17





JLB

 

[JLB]

Lets talk about what Paul says and build one another up in God's truth shall we?
How can we live out Godly love and what does it look like put into action?

1. Love suffereth long.
2. Love envieth not.
3. love vautheth not itself,
4. Is not puffed up.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly,
6. Seeketh not its own.
7. is not provoked,
8. taketh not account of evil;
9. rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
10. beareth all things,
11. believeth all things,
12. hopeth all things,
13. endureth all things.

Yes, I agree, in order to walk in the truth we first must put it down on paper, and believe what is written.


That’s why he left us the scriptures.

That’s why we have the Holy Spirit.


Can people learn to walk it out without believing what is written in His word?



JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

I believe we all have been through various stages of restoration, healing and renewing of the mind, and we can encourage each other in those areas we ourselves have overcome and grown in.

This is good and needful, for all to benefit from the body edifying itself in love.


However, our personal experiences, and (denominational) perspectives, have no bearing on, and will not change the truth of God’s word.


Then sooner we all understand this, the quicker we can all reject the cultural or denominational concepts, and embrace the truth found in the teachings of Christ.



JLB

I'm not talking about denominations or cultural aspects nor about just teaching the doctrines of Christ to a person. I'm talking about how do we approach one who is not a part of the body of Christ or are a very young Christian that are dealing with emotional problems.

Do we just give them the word of God and let them figure it out like a Pastor did to me at one time or is there more?

 

[JohnDB]

I know it’s not the real reason you don’t want me to continue.




JLB

The reason in the most blunt terms is that you refuse to read and acknowledge anything anyone has written

 

[JLB]

I'm not talking about denominations or cultural aspects nor about just teaching the doctrines of Christ to a person. I'm talking about how do we approach one who is not a part of the body of Christ or are a very young Christian that are dealing with emotional problems.

Do we just give them the word of God and let them figure it out like a Pastor did to me at one time or is there more?

It starts with showing them the word.

I strongly encourage the use of discernment.

Children need milk, not meat.

Younger Christians need to be gently encouraged that The Lord simply loves them and desires to bless them.

Most need restoration from a life of rejection and bad choices.


Meat is for older brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Being available to talk to people and guide them in the scriptures, and listen to them and pray for them, and help them as well as being an example to them is the key.

If people trust you, they will listen and believe.




JLB

 

[JLB]

The reason in the most blunt terms is that you refuse to read and acknowledge anything anyone has written

John, if you have some scripture from the doctrine of Christ you would like to share then please do so.


If not, then please refrain from spewing your anger in my thread.



JLB

 

[JLB]

How doe we live this type of Biblical love out toward ourelves first so we can be a light for others.

You see, if we can't love ourselves the way God loves us, then we become hypocrates and we are not able to live out the second greatest commandment.

Jesus says this...

Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

This is from post number 2 -



When we distort His ways of truth and love and righteousness, by distorting His teachings, we are not walking in truth and love.


Love is so much more than “acting nice” in public for a pretense.


I have known many who “act nice” and loving in Church, but won’t lift a finger to help anyone, and are deceitful in many ways.


“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:1-6


If we continue in His teachings, His message, His word, then we are His disciples in deed.


Personally, because I know how much He loves us, I don’t dare teach anyone anything expect straight forward scripture.





JLB

 

[JLB]

How doe we live this type of Biblical love out toward ourelves first so we can be a light for others.

We align our life with His word.

Draw near to God, humble ourselves and receive His grace;
His power to overcome.

• Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10

• Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

It starts with showing them the word.

I strongly encourage the use of discernment.

Children need milk, not meat.

Younger Christians need to be gently encouraged that The Lord simply loves them and desires to bless them.

Most need restoration from a life of rejection and bad choices.


Meat is for older brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Being available to talk to people and guide them in the scriptures, and listen to them and pray for them, and help them as well as being an example to them is the key.

If people trust you, they will listen and believe.




JLB

Like JohnDB said you are not listening or acknowledging what we are saying. It has nothing to do with teaching another the doctrines of Christ that are hurting so much inside, but how to meet a person by coming down to their level like Jesus did as a servant unto us and to His God.

As a good counselor, as Jesus was and is, we have to first let one talk and listen to what they are saying and asking of us to help them. This let's us know where they are coming from as what happened to them and why they are feeling the way they do. From that point we can start the healing process by helping them love themselves first to show them they are worthy of God's love. They are not opened to hear the doctrines of Christ little lone trying to cram them down their throats. What they want to hear is someone having compassion for them and for them to know others really care about them.

Once we have established a solid friendship with them then we can start by casually teaching them about the love of God as we first pray and ask the Holy Spirit reveal to them that of what they need to hear and will receive at first that will draw them to want more. If something taste good you will want more.

This I speak by my own experience that brought me back to God.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

THE DOCTRINE:


If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. John 7:17


Whenever we see the phrase “the doctrine” in scripture, we know it is a reference to the doctrine of Christ. This is also shown as the doctrine of Christ, as well as the Apostles doctrine, which Christ taught them to teach every nation.


Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20


And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 2:40-45

• And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship

Notice that true godly fellowship is a natural by product of continuing steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine. This is where true unity in any church community is found.

Common unity in the truth: Community


till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, Ephesians 4:13-14

• The unity of the faith is found in abiding in the doctrine of Christ.

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16

• Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.
• Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

JLB

Amen

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Like JohnDB said you are not listening or acknowledging what we are saying. It has nothing to do with teaching another the doctrines of Christ that are hurting so much inside, but how to meet a person by coming down to their level like Jesus did as a servant unto us and to His God.

As a good counselor, as Jesus was and is, we have to first let one talk and listen to what they are saying and asking of us to help them. This let's us know where they are coming from as what happened to them and why they are feeling the way they do. From that point we can start the healing process by helping them love themselves first to show them they are worthy of God's love. They are not opened to hear the doctrines of Christ little lone trying to cram them down their throats. What they want to hear is someone having compassion for them and for them to know others really care about them.

Once we have established a solid friendship with them then we can start by casually teaching them about the love of God as we first pray and ask the Holy Spirit reveal to them that of what they need to hear and will receive at first that will draw them to want more. If something taste good you will want more.

This I speak by my own experience that brought me back to God.

Amen