mutzrein said:
Solo – I have a passion for truth. No doctrine of man or deception of the devil will dissuade me from what God has placed within me. I have no doubt at all that on a certain day many years ago, I was born of the Spirit of God. It was just me and God. No altar call, no moving music but the presence of the living God bathing every bit of me within and without. Yes there is absolutely not even a shadow of doubt that the Spirit of God dwells within me.
From that moment to this, every element of my life has changed.
Whereas once I was dead, now I am alive in Christ.
Whereas once I knew no love, now I know the love of and for my Heavenly Father.
Whereas once I was a sinner, I know I have been redeemed by the precious lamb of God.
Whereas once the flesh had dominion, now I walk, not after the flesh, but in the Spirit of the living God.
For anyone – especially those who themselves claim to have a relationship with God – to even question whether I am born again, is to question the righteousness of the living God which has been imputed to man, through the gift of faith.
So, if you want to claim that righteousness is achieved by accepting a doctrine that you say is necessary for salvation, then I want no part of it. In fact the concept that this is promoted within Christendom astounds me.
And I will not grovel in the putrid muck of self righteousness, accepting a doctrine of man which he claims must be accepted in order that he may know God.
Many will come to Jesus one day and say, "Lord, Lord, we have done many wonderful things in your name. Jesus tells them to depart from him, that they are workers of iniquity, and that He
NEVER knew them. They were never born again, even though they called Jesus Lord.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
Perhaps your intentions on this board were for a personal unspecified reason, but perhaps the Lord wanted to show you his truth. Perhaps he knew your doctrinal hangups, and knew that you would have to be broken down instead of being coddled. Perhaps the things that occur within one person's life are not by accident. Jesus Christ is God Almighty and He has shown you that in His scriptures many, many times. You do not turn your back on man's doctrines, but you turn your back on God's Word. The scriptures say to examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith or not. Is God dwelling in you since your born again experience, or is it another spirit of unbelief?
4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Corinthians 13:4-5
Knowing Jesus as God is not a doctrine necessary for salvation, it is an evidence that one knows God the Father and God the Son after having been born again. Many scriptures have been given on this board that shows that Jesus is God, but the self-righteousness and pride of some have clouded their vision, blinding them from obvious truths.
Don't "grovel in the putrid muck of self righteousness, accepting a doctrine of man", but instead dance in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ knowing that an Almighty God would take on the flesh of mankind and die in his place in order to have fellowship with him now and forever more.
Doctrine means teaching, and is from the Greek word tranliterated Didache, which comes from the Greek word transliterated Didasko, which means to teach. Here are all of the verses that speak of doctrinal truths in the New Testament. My favorite one is:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: Matthew 7:28
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. Matthew 22:33
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1:22
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. Mark 1:27
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mark 4:2
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. Mark 11:18
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, Mark 12:38
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. Luke 4:32
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John 7:16
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. John 18:19
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Acts 5:28
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Acts 13:12
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? Acts 17:19
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 1 Corinthians 14:6
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:26
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:3
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 1 Timothy 1:10
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Timothy 4:6
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:13
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. 1 Timothy 4:16
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 Timothy 5:17
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 1 Timothy 6:1
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 1 Timothy 6:3
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 2 Timothy 3:10
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3
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. Titus 1:9
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Titus 2:1
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Titus 2:7
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:10
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Hebrews 6:1
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:2
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. 2 John 1:9
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:10