Sound Doctrine

I’ve enjoyed Dr. Charles Stanley’s radio programs, and I’ve visited his In Touch website. A friend mails me their daily devotionals and I especially enjoyed this paragraph from a recent topic on false teachers:

"Those who have a sound doctrine won’t be led astray. That’s why it is so important for our faith to rest on biblical truth—for example, Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and Christians will be resurrected bodily. Defeating false teachers takes more than 'my pastor says . . .' When confronted, we must defend our faith with Scripture we ourselves have studied. By regularly reading and applying God’s Word, we will be better prepared when confronted with untruth."

Christ’s doctrine was astonishing:

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (Matthew 7:28 KJV)

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:33 KJV)

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Luke 4:32 KJV)

And, Christ gave the source for His doctrine:

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. (John 7:16-17 KJV)

Paul explained how not to be those who would be lead astray:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 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 4:13-14 KJV)

And Paul taught us through Timothy how to achieve this:

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 KJV)

The result for us? Again it’s laid out in the Bible:

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 KJV)

To what doctrine do you hold fast? Based on what scriptures?