Different Types of
Doctrines
The Bible describes that there are various types of
doctrines. They are mainly classified into three.
1. The Doctrine from
God.
The doctrine described in the Bible is the true doctrine. It
has its origin from God. This doctrine is called as sound doctrine (Titus 1:9;
2:1), pure doctrine Job 11:4, and the doctrine according to godliness I Tim.
6:3.
a. The doctrine of God:
It is the good doctrine given by God in the Scriptures Prov. 4:2. This is revealed by God Ephe. 3:1-7. This
doctrine of God is the teaching which comes from heaven like rain Deut. 32:2
and believers are called to respect it Titus 2:10.
b. The doctrine of
Christ: The teaching
of Jesus Christ in the Bible is called as the doctrine of Christ Mark 1:27. Believers
are called to abide in this doctrine 2 John 9, 10. Jesus Christ taught that the
doctrine he taught was from God and not of Him. John 7:16,17. His doctrine is
what He taught to the people directly. Matt.7:28;22:33;Mark 12:38 and in
parables. Mark 4:2. People were astonished at His doctrine. Mark 1:27.
c. The doctrine of the
apostles: The
doctrine preached by the apostles was called as the apostles’ doctrine. The
apostles of Jesus Christ preached the doctrine, which was revealed to them.
Acts. 2:42. The Bible says that the apostles filled Jerusalem with this
doctrine. Acts. 5:28 and the people were interested in hearing this ‘new
doctrine’. Acts. 17:19. The teachings of the apostles’ doctrine produced
astonishment and belief. Acts. 13:12 and it is the doctrine delivered to the
saints ‘once for all’. Jude 3.
The content of the apostles’ doctrine is the gospel of Christ
that everyone be get saved. I Cori. 15:1-4. A summary of the apostles’ doctrine
is given in Hebrews 6:1, 2. It contains seven doctrines. Acts.2:37-42.
2. The doctrine of Men.
The Bible teaches extensively about the doctrines taught by
men and warns believers to be careful about them. The doctrine of men can be
from false apostles. 2 Cori. 11:1-15, false prophets Matt. 7:15-23, false
teachers 2 Peter 2:1-3. Jesus said that these people will teach the
‘commandments of men’ as doctrines will replace the ‘commandment of God’ with
the ‘tradition of men’ Mark 7:7-13. We
must be careful to avoid those who teach ‘philosophy and empty deceit’.
Colo.2:8. It uproots the faith of believers like a stormy wind. Ephe. 4:14.
a. The doctrine of
Pharisees and Sadducees: Jesus Christ taught to His disciples that they
should ‘beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy Luke 12:1.
The Sadducees also had their own doctrines. They had that there is no
resurrection, angels or spirit. Acts. 23:8.
b. The doctrine of some
wicked people: In
the book of Revelation, there are certain doctrines which the Lord condemned.
They are the doctrines of Balaam Reve. 2:14, the doctrine of Nicolaitans
2:6,15, and the doctrine of Jezebel 2:20-24.
c. The doctrine of
false teachers: The
false teachers deny ‘the Lord who
bought to them 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4. They pervert the grace Gala. 1:6-8 and
resist the truth 2 Tim. 3:8. They are destitute of the truth I Tim. 6:3-5,
money lovers Luke 16:14, unstable I Tim. 1:6,7, deceitful Ephe. 4:14, lustful 2
Peter 2:12-19 and bound by traditions Matt. 15:9.
The Bible warns us to avoid false teachers who will not
endure sound doctrine. They do not preach the truth. 2 Tim. 4:3-5. They draw
people away after themselves and not to Christ Acts. 20:30.
d. The
doctrine of false prophets: Like the false teachers, there are many false
prophets in the church today. The false prophets have their own doctrine and
pretend to be true Matt. 7:22-23. They teach corruption 2 Peter 2:10-22. The
Bible says that they will be present in the last days. Matt.24:3,11.
3. The doctrine of
Devils.
The Bible also speaks about the doctrine of devils which will
be taught in the end days. I Tim. 4:1. The heresies and ‘twisting of the truth’
arise among men because of the influence of demons and through men who are
deceived by the devil. 2 Peter 3:14-16; Reve. 22:18,19.
4. Responses to
doctrine of men and doctrine of devils:
The bible says that false teaching is Satanic (2 Cori.
11:13-15).
a. Do not receive them:
The Bible clearly teaches us that we should not receive false
teachers into our house or greet them. 2 John 9, 10. This seems to be a harsh warning.
b. Do not be carried
away by them:
The doctrine of men and devil are deceitful and harmful to
our spiritual life. They have the power to carry away believers from sound
doctrine. Hebrews 13:9.
c. Beware of false
prophets and teachers:
the false teachers are very harmful and can cheat us if we
are careless. So we must beware of them. They have sheep’s clothing but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matt. 7:15; Colo.2:8.
d. Be watchful and fulfil your ministry:
False teachers will not endure sound doctrine and spread
doctrine according to their own desires. They will turn away ears from truth
and turned aside to fables. Be watchful to all these afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. 2 Tim. 4:3-5.
e. Avoid them:
Avoid those who create
divisions, offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned. They are not
the servants of Jesus Christ, but their own belly. Romans 16:17, 18.
f. Test them:
Test every spirit is from God or not because many false
prophets have gone out to the world. I John 4:1, 2.