Doctrine Divides and Unifies
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1
Do you know that the creeds of the Christian faith (The Apostles’ Creed, The Nicene Creed, creeds from the council of Chalcedon, and the Athanasian Creed, etc.) were written in response to what was happening in the world at the times they were written?
Councils were convened to correct erroneous teachings that were spreading. The goal of these councils was to, with scripture in hand, validate biblical truth and dismiss unbiblical and dangerous teachings of the times. They gathered together to discern and declare Truth as set forth in the Bible.
Today, when I hear a call for a gathering of professing Christians with a disagreement on scripture, it is a call for unity, not truth. We want to come together and see if we all can’t come to some agreement without using the scriptures. It seems that the saying, “doctrine divides,” is seen as a bad thing and that loving our neighbors only happens if we say what others want to hear.
Doctrine is God’s instruction to His people. Teaching sound doctrine is a command and, according to the Apostle Paul, it is what will unify us.
In 1 Timothy 6:3-4a, Paul teaches, “ If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.”
Jesus tells us clearly in John 10 that when we are one of His sheep, we will know His voice. We will know the truth when we hear it and if it clashes with what we have been taught, we will follow Him (John 10:27). In John 10:5 He says we will not follow a stranger’s voice.
When we know Christ and learn His Word, being like the Bereans, searching scripture to know if what we are being taught is sound doctrine, then we will follow Him. We will be united with those who also believe these truths.
It may be that we are divided by doctrine with those who do not believe. That does not make them any less our neighbor whom we are to love. The “Good Samaritan” took care of a man with whom he did not share belief in God or even a patriotic loyalty. He was a man in need and the good Samaritan met the need when “religious men” would not.
Knowing the scriptures and living accordingly leads to the blessing of the Lord. If we prefer the favor of men, we may have it. But sound doctrine says that our God is a jealous God. If we favor men over God, then He will not favor us.
By the same doctrine, if we deny Him to the men and women we are to love, He will deny us when we are judged regarding eternity.
Doctrine is of the Lord. We each must choose, this day, whom we will serve, God or man.