Bible Doctrine!

Lesson 1

The word doctrine means the teachings of, so the phrase Bible doctrine refers to the truths that are taught in the Word of God! It seems that there is a church on every corner of the towns and cities of our land. But why, if we have this access to the Bible, do we not all agree on these important teachings? There are several reasons for the situation we find ourselves today. The world has changed a lot in recent years, and if the church is following the world, then it will, of necessity, change with it as well. Some follow the teachings of individuals, others follow long held traditions that are based on the founders of the church, or some organization. But one thing remains certain... God doesn't change with the times! See Malachi 3:6

Why is it so important to study the Bible? If you were to go today and purchase a new car, you would find something very important tucked away
in the glove compartment. It is the owner's manual. This book would tell you all the most important things you need to know in caring for, and
operating your new vehicle. You know that you would be able to trust the information in this book; It was written by the same ones who made
your car. It stands to reason that the one who made your car knows what is required in caring for and driving that car. In the same way the
Bible is a handbook or owners manual for God's people. We know that God is the one who has created us, so surely He knows, better than
anyone, just exactly how to care for us. Even in His warnings to us, He seeks to show us what is best!

1. Why did the Lord have a controversy with the people in Hosea's day? Hosea 4:1

2. Why did He say they would be destroyed? Hosea 4:6

How important this makes knowledge! Of course this is concerned with the knowledge of God and His truth. It is only the knowledge of God
which causes us to want to live by right principles and do good to those who live around us.

3. Why did God give us His precepts? Deuteronomy 6:24

Just like that owner's manual, God wants what is best for us, and to keep us alive.

4. What did the Apostle Paul say on this important subject? 2 Timothy 2:15

The importance of this text lies in the two points that we draw from the verse; What is it that we are to Study? And to whom are we responsible?

The verse says "rightly dividing the word of truth," and speaks of itself. The Holy Scriptures constitute the only real "word of truth" we have. So,
we are to study the Bible so that we will not be ashamed. One day man will have to stand before God and give an account of his life. If we study
and learn from the Bible what God would have us to be and what He would have us to do, and if we follow through with what we learn, there will
be no reason for us to be ashamed. Our world is full of people who claim to serve and love the true God of heaven, and yet who do not
acknowledge the Bible as His word for us. All sorts of religions exist with all sorts of rules and regulations which are not holy; they are heathen.

Unfortunately, it does not stop there. Here in this country we have hundreds of denominations which claim to be Christian, and yet they have built
systems of worship and religion that have little or nothing to do with the teachings of God in His Holy Word.

Look at the verse again, "Study to show thyself approved unto God." In the end, you will be responsible to God alone; no one else can save you!
This is very important because so many who profess to be Christians never, ever study their Bibles. Very few will diligently study for themselves.
The norm today in the Christian churches is to go to church once or twice a week and find out what the preacher has studied. The truths
discussed in the Bible are of eternal importance; they will be the difference between life and death for all eternity. Surely we can all see that this is
much too important to trust to someone else.

5. Who only should we trust in? Jeremiah 17:7

Verse 5 of this same chapter says: "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm." It is a very good thing to go to church. It is a very good thing to hear God's Word preached. But we can never make this the final basis for what we believe or how we live.

6. Why did Paul say that the Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians? Acts 17:11

When we listen to the preacher, we should take careful note, and then study (for ourselves) to make sure what we have heard is
true. Never should we trust in the spoken word without studying God's written Word for ourselves.

7. Are we to look only to the New Testament Scriptures in our Study? 2 Timothy 3:16

God's word declares that we must accept all of the Bible. Many people today want to leave out certain parts, especially the Old Testament.
It is interesting to note that when the above verse was written, there was no New Testament was all the written Word that they had. The
New Testament Scriptures were only then being written, and would not be compiled into the "New Testament" for many years to come.

8. What Scriptures did Jesus use in His teaching? Luke 24:44

The law, the prophets, and the psalms make up the Old Testament! The first five books of the Bible are the books of the law. Psalms,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are the books of poetry, or psalms. The rest are the books of the prophets.

9. What is God's three point plan for receiving blessings from the study of His Word? Revelation 1:3

a: "Blessed is he that _________________?"

b: "and they that ________________ the words of this prophecy"

c: and _______________ those things which are written therein;"

What good would it do us to read God's Word, if we did not hear or understand what it is trying to say to us? Likewise, what good would it
do us to read and understand, if we do not put the life-changing principles of God's Word into practice in our lives? The Apostle Paul tells
us this important point in Romans 2:13: "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." James also says:

"Butbe ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22) This is the great need of the world today: to study the Word of God; to believe it with all their hearts; and then to put the wonderful principles into action in their very lives!

10. Who does God say is destroyed for the lack of knowledge? Hosea 4:6

How important it is for those who profess to be Christians to know what God's Holy Word says!

11. Do we bear more responsibility after God has forgiven us of our sins? Luke 12:48

12. How important is it that we teach and do what is right? Matthew 15:8

God is not pleased when we say one thing and do another!

13. What kind of worship is it when we follow the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God? Matthew 15:9

The word doctrine here means teachings. Christ says that their worship is in vain because they teach the commandments of men.

14. By what means was the Bible written? 2 Peter 1:21

It was God's Holy Spirit which inspired the authors of the Bible. There were over 40 men who wrote the Scriptures, but each was inspired
by the same Holy Spirit.

15. Why can't some people understand the teachings of God's Word? 1 Corinthians 2:14

God's Word must be spiritually discerned. It was God's Holy Spirit which inspired the authors of the Bible so it stands to
reason that to understand God's Word, we need that same Holy Spirit to interpret the Scriptures.

16. What does Paul say happens when we search out the mysteries of God's Word? Colossians 1:27-28

One of the great purposes of God's Bible is to warn the people of earth about the things which are about to take place.

17. Although the Bible is a book for all times, for when is it especially written ? 1 Corinthians 10:11 (last part).

18. Is it possible for those who profess to be Christians to be deceived? Matthew 24:24

The "very elect" are those believers who are the closest to Jesus in their religious lives. This text describes a scene where even
this very elect group of Christians might be deceived if it were possible. What about the others who profess to be Christians?
(Those who may not have taken every opportunity to learn the truth of God's Word.) You will notice, if you read the entire chapter
(Matthew 24), Jesus warns us not to be deceived by the things that will happen in these last days. (See verses: 4, 5, 11, 23, 24,
25, 26, 43, 44) If there were no danger of our being deceived, would Jesus have bothered to give such a lengthy warning for us?
Surely we need to understand the warnings that the Bible has for us!

19. Who is it that will finally be saved? Matthew 24:13

The Salvation experience that Jesus described is not a decision that is made at some point along the path of life's journey; it is the journey itself! Salvation is not merely a decision; it is a way of life for the believer.