Hated Doctrines

"But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate." (Revelation 2: 14, 15 KJV)

"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden." (Revelation 2: 24 KJV)

When the risen Lord Jesus dictated personal letters to the "seven churches of Asia (Minor)," he had both commendation and condemnation to render to each. Christ, in those letters, inspects and judges the state of those churches and gives his report to each by the hand of the "angel" or "messenger" of each church. In those letters he both praises and he rebukes.

The above citations from two of those letters indicate that Christ is greatly concerned about a church having good and correct doctrine. What people believe is most important!

Sadly, many today decry "doctrine," considering it not important, thinking that it is divisive and ought to be devalued in importance. Jesus however did not share this opinion. He considered doctrinal correctness very important.

Jesus named particular doctrines that he "hated" and which were being believed and taught in the churches that go by his name. He mentions the "doctrine of Balaam" and the "doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" particularly.

Involved in the teachings of the "doctrine of Balaam" are three named elements which draw particular notice and judgment. Those who teach this much divinely hated doctrine taught 1) "to cast stumblingblocks" in the paths of the righteous, and 2) "to eat things sacrificed to idols," and 3) "to commit fornication" (or 'sexual immorality').

Whatever "church" encourages idolatry and immorality is a "church" that has been infected with bad doctrine, with the "doctrine of Balaam."

The "doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" seems to be a sect that practiced a kind of government in the churches wherein the "laity" (which seems to be a part of the word 'Nicolaitane') is being "lorded over" (See I Peter 5: 3) by men, like "Diotrephes," who is said to "love to have the preeminence among" the brotherhood. (III John 1: 9 KJV) Christ detests churches that are ruled over by tyrants, and by men who want to have followers of themselves, rather than followers of Christ.

Christ had taught his disciples how they were not to have a government among them that was modeled after the heirarchial type found in the godless world.

"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. " (Mark 10: 42-44 KJV)

There are of course other hated doctrines mentioned in the seven letters to the seven Apocalyptic churches. One church was guilty of "suffering that woman Jezebel to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." (Revelation 2: 20 KJV)

Again, more condemnation of bad doctrine in a professing Christian church. It again shows that doctrine is most important to Christ.

"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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 1: 9-11 KJV)

This certainly shows that doctrine is most important, it being connected with eternal salvation or with eternal condemnation. A saved man is one who understands good doctrine, having been corrected in his ideas about God and salvation, while a lost man is one who is in error about God, and about sin and salvation. He certainly is in error about "Christ."

Every lost soul is a soul who is ignorant about Jesus, about who he is, and about what he has done and has promised to yet do.

"Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16: 12 KJV)

Throughout the public teaching ministry of Christ there was constant warning against heretical doctrines and beliefs. Bad doctrine is a dangerous thing! There are eternal perils connected with corrupt doctrine. What people believe is not unimportant, for "as a man thinks, so is he," said Solomon. (Proverbs 23: 7)

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." (II Peter 2: 1-3 NIV)

Peter continued the warning ministry of Christ in regard to entertaining and believing false doctrine about Christ, and about what he taught.

"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 KJV)

This exhortation of the apostle is made to the whole church, and not to simply a few leaders in the church. Every disciple should practice Paul's words and be able to recognize bad doctrine and to "mark" it and those who teach it.

"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 KJV)

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." (Hebrews 13: 9 KJV)

It is quite necessary for salvation, whether it be initial regeneration and rebirth, or whether it be the daily salvation and progressive sanctification of the believer after his rebirth, that the Christian be careful about his faith, about keeping pure his understanding of the gospel. It is a sad case to see a professing Christian "tossed about" like a leaf in the wind! Yet such is what we see when we see so many who are not "rooted and grounded in the faith" or "in the truth."

Notice too how both Peter and Paul indicate how false doctrine finds its source and inspiration in sly, cunning and crafty souls, yea, even by "demons."

Notice too from all the passages cited above (and also from the ones to follow) how the sacred writers and speakers, including Christ himself, spoke of what was religiously false as being "doctrines," plural, yet when truth was referenced, it was "doctrine," singular. This is striking and others have pointed it out. Why is this?

"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law." (Proverbs 4: 1, 2 KJV)

If there is "good doctrine," then there is by implication "bad doctrine." The bible only contains "good doctrine." To reject the bible and its doctrine is to reject God and salvation. The world today gives "bad doctrine" that will, if followed and heeded, damn the soul.

"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15: 9 KJV)

Think of all the labor that men have expended in their religous efforts! Sadly, it is mostly rejected as "vain" by the Sovereign Lord. Most religous worship today is "vain," empty, and useless, making the worshipper worse off than he was before. (See Matthew 23: 15 & II Peter 2: 20-22)

Even in the life of the early churches there were those among them who were attempting to teach "the commandments and doctrines of men." (Colossians 2: 22 KJV)

Yet, Paul was ever diligent that only "sound doctrine" (I Timothy 1: 10 KJV) be taught, in contrast to what was "unsound" and "heretical." There was the warning against what Paul called the "doctrines of demons" (I Timothy 4: 1 KJV)

"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." (I Timothy 4: 6 KJV)

The "words of faith" go hand in hand with "good doctrine." Also, a "good minister (servant)" is one who possesses "good doctrine," yea the doctrine of holy scripture.

"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 4: 13 KJV)

"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." (I Timothy 4: 16 KJV)

Again, the importance of possessing sound doctrine is stressed. It is shown to be connected with salvation and preservation. Oh how sad that many professing Christians "absent" themselves, rather than being "attendant" upon, "reading" and meditating upon the good doctrine of God's word!

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3: 16 KJV)

"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)

You want to know the truth of all truths? You want to know the truth about God and the universe? The bible, God's word, is the place to find it. Bibles are everywhere. Oh that many more would pick one up and read it!

"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2: 7, 8 KJV)

This is an important passage upon our topic. Every man is responsible to God to be correct in his beliefs respecting him. Every man and woman is required to believe all that God has revealed to man to be believed. Every man is responsible to show himself pure in his faith, and not be corrupt in his beliefs respecting God and his works.

Every Christian ought to also show, in his doctrine, in his faith, not only purity, but also "gravity" and "sincerity." And, the doctrine he believes ought to be expressed in "sound speech," in the words of scripture themselves.

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2: 42 KJV)

This is what every Christian is called to do. He must be careful to maintain correctness in his faith and this requires constant reading and study of God's word. The Christian must all the time look in prayer, and with a sincere heart, to the Lord Jesus Christ to "open the eyes" of his understanding so that he "might understand the scriptures." (See Luke 24: 45) Perseverence in the faith of Christ is essential to salvation.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 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. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6: 16-18 KJV)

Again, we have doctrine connected with salvation. Peter said that false teachings are "damnable heresies," that is, they are beliefs that will damn the soul that believes them.

"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." (II Timothy 4: 3 KJV)

We are certainly living in such a day! People want their "doctrines" (plural) and not the "doctrine" (singular) of Christ.

Friend, is your doctrine(s) pure and true?