DOCTRINE is Meant to Divide!

The first use of the term doctrine in the New Testament comes at the close of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. It is a commentary regarding the people’s astonishment at the Lord’s doctrine: “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29).

After the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, supposedly seeking a sign but actually desiring to tempt him, Jesus told them, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonas (Matthew 16:1-4). The Lord later turns to his disciples and says, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 7:6). After their confusion, thinking only of the physical, the Lord Jesus asks them, “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees (Matthew 7:11)?” Then they understood how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of “the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 7:12).

Our Lord’s doctrine was not his own teachings: his doctrine was that of the Father (John 7:16). Just as he that doeth the will of Christ’s Father, which is in heaven, shall enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21); so, any man that shall do the Father’s will shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether Christ speaks of himself (John 7:17).

The apostles continued steadfastly in Christ’s doctrine (Acts 2:42), which was the Father’s doctrine (John 7:17). The high priest and the council charged them, saying, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in his name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (Acts 5:28).

In Peter’s answer, he not only summarizes the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ; he also admonishes us that it is better to obey God rather than men. Hear the message Peter gives: God hath exalted Jesus Christ for this purpose: “to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts. 5:31).

Speaking for the Apostles, Peter declares, “We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32). Will you obey and believe on him whom God has sent?