If we pay attention, we’re taught something new every day. As Christians, doctrine is what the Bible teaches us. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary officially defines doctrine in a general sense as “whatever is taught.” Therefore, whatever different philosophers or philosophies teach is their doctrine. Webster’s specifies biblical doctrines as, “the principles or truths taught by Christ and His apostles.” Since Christ fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), all His doctrines sum up the two greatest commandments—that is—to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, spirit, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Jesus taught His Apostles and they, in turn, and in addition to the Old Covenant (Testament), teach us correct doctrine through Scripture.
What is the Biblical Basis for Doctrine?
Professor Stephen Wellum (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) tells us, “And it is from within the entire canon [of Scripture] that doctrines are formulated according to Scripture’s presentation of them.” This is crucial to our understanding of where we get our Christian doctrines and why we obey them.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 gives us our source key for Christian doctrine, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The passage says all Scripture. A wise teacher once said, “All means all, and that’s all, all means.” Therefore, the complete canon of Scripture sets our standards. Everything we need to live a godly life is spelled out via the Bible’s doctrines with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help us understand and gain wisdom from it (2 Peter 1:3).
Biblical doctrine is what the Bible teaches, and correct interpretation is crucial to accurate doctrine. As students of the Bible read it, meditate upon it, and study it, they must do so using excellent biblical hermeneutics (the science of biblical interpretation). Logos writer/editor Tobin Perry adds, “How we interpret the timeless Word of God shapes how we answer the important questions we face as we pursue God’s mission in the world today.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 includes having God-breathed Scripture teach us so we may teach others, and use it and the doctrines it imparts to us to reprove (admonish those who use Scripture incorrectly), correct (rectify false beliefs), and train disciples in righteousness (to be like Christ). We then (men and women) are completed by Scripture for the Work God has ordained for us. As we learn and employ biblical doctrine, we grow spiritually in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. In essence, we become more like our Lord (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:14-16).
What are the Core Christian Doctrines?
As we are sanctified by the Lord (His work in believers to make us holy), our ability to understand and apply the Scriptures grows. Our discernment grows, too, as the Lord takes us from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can handle the truth of Scripture better, obey the Lord with grace and assurance, and grow in spiritual maturity as we put 2 Timothy 3:16-17 into practice.
The doctrines of Christianity are many and they are included in what is called a Systematic Theology. Pastor John MacArthur tells us in, “Essential Christian Doctrine,” “Systematic theology aims to expound in a comprehensive and thematically organized fashion the biblical doctrines focused on the Persons of the triune God, their purposes, and their plans in relationship to the world and humanity.”
Systematic theologies are huge for a reason; we have much to know about God and His Word. The Apostle John made this incredible statement toward the end of his Gospel account, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
The following are the essential doctrines of Christianity. Only pertinent details are included lest this article reach the size of a Systematic Theology:
Bibliology: The Bible in its original state is inspired by God, inerrant, and has full authority over our lives as God’s people.
Theology proper: The doctrine of God—His infinite being and existence—and His triune nature.
God is:
- Incomprehensible: our full knowledge of God is limited by our humanity (Job 38:1-41:34; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
- A triune God. He is referred to as the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—one in essence and three in Person (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Peter 1:2).
- Self-existent (Psalm 90:2; John 1:1-5: Revelation 1:8)
- Omnipotent: God has sovereign power, authority, and control over His created order (Genesis 17:1; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11).
- Omnipresent: God is everywhere always and forever (Job 11:7-9; Acts 17:22-31).
- Omniscient: God alone knows everything (Psalm 147:5; Acts 15:18; Hebrews 4:13).
- Holy: God is wholly other from His creation in purity and righteousness (Exodus 3:1-6; Psalm 99:1-9; Revelation 4:1-11).
- Other essential attributes include God’s goodness and justice.
Christology: The doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ—His person and His work
Jesus Christ:
- Is God (John 1:1-1420:28; Colossians 1:19).
- Is fully human and fully God (Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15).
- Is sinless, which is necessary for our salvation (Matthew 3:15; John 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).
- Was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49).
- Died, was buried, and resurrected, and ascended to heaven, another essential for salvation (Luke 24:50-53; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; Hebrews 9:23-28), for no one can be saved apart from God drawing them to Him through Jesus (John 6:44).
- Is Lord of all (Acts 2:36).
Pneumatology: The doctrine of the Holy Spirit—His Person and His work.
The Holy Spirit:
- Is God (Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-17; Ephesians 2:19-22).
- is a Person (John 16:13; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 5:6).
- Indwells believers at the moment of conversion (Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12).
- Brings understanding of the Scriptures to believers (1 Corinthians 2:1-16).
Anthropology: The doctrine of man (humanity)
Man is:
- Created in God’s image (Genesis 9:6; Colossians 1:15).
- Fallen (sinners) and in need of the Savior (Genesis 3; Romans 2:1-11; 1 John 1:8-10).
Hamartiology: The doctrine of sin
Man has a sin nature due to the Fall (recorded in Genesis 3). Adam’s sin has been imputed to all humanity and, at its core, is representative of the broken relationship between God and man. Man has violated that relationship with his rebellion and lack of faith (Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:18-19). In fact, Romans 1-3 is a mini but comprehensive exposition on man’s sinfulness. Sin affects everyone and everything, and it found its beginning in Satan. Only Christ could atone for all of mankind’s sins, and man must be called to Him in repentance and faith and surrender to Him for salvation, therefore avoiding God’s righteous wrath (John 6:44; Romans 5:6-11).
Soteriology: The doctrine of salvation.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and all who come to Him in repentance and faith are saved. No one can come to Him, however, unless God calls them (John 6:44). Those who are truly saved will never lose their salvation (John 10:28-29).
Angelology: The doctrine of holy angels, Satan, and fallen angels
Satan is:
- a fallen angel, the father of all lies, and is finite and defeated (Job 1:6-12; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-10).
- Angels are messengers of God (Luke 1:5-38; Hebrews 2:1-4).
- Fallen angels (demons) are followers of Satan, do his bidding, and are consigned to the same destiny as he, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Ecclesiology: The doctrine of the worldwide church.
The church:
- Is those people called out by God to faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:9).
- The kingdom of Christ is found in the church (Matthew 13:3-52; Luke 17:20-21).
- Is founded and perfected (ongoing process) by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:2).
- Will never be destroyed but will continue to grow with Christ as its Head (Matthew 16:18b; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23).
- Its purpose is to evangelize, make disciples, edify the church, and glorify Christ (Matthew 18:19-20; the Epistles).
Eschatology: The doctrine concerning biblical prophecy about end times events and the destiny of believers (heaven) and unbelievers (hell). The end of the age will see the consummation of all redemptive history when Jesus will come back in a second Advent to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). Jesus’ kingdom will be physically manifested in the church and in His presence (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)
How Does Doctrine Shape Christian Life?
Humans are created in the image of God and therefore reflect His communicable attributes of holiness, goodness, mercy, grace, etc. Knowing the doctrines as set forth by God in His Word gives all believers a blueprint of how we are to live a life of holiness (2 Peter 1:3, 6-7, 11).
When we come to an understanding of and then obey correct doctrine, we will know what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Our worship will be freed from the constraints of repetitive obedience as our hearts are full of the knowledge of the One who set us free from sin’s bondage (Romans 8:21). And as we gather with our local church, our unity in Christ compels us to greater acts of faith and obedience as we seek to glorify Him in all we do personally and corporately. We will also be missional in encouraging and supporting our brothers and sisters throughout the world, for the church is not limited by national boundaries.
As we are sanctified, we grow more and more like Christ, and what grieves Him will grieve us. This will greatly influence all our decisions, for discerning God’s will is a matter of knowing Scripture and following the Spirit as he brings it to mind amid all life’s circumstances.
What is the Importance of Understanding and Defending Doctrine?
Correct doctrine is so important that it led fiery eighteenth-century pastor Jonathan Edwards to write, “The devil never would attempt to beget in persons a regard to that divine Word which God has given to the great and standing rule…Would the spirit of error, in order to deceive men, beget in them a high opinion of the infallible rule, and incline them to think much of it, and be very conversant with it? No, he is engaged against the Bible, and hates every word in it.”
The Bible tells us numerous times to beware of false teaching (doctrine). A good starting point is what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4). Paul didn’t say if; he said when. Indeed, we see this happening more and more as the power of the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2) causes unsuspecting and unguarded people to be deceived and follow the ways of the world. Paul’s very next encouragement to Timothy is to “always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Again, in 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle tells the exiles to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Knowing our enemy wants to devour us, we are to be ever vigilant in our study of the Bible and its doctrines. They’re not there for lip service; God gave us His Word in large part to keep us tethered to Christ, for “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Knowing doctrine is very hard work, and some shy away from the demands of rigorous Bible study. But the benefits are eternal. Knowing doctrine equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Defending our faith is good work. Immersing ourselves in correct doctrine helps us love God more, obey Him better and more willingly, and equips us with the armor to fight for the faith (Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Timothy 6:12).
Paul wrote to Titus about the church overseers: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Every believer gains from this command, for a Christian who doesn’t learn correct doctrine (what the Bible teaches) is a disobedient Christian and one who is held sway by the world’s (therefore, Satan’s) enticements.
"What shall I render to the LORD
for all His benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12)
Doing all we can to learn and live out correct doctrine is one important way we can glorify the Lord.
Further Reading
Why Should Christians Know What Defines Healthy Doctrine?
What Doctrines of Christianity Do We All Need to Know?
Doctrine Meaning and Commentary
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