It means that I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Using various men throughout the history of the world He has preserved for us His Law and His Gospel. The Good News of Christ (God Incarnate) coming to Earth to bear all our sins, be crucified, and rise from the dead (and no, He didn't pass out on the cross and wake up 3 days later, and He most certainly wasn't replaced on the cross like our Muslim friends would have us believe).
I believe the words of the Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. I believe in sound doctrine. Without doctrine, how do we know what we believe? If we don't know what we believe then how can we share our beliefs with others?
Romans 6:17 - 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.
Romans 16:17 - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Timothy 4:6 - 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.
1 Timothy 4:16 - 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.
2 Timothy 4:3 - 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;
Without doctrine, how do we know that which is sound? Some would say we only need the Bible. They're not wrong…totally. Absolutely the Holy Bible is THE source of all we need to know to be followers of Christ. But…how many "churches" out there have resulted from someone reading the Bible and corrupting it with their own interpretations and even, in some cases, changing the Bible to suit their needs or adding "new" testaments to it?
While reading in Todd Wilken's journal today (from Issues, Etc. website) I found this wonderful tidbit.
"The only problem is, Jesus never faulted the Pharisees for being
doctrinal
purists. He faulted them for being false teachers who abandoned the
truth of God's
Word in favor of the erroneous word of man (Matthew 16:11-12;
15:1-9; Mark 7:6-
13).
Jesus called Christians who demanded doctrinal
purity disciples, not
Pharisees.. .If you abide in My word, then you are
truly disciples of Mine; and you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free..(John 8:31-32) In fact,
Christians who demand doctrinal purity
are really following the example of Jesus, of
Paul and of the other Apostles
(Matthew 7:15; see also 24:10-11; Mark 9:42; 2
Corinthians 13:5; 1
Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 4:16; 6:3-4; Titus 1:7-9; 2:1, 7-
8; 1 John
4:1; 2 Peter 3:17)."
http://004f597.netsolhost.com/Playing%20the%20Pharisee%20Card%202008.pdf
How many of today's church growing programs are based upon false teachings and the word of man rather than God's Word? If they're not preaching the Gospel every Sunday, instead teaching on so-called Christian living, they're preaching the word of man. If their doctrine isn't centered on Christ and His gospel, run for the hills! If they're sharing testimonies instead of the Gospel, run!
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