Introduction: Doctrine, Denomination, and Discipleship

The Balance

There is a balance between what we believe, uniting with others who believe the same, and living out what we believe.

In other words there are 3 “D”s involved in following Christ well.

Doctrine

Denomination

Discipleship

1. Discipleship

1 Timothy 6:3–7 ESV

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

There is a strong urging to make sure that we know what we believe, and most importantly that we believe the right thing.

Matthew 7:21–23 ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

It all boils down to making sure we are studying God’s Word and submitting to what God teaches us in His Word. That means we actually live by what His Word says.

What we believe matters so much because it does inform how we live.

Doctrinal Ascent is not Doctrinal Faith

We can argue all day long what certain doctrines teach, but claiming we know something and actually living by that same thing are different.

It’s the same as the demons believing in God and fearing Him, but they don’t willing submit to and serve Him.

2. Denomination

Why do denominations and associations matter?

At their best, they act as a safeguard for doctrine and preserving the truth. Each one has been created out of churches banding together to affirm a doctrine that differed from others around them.

Our ancestors, General Baptists, separated from other reformers because several were continuing infant baptism.

Our separation was based on affirming a believer’s baptism. Basically, we only baptized people who had placed their faith in Christ.

Even John Calvin affirmed infant baptism as a New Testament version of circumcision and a confirmation of God’s promises.

Denominations now owe their allegiances to those who have come before them. And there are plenty of churches around to where a person can assess what they believe, what a church teaches, and compare that with scripture. After much prayer, they should attend a church that closely aligns with what they agree with so that church can help keep them accountable.

And associations are meant to keep churches accountable.

Proverbs 24:5–6 “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

Denominational associations help us come together in likemindedness and do a great work together.

We are not the only denomination going to heaven.

3. Discipleship

None of this matters if we don’t do anything with it.

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

If we are not careful we will pride ourselves on what we claim we believe, and claim assurance in that belief alone. We are saved by grace through faith.

But that faith should lead to works. If what we believe is not affecting how we live, then we need to ask ourselves if we really believe what we claim to believe.

We are either ignorant or hypocritical.

We’re going to dive into a series of studies on different doctrines, the history of those doctrines, what denominations in our area teach, and how we should live in light of what we believe.

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”