Doctrine

Brother David W. Cloud in his Way of Life Encyclopedia[9] explains the term “doctrine” in the context of the whole postmodern worldview. His comments are excerpted below:

DOCTRINE. Doctrine simply means teaching, but the biblical usage refers to sound teaching based on the Word of God. The two Greek words translated "doctrine", didaskalia and didache, are also translated "teacheth" (Ro. 12:7) and "learning" (Ro. 15:4). These words are used more than 140 times in the N.T., which shows how important doctrine is before God. Other terms which refer to doctrine are "truth" (1 Ti. 2:4), "the faith" (1 Ti. 3:9; 2 Ti. 3:8; Tit. 1:13), "wholesome words" (1 Ti. 6:3), and "sound words" (2 Ti. 1:13). Doctrine (and its companion terms) is referred to 59 times in the Pastoral Epistles alone. "The truth" is referred to 10 times in 2 and 3 John alone.



OTHER TERMS WHICH REFER TO DOCTRINE. "Truth" (1 Ti. 2:4), "the faith" (1 Ti. 3:9; 2 Ti. 3:8; Tit. 1:13), "wholesome words (1 Ti. 6:3), and "sound words." (2 Ti. 1:13).

CAN WE KNOW SOUND DOCTRINE? ...The Lord Jesus Christ... said that a believer can know sound doctrine. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). The requirement to know sound doctrine, according to this verse, is to be willing to obey the truth.... [T]he Lord will give him wisdom so that he will know sound doctrine from false....

BIBLE FACTS ABOUT DOCTRINE.
We can know right doctrine (Jn. 7:17).
We are to continue in the Apostles' doctrine (Ac. 2:42).
The Apostles filled Jerusalem with doctrine (Ac. 5:28).
We are saved by believing the right doctrine (Ro. 6:17; 1 Jn. 5:20; 2 Jn. 9).
We are to separate from those who teach false doctrine (Ro. 16:17).
We must be careful of winds of false doctrine (Ep. 4:14).
No false doctrine is to be allowed (1 Ti. 1:3).
Sound doctrine is good (1 Ti. 4:6).
The preacher is to give himself to doctrine (1 Ti. 4:13).
The preacher is to take heed to the doctrine (1 Ti. 4:16).
Preachers who labor in doctrine are to be rewarded (1 Ti. 5:17).
Sound doctrine is to be adorned with godly living (1 Ti. 6:1,3; Tit. 2:1).
The Bible is given for doctrine (2 Ti. 3:16).
The Bible is to be preached with doctrine (2 Ti. 4:2).
The last days is characterized by a turning from sound doctrine (2 Ti. 4:3).
The preacher must be able to use doctrine to edify and protect the church (Tit. 1:9).
Our doctrine is to be uncorrupt (Tit. 2:10).
We abide in Christ by sound doctrine (1 Jn. 2:24-27).
True Christian love is grounded in truth (2 Jn. 1; 3 Jn. 1).
The Apostles had no greater joy than to see the Christians walking in the truth (3 Jn. 3-4).
Those who abide not in sound doctrine are not of God and are not be to received (2 Jn. 9-10).