Our Doctrinal Beliefs (Part 1)
Emanates from the Latin word doctrina:
• A codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions; taught principles or positions held; or a body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system.
• Oxford English Dictionary: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.
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Types of doctrine
• a) Biblical doctrines 2 Jn 1:9; Jn 7:17
• b) Doctrines of devils 1 Tim 4:1
• c) Doctrines of men Mark 7:7;
• d) Church doctrines Acts 2:42;
• {A} Biblical doctrines
• Jn. 7:16-17 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself”.
• 2 Jn 1:9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son”.
• Examples: prayer requests; Salvation in the name of Jesus.
• {B} Doctrine of devils
• 1 Tim 4: 1
• Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
• Example: baptism of the dead, purgatory, etc
• {C} Doctrine of men
• Mark 7:7 “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”.
• Example: Only circumcised men are born again, sinful to eat without washing hands, etc.
• {D} Church doctrine
• Acts 15:29 “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”.
• Examples: Registered members requirements, Priests not to marry, etc
• Usually stem from:
• Founders’ background, Basis for the establishment of the church, Founder(s) understanding of scriptures, Founders practices (good or evil), Desire to conform to changing cultures.
Some biblical doctrines highlighted below
• The Bible
• The Godhead
• Salvation
• The Devil
• About Man
• Repentance
• New Birth & Justification
• Sanctification & Holiness
• 1. The Holy Bible
• We believe that the Holy Bible: both Old & New Testaments are written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Tim. 3: 16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”.
2. The Godhead
• We believe the Godhead consists of three Persons (God the Father; God the Son & God the Holy Spirit) who is One Triune God.
• Mt. 28: 19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
• I John 5: 7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one”.
• Mk. 12:29 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”
3. Salvation only in Jesus name
• We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, who came in flesh to save the world from sin (John 1:1-14).
• Acts 4: 10,12 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.
4. The Devil
• We believe that the Devil exists. He seeks the downfall of every man, especially believers. He brought sickness & death.
• He governs over a well organised army of demons.
• Rev. 12: 7-9 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”.
5. About Man
• God formed man with the dust of ground; breathed into his nostril the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7). So that man comprises of Body, Spirit & Soul. Man is God’s ambassador on Earth.
• Lk. 23: 46 “Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.”
• Lk. 12: 20 “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”
6. Repentance unto God
• We are all born as sinners. The wages of sin is death. To live eternally therefore, one will need to repent.
• Rom. 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
• I John 1: 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
7. New Birth & Justification
• After confession and repentance of our sins unto God in Jesus name; we become new creatures/born again (2 Cor. 5:17).
• God then declares us justified/righteous by His grace as if we have never sinned.
• Rom. 5: 1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
8. Sanctification & Holiness
• Sanctification is the second work of grace by which the root of sin/Adamic nature is completely removed.
• Holiness is living a life that abstain from all appearance of evil and worldliness.
• John 17:15-17 “…Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”.
• Heb. 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Prayers points
• Father, help me to keep your doctrine.
• Father, let me not give heed to doctrine of Satan.
• Father, let my focus not be on doctrine of men.
• Father, grant me the willingness and passion to obey my church doctrine that are not contradictory to your word.
• Father, help me that none of your doctrine condemn me in the end.
The sermon, Our Doctrinal Beliefs (Part 1), was delivered by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye on September 10, 2017