Choosing a Church Based on Sound Doctrine
The concept of "sound doctrine" refers to teaching that is healthy, wholesome, and in accordance with biblical truth [6, 7]. It is contrasted with teachings that cater to personal desires rather than God's will [6]. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:3, warns against a time when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but will instead accumulate teachers who tell them what their "itching ears" want to hear [6].
Sound doctrine is essential because it forms the foundation for Christian faith and practice. The Bible emphasizes the importance of hearing the word of God, as faith comes through hearing the message [8]. This message, or "the report of the Gospel," is the means God uses to instill faith in believers [8]. Therefore, the content of what is taught and heard is crucial.
The "things which become sound doctrine" include not only correct theological propositions but also a good life and conversation, encompassing various duties for believers according to their station, age, and sex [7]. These actions are seen as adorning the Gospel of Christ and the doctrine of God [7]. Conversely, those who despise sound teaching are said to seek instructors who align with their own corrupt desires [6].
The emphasis on sound doctrine highlights the necessity of discerning truth from error. For instance, the universal sinfulness of humanity is a foundational aspect of Christian doctrine [4]. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and while the godly strive against it, the wicked indulge it [1]. Sin is not merely an action but a state of being, rooted in a "corrupt old nature" [5]. This understanding of sin, as rebellion and dishonor to God, underscores the need for the corrective and redemptive message of the Gospel [2, 3]. To deny one's sinfulness is to make God a liar [5].
Sources
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 4:3: they--professing Christians. sound doctrine--Greek, "the sound (see on Ti1 1:10) doctrine (didascalias)" or "teaching," namely, of the Gospel. Presently follows the concrete, "teachers." after their own lusts--Instead of regarding the will of God they dislike being interrupted in their lusts by true teachers. heap--one on another: an indiscriminate mass of false teachers. Variety delights itching ears. "He who despises sound teaching, leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves" [BENGEL]. It is the corruption of the people in t”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 2:1: But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Concerning sound doctrine, and the form of it; see Gill on Ti2 1:13. The things which become it are a good life and conversation, the various duties incumbent on professors of religion, according to their different station, age, and sex, which are observed in some following verses; these become the Gospel of Christ, and are ornamental to the doctrine of God our Saviour; and these are to be spoken of by the ministers of Christ, in their proper places, and at proper times; who ought not to be dumb, and keep silence at”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing,.... That is, by preaching; for the word hearing is used in the same sense as in the preceding verse; and designs the report of the Gospel, or the preaching of the word, which is the means God makes use of, to convey faith into the hearts of his people; for preachers are ministers, or instruments, by whom others believe: and hearing by the word of God; or "of Christ", as some copies read, and so do the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions; and intends either the holy Scriptures, which have God for their author, and Christ for the subje”