16th July 2021
DOCTRINE OR DOGMA?
David Abankwah
READ: 1 Timothy 1:3-11
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;
-2 Timothy 4:3 | KJV
A doctrine is a statement of fundamental religious beliefs, principles, position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief that is taught and believed to be true and accepted generally. A dogma is a belief or set of beliefs that are accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted. To understand this well, let me give you an instance. The doctrine of Christianity is centred on Jesus Christ because He founded it. He has laid down beliefs we ought to follow. A dogma is a set of beliefs outside the main beliefs of the founder that have been laid down by the denominations which are under Christianity normally called churches.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ is that, we ought to be baptised in a flowing water such as river as He even set an example for it in River Jordan (Matthew 3:16) but the dogma of a certain denomination or church can be that, as for us, we will sprinkle water on our members or baptise them in pools. So, you will see that what the leader says is misinterpreted and misrepresented in these churches. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is that He is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6) but the dogma of a church can be that, as for us, we see Mary, the apostles or even certain people or things as the ways, the truths and the lives.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ was that He will come again to gather His elect and destroy the rest with unquenchable fire but there are certain dogmas circulating that, Jesus Christ will never destroy anyone by fire and it is this earth He will rehabilitate for us to live on. You will see these people
marking certain houses thinking that they will claim them after Christ’s second coming. Do you think if we would have lived on earth forever, I would have left my house for you, right? The doctrine of God, the head of Jesus Christ is that, a man must not wear a woman’s clothing and a woman must not wear a man’s clothing and such act which is an abomination (Deuteronomy 22:5).
Yet, you will notice in the dogma of certain churches that, anything goes, because Christianity is in the heart and not what they do outwardly. But they fail to realise that the heart is deceitful and out of the heart comes all issues of life including sin. Instead of clinging to the sound doctrine, we think we are being restricted from doing what we want to do. Christianity is not an asylum where you can join and display your madness. It is not a funfair where you can enjoy yourself in sin and iniquity at will. If you don’t like to be rebuked, corrected or instructed by the doctrine of God and Christ for perfection, thoroughly furnished onto good works, count yourself as a candidate of the lake of fire.
•| Prayer Diary |•
¹Lift up prayers for the endurance of the doctrine of Jesus Christ more than the dogma of the denomination. ²Lift up prayers to be delivered from itching ears that drag you into false teachings in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“Instead of saying the Bible says this, many believers of today say my Pastor says that”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Isaiah Chapters 1-3
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 