“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
(Acts 2:42 NASB, emphasis mine)
Basically, the word ‘doctrine’ means teaching and usually emphasizes the content of what is being taught. It is a set of accepted beliefs held by a group.
“And they [the people] were astonished at his [Christ’s] doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
(Mark 1:22 KJV)
Christianity is a religion founded on a message of the good news rooted in the life of Jesus Christ; that is, His preexistence subsequent to His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death by crucifixion, and His bodily resurrection—all as God’s decisive act for man’s salvation (see Acts 2:14-36). Built from this fundamental understanding was the inclusion of all the essential data of ‘the faith’—the truth of Christ’s Person and His unique teaching.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
(Acts 2:42 KJV)
Regrettably, the word ‘doctrine’ has become a harmful word in many Christian circles when division results from doctrinal misunderstandings. Thus to avoid division, many erroneously think there is a need to avoid doctrine.
However the New Testament continually stresses the significance of sound doctrine, beginning in the Gospels (“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” [John 7:16, 17 KJV]); and running through to the Apostle John’s last letters to the church: “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” (2 John 1:9 KJV).
Doctrine is a very necessary part of the Christian experience. It is the foundation of Christian belief. As today’s New Testament community we would do well to practice Paul’s word to Timothy:
