Doctrine: Take Heed Unto the Doctrine
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Text.—“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Tim. 4:16. It appears from the text that doctrine is of some importance. That doctrine, a continuance in which will save the preacher and the hearers, must be of great value. I remember of hearing it said when I was young that no one ought to preach doctrines or tenets in time of reformation or revival; that such a course was sure to kill the revival. I thought at the time that a doctrine that would have that effect should never be preached. It is true that when men quarrel about their doctrines, the effect is always pernicious; but the doctrines of the religion of the Bible are always saving and never destructive. They promote all true and valuable revival. Doctrine is simply teaching. And what is it that distinguishes the religion of truth from all false religions but the truth which it teaches? Truth is saving; and there can be no harm from its doctrines. The religious feeling or instinct is the same in pagans, Mohammedans and Christians. The superiority of the Christian religion arises from the truth of its doctrines. The truth may be held in unrighteousness; but still the truth is valuable. There can be no Christianity without its doctrines. It is objected that “doctrine is only the skin of truth set up and stuffed.” The doctrines of the day might be called the stuffed skin of error, or the sloughed skin of the old serpent. But the “doctrine that is according to godliness” is important, we might say all-important. The apostle John has left us this testimony: “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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.” 2 John 9, 10. Surely, the doctrine of Christ is of the greatest importance. Hence Paul says to Timothy, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” The doctrine must be specially guarded. Then he speaks of all sorts of sins as things that are “contrary to sound doctrine.” Purity of doctrine leads to purity of life. The doctrines of God are practical; and as holiness is essential to salvation, so are the doctrines that teach it. 1 Tim. 1:3, 10. Again, the apostle exhorts, “Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Chap. 4:13. And again, “Let the elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” Chap. 5:17. But while “sound doctrine” is of first importance, the apostle teaches that there will be, especially in the last days, some that “will not endure sound doctrine,” and that “fables” and “doctrines of devils” will be taught instead; and this constitutes the reason for strictly charging the minister of Jesus Christ to guard with care the doctrine—to charge some that they teach no other; but that he should “be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:1-3. Now since sound doctrine is of such inestimable value, since it is to be guarded as a priceless treasure with jealous care, since by continuance in it both preachers and hearers will be saved, according to our text, it is of the first importance that we know how to find the true and escape the ruinous consequence of embracing the false. Where shall we find the true? The answer is, In those “Holy Scriptures” which were “given by inspiration of God,” and are “profitable for doctrine,” &c., so “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17. But the question may be asked, How shall the Scriptures be interpreted?—whose interpretation shall we take? Let them interpret themselves. Take them in their most obvious meaning. We do not say that the literal meaning is always the true one; for there are figures used in the Bible, as well as in every other book. It should be interpreted just as we would interpret the language of any other book. Admit the right of one to give the Scriptures a mystical interpretation, and every other one must have the same right; and as the consequence we should have as many contradictory doctrines, all laid to the charge of God’s holy book as there are at the present day. This is the origin of the fables suited to the itching ears of these last days. The opposite and antidote of these fables is the preaching of the word of God. The apostle charges Timothy in the most solemn manner, “Preach the word;” and adds as a reason, “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; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” The “sound doctrine” is the word of God in its obvious sense; the “fables” to which those turn who will not endure it, are the thousand and one mystical and fanciful interpretations by which it is set aside. Again, we ask, What is sound doctrine? We answer, “The words of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and not some mystical interpretation of them, foreign from the signification of the words themselves. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Tim. 6:3-5. This may be illustrated by the doctrine of the second coming of Christ. Said Jesus, “I go away, and come again unto you.” “I go unto the Father.” “I go to prepare a place for you.” “I will come again and receive you unto myself.” How did he go away? “While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” How shall he come again? The testimony of the angels is, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Said Jesus himself, “And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” These are wholesome words, sound doctrine. Jesus is really coming to earth again. As a cloud received him out of sight, so will he be seen coming in the clouds of heaven. Those who make his coming again to be a mystical, or spiritual coming “consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, as his coming is to be real, so the signs in the heavens of his coming have been literally fulfilled. The sun and moon have been darkened and the stars have fallen, according to his word; and when all these things should transpire, he has assured us in the most positive terms of which language is capable that his coming would be even at the doors; so near that this generation should not pass away before his coming; but that some who should witness the fulfillment of the signs, should live to witness the fulfillment of his promise that he would come again. Those who explain these words to mean something that they do not say, do not consent to wholesome words. They are doting, or sick, “about questions and strifes of words.” “From such,” says the apostle, “withdraw thyself.” From what has been said, it is evident that doctrine is fundamental. To attempt to build up the Christian church, ignoring, or making non-essential or of little importance, the revealed doctrines of Christianity, is like building a house in the air with no foundation upon the earth. These doctrines distinguish the religion of truth from all false systems; and should not only be preached, but guarded with jealous care. Preach the word. Take heed to the doctrine. The salvation of souls is depending upon it. But “profane and old wives’ fables,” “vain babblings,” and “foolish and unlearned [untaught] questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” All that is taught in the Scriptures is essential and of vast importance; but doctrines not therein clearly revealed are worse than non-essential—they are pernicious. Truth is saving; but it will not save those who are not truly converted to it. One may professedly hold, and may talk the true doctrines of the Bible; and yet be as “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” If the truth does not have the sanctifying effect to produce the fruit of good works, it will only prove the condemnation and destruction of those who professedly hold it. And the works which result from sound doctrine must be done from the heart, or from pure love to God and men. Thus the pure doctrines of the Bible purify the heart, sanctify the affections, and elevate the receiver to the exalted plane of true godliness. The fruit will be unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. R. F. COTTRELL.