DOCTRINAL TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE.
By A. S. Hutchins
TEXT: “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Tim. 4:13. The apostle here enjoins upon Timothy some very important duties. His success as a gospel minister depended much upon his knowledge of the Scriptures, upon a right understanding of the prophecies, and an ability to apply them correctly, to show how they had been, and were being, fulfilled before the eyes of those who heard him. Hence the importance of reading. He would, too, have him faithfully exhort, advise, caution, warn, his hearers. But this is not all. He would have this minister of God give attention to “doctrine.” We cannot for a moment conclude that Paul thought it would make no difference what Timothy should believe and teach, however honest he might be in his convictions. No; for he solemnly warns him, “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.” Was it necessary that this minister, chosen and sent forth of God to save souls, should watch well his own heart, his influence, and his life, that he might be an example to the flock? It was of equal importance that he should guard with sacred care the doctrine it was his duty to proclaim. One writer has truthfully remarked: “As the doctrines of the Bible are the first principles and foundation of religion, they should be carefully examined and well understood. Every Christian, the divine especially, should make this his study, because all the various doctrines should be insisted on in public, and explained to the people.” Of Timothy, it is affirmed: “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15. And right here the first thing which the apostle declares the Scriptures to be profitable for, is “doctrine.” Of the preaching of Christ the record is: “The people were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” The Son of God, filled with knowledge and divine wisdom, testifies of his teaching: “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. The adorable Son acts in harmony with the Father in the salvation of perishing souls. He honors the Father in the declaration, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” And we may know of this doctrine if we will do the will of its Author. The love which the Son bore to the will of the Father, and the connection of the law of the Most High with his heart, are beautifully expressed in the following words: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. How marked the contrast here with the feelings and practices of some preachers at the present time respecting the law of God, which reveals his will. Take the fourth precept of the decalogue. What a jargon, what a jangle, with men who oppose the word of God! Each man has a theory of his own. So he may say, “My doctrine is mine,” unless he be compelled to exclaim, as was said of the ax lost in the days of Elisha: “Alas, master! for it was borrowed.” Says Paul to Titus, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Who can discover the soundness of such reasoning as the following, in favor of the first-day Sabbath? - There are a few small bodies of Sabbatarians who contend for the very day sanctified at creation. But the Sabbath institution did not have reference to any particular day, it was any day of rest after six days of labor.
- There is no proof that the day kept by the Jews was the one sanctified at creation.
- The seventh day cannot be kept, because it does not come at the same time all over the world.
- It is a fact that in traveling around the world we have to throw out a day. (Whether we drop a day or add one depends on whether we go east or west, around the world. And when the needful alteration is made, we know our reckoning as well as if we had remained at home.)
- The Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day, and we should keep Sunday; we have no definite proof for this change in the Bible, but history sustains this view.
With these antagonistic, self-devouring propositions before an intelligent audience, what do they know more for Sunday-keeping than before they heard them? And yet some will be satisfied with any reasoning or assertion, which “sews pillows to all armholes.” If, like a sick man with pillows at his elbows, that he may better rest, men can be made to believe, or are even told they are safe in their religious faith, they are quiet, and many will sleep on till it is too late, too late. Upon the minister rests a responsibility of no small magnitude to teach the doctrines of the Bible, to teach sound doctrine, without reference to the traditions of the age, or the prejudices of the people. To Timothy Paul has much to say on this point. In the opening of his first letter to him, in setting forth the right use and end of the law, he distinctly shows that those who walk contrary to the law, do not conform to sound doctrine. Adam Clarke, in commenting on 1 Tim. 1:10, says, “Every species of vice and immorality, all must be necessarily included that is contrary to sound doctrine—to the immutable moral law of God, as well as to the pure precepts of Christianity where the law is incorporated, explained, and rendered, if possible, more and more binding.” The gospel ministry was established that men might, through the reception of Bible truth, through “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” receive remission of their sins, be justified, and sanctified, and made partakers of the entertainments of the heavenly kingdom, when life and immortality are given. The great commission to the apostles was, “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Luke’s record is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Now, could we infer from words thus solemn that it is a matter of small moment what we believe or what we teach? Precept and example should go hand in hand. The doctrinal truths of the Bible may be represented by the frame-work of a magnificent mansion, wisely planned, and securely built upon a sound foundation. The finishing of such a building by wise master builders, may represent the practical truths of God’s word when applied to the heart. And unless this mansion could have been furnished and made fit for us before the erection of the super-structure, I cannot conceive how one can be a well developed Christian, a bright and shining light, who is not well instructed from the word of God in those doctrines which lie at the very foundation of the Christian religion. We find Peter’s short sermon to the Gentiles, Acts 10:34–43, full of doctrine. The great principles of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ were clearly presented, and with most gratifying success. We further learn the object for which Paul was made a minister to the Gentiles—“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified.” “Great God! with wonder and with praise,
On all thy works I look;
But still thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brightest in thy book.”